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Joanna Elliott, a pre-service teacher, discusses the concept of active citizenship in the context of sustainability. She explains that active citizenship involves taking responsibility and initiative in areas of public concern, particularly in environmental sustainability. Joanna provides an example of how this has been applied in Australia through the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative, which encourages students to manage resources and improve environmental performance. She also highlights the importance of storytelling as a powerful tool for advocating sustainability. Joanna discusses how Australian First Nations people historically embodied sustainable practices and active citizenship, and how their traditions continue to influence modern approaches. She emphasizes their connection to the land and their comprehensive understanding of sustainability. Joanna explains that educational approaches to teaching sustainability and active citizenship have evolved over time, with a gro Hey, welcome to Education Views Today, a segment of our show, a podcast where we dive deep into the heart of sustainability and active citizenship. I'm your host, Isabel, and today we're exploring the transformative power of individual and collective action in shaping a greener world. With us today is pre-service teacher, Joanna Elliott. Welcome, Joanna. She is a student studying all about what is involved in sustainability and active citizenship. Thank you for joining us, Joanna Elliott. It's a pleasure to be here, Isabel. So let's start with a fundamental question. How do you define active citizenship in the context of sustainability? Great first question. Active citizenship is about taking responsibility and initiative in areas of public concern, especially in environmental sustainability. It's not just about being aware of the issues, but also engaging in actions that drive positive change. Engaging in active citizenship for environmental sustainability can take many forms, such as advocating, volunteering, education, conservation, innovation, and collaboration. Well, that's a lot of shuns. Very insightful. Can you give us an example of how this has been applied in Australia's past? That's a difficult question. One notable example of sustainability and active citizenship in Australia is the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative. AUSSIE is a partnership of government, schools, and communities that aims to support schools in work towards a sustainable future. It encourages students to take an active role in managing their resources and improving their environmental performance. The initiative has been applied in various schools across Australia, fostering a culture of sustainability among young Australians. The program's success lies in its comprehensive approach, integrating environmental, financial, and social sustainability in school practices. It has led to significant outcomes, such as reduced waste, water conversation, and energy efficiency. Moreover, it has cultivated a sense of active citizenship among students, empowering them to take part in community actions like Clean Up Australia Day and local conservation projects. The sophisticated understanding demonstrated by AUSSIE reflects in its alignment with the Melbourne Declaration of Education Goals for Young Australians. This declaration emphasizes the importance of educating young people to become active and informed citizens who contribute positively to society and the environment. Fascinating! Now, considering there is vast literature on this topic, what are some of the key works that have influenced your understanding? A few key works that have influenced me are Gordon and Tudble, Tudble and Brett, and a video about If the World Were a Village of 100 People, a story about the world's people, and various others that are pivotal in the environmental movement and have been influential in discussing climate change and capitalism. Excellent choices. I remember when I first heard If the World Were a Village of 100 People, I could not believe the impact that that had upon me. Now, how can individuals harness oral techniques to advocate effectively for sustainability? Yet another great question. Storytelling is a powerful tool that has been used by many cultures, such as the Australian First Nations people. Sharing personal experiences and connecting them to global challenges can move people from apathy to action. Well, obviously, I find storytelling to be a useful tool. I am doing a podcast. But continuing on from what you were just talking about, where the Australian First Nations peoples are involved, storytelling has always been a huge part of their culture. Can you talk about what your thoughts are on how Australian First Nations people historically embodied sustainable practices and active citizenship within their communities? And in what ways do these traditions continue to influence modern approaches? Wow, you're really hitting me with the hard questions today, Isabel. Well, that's what we're here to find out. Do you really know your stuff? Well, the Australian First Nations people have a profound connection with the land, which is reflected in their sustainable practices and active citizenship. Their approach to sustainability is not just in environmental conservation, but also encompasses social and cultural dimensions, ensuring that well-being of both the land and its people. The best approaches to sustainability are historically First Nations communities practiced careful stewardship of the environment. They employed techniques such as fire stick farming, which involved controlled burns to clear undergrowth, promote new growth and prevent larger, more destructive fires. This practice supported the health of ecosystems and ensured the availability of resources. And today, many First Nations groups are involved in land management and conservation efforts. They bring traditional knowledge to contemporary environmental challenges, advocating for the protection of sacred sites and the sustainable use of natural resources. Now, active citizenship among First Nations peoples is evident in their advocacy for rights and recognition. This includes efforts to protect their land, culture and heritage through legal and political challenges. An example of the landmark Mabo case, which led to the recognition of native title in Australia. In conclusion, the Australian First Nations peoples approach to sustainability and active citizenship is deeply rooted in their cultural heritage. It is a comprehensive and sophisticated understanding that integrates respect for the environment with social justice and cultural prevention. Their practices and advocacy continue to influence broader Australian society towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. Wow. Aboriginal, Australia's First Nations peoples have forever shown and used sustainability practices. So how have educational approaches to teaching sustainability and active citizenship evolved over time? And what are the most effective strategies that educators can employ today to foster these concepts among students? Brilliant last question, Isabel. Historically, education for sustainability and active citizenship often took a backseat to more traditional academic subjects. However, global challenges such as climate change and social inequity have become more pressing. Educators have increasingly recognised the importance of integrating these topics into the curriculum. For those reasons, today there is a growing consensus that sustainability and active citizenship should be woven into the fabric of education at all levels. Effective strategies include project-based learning, where students tackle real world problems, service learning, which combines community services with classroom instruction, and participatory action research, where students investigate and act upon issues affecting their community. Moreover, the use of oral techniques such as storytelling, debate and persuasive speech allows educators to engage students emotionally and intellectually, fostering a sense of personal connection to global issues. This not only helps students to internalise the concepts of sustainability and active citizenship, but also equips them with the communication skills necessary to advocate for change. In conclusion, the evolution of educational approaches to sustainability and active citizenship reflects a broader shift towards more holistic and integrated forms of learning. By empowering a combination of project-based service and participatory methodologies, supported by a rich selection of literature and effective oral techniques, educators can cultivate information-engaged and proactive citizens ready to face the challenges of the 21st century. Wow, thank you Joanna for coming along and giving us those compelling insights. I'm just wondering, are you aware that St Lawrence is having a sustainable wetlands weekend in June? I am going to attend there. It would be so awesome to see you and your fellow students attend, especially those who care about the environment. And that's all for today's episode, folks. Remember, every small action counts towards a sustainable future. Until next time, stay green and stay engaged.