Projects

Global Connections Pilot: Evaluation/Partnership

As part of its youth participation strategy, Plan International Australia piloted the Global Connections project in 2005. The project aims to create links and understandings between young people in resource rich and resource poor (‘developed’ and ‘developing’) countries. In 2005, the AYRC evaluated the pilot, and in 2006 the Centre supported project staff in their internal evaluation of the project.

In this project, young people in Australian schools communicate and share stories with communities of young people in Indonesia. This exchange involves learning, participatory action, and new relationships.

In 2006, three groups in Indonesia with whom Plan International Indonesia already works in a community development capacity, and three schools in Australia, were involved. Young adults from RMIT’s International Studies Program have been centrally involved as facilitators of children’s groups in Australia, and have been key players in the ongoing design and implementation of the project and its evaluation.

Plan, teachers, universities, facilitators and young people are all recognised as learners in this exercise. A particular highlight has been the personal challenges and changes created by links between Australian high school students and a group of young people in prison in Indonesia.

The evaluations found that the project cuts through preconceived ideas, creates a sense of capacity in the young people to do things of value, and creates relationships within the groups and across national and religious borders.

Contact:  Ani Wierenga

Contact: wierenga@unimelb.edu.au