CQUniversity Australia's representative on the recent Australia and India Universities Youth Forum, Jackie Dempsey reports that she had a "wonderful time" and gained valuable ideas and strategies.

Ms Dempsey is a third-year Bachelor of Learning Management student based at CQU Bundaberg, who hopes to become a primary school teacher. She worked in administration in Brisbane for 20 years before moving to Bundaberg to pursue her studies a few years ago.

Jackie Dempsey ... back from the forum

"The biggest thing I got out of the forum was that ecological sustainability is achievable," Jackie said.

"We don't have to preach and dwell on the gloom and doom.  Rather we can take action, just small steps like shorter showers, installing water saving devices, using public transport, recycling and changing to low-energy light bulbs are things that everyone can do and it will make a difference."

Other highlights of the forum included:

- a trek to Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains with ecological guides;
 
- an inspirational 3-day sustainability workshop focused on ways to make a difference and including presentation and teaching strategies;

- the opportunity to meet Larissa Brown, the founder and executive director of the Centre for Sustainability;

- a visit to the University of Technology Sydney's Institue for Sustainable Futures (ISF) to examine alternative energy sources and current projects. 
The group photo courtesy the forum blog
 
"At the University of New South Wales we met Professor Veena Sahajwalta, who gave us an insight into her career and UNSW," Jackie said.

"In groups, we presented our solutions to a given topic before a panel of experts, in the style of the New Inventors show.  This was heaps of fun and the feedback we received was valuable. 
 
"In Canberra we had a wonderful day visiting Mullon Creek Natural Farms.  The hosts made us feel very welcome and showed us around their farm, explaining their biodynamic system of agriculture.
 
"Our 3-day trek in the Outback was amazing.  We walked around the base of Uluru, hiked Kings Canyon and looked at fossil fields and cave paintings at Oak Valley.  Sleeping in swags in -5 degrees was cold though.

 

One of the highlights - courtesy of the forum blog
 
"Our last stop was the Charles Darwin University where we presented our ideas to the Australian Association for Environmental Education Conference.  We stayed with them for the day and participated in their workshops. 
 
"All of this was mixed with much sightseeing and social activities.  I made heaps of great friends from both India and Australia and was really grateful to have been a part of the forum.

"A big thanks to IDP Education for organising and sponsoring the forum."

Photos and information about the forum can be viewed at www.aiuyf.blogspot.com 
 
The AIUYF was developed and funded by IDP Education Australia Ltd, an organisation owned by 38 Australian universities undertaking activities to support international education.

The project aims to develop links and foster understanding and dialogue between Australian and Indian students by establishing a program of focused engagement for Australian higher education institutions with similar institutions in India.