Youth Peace Initiative

Biamunga – The Journey to Learning

Location: On campus in North Sydney & in the Mutitjulu Community, near Uluru, Northern Territory.

Issue/Cause: We live on one land and yet it's almost as though we live in different societies, creating false and unfounded prejudices against one another. We are trapped by the divisions that we've created for ourselves and so we keep pushing back further and further the realisation of the obvious: we are all human and, in this land, we are all Australians.

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'"By wanting to be there we were demonstrating the little things that lean towards Peace for Australians.”'

-Isabel, Monte Sant Angelo student.

Description

Two students prepared a submission and received a grant for $5000 as part of the Irene McCormack Social Justice Award. This is a student grant, it ensured that student involvement was integral to the process. A student then established contact with the Mutitjulu Community members and those working with the Community. Together negotiations were made as to how we could contribute to the community. The school donated sports balls and a ball pump was purchased with some of the grant money. During our visit we were involved in working at the Mutitjulu Child Care Centre within the Community, cleaning, repairing books, decorating the inside, and preparing lunchtime meals. Our main contribution, though, was not in giving members of the community possessions but rather in making contact with the children. Our goal was to prove to them, and to ourselves, that we are all just the same.

School/TAFE/Institution

Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College, Grades 7 to 12

Cause

Supporting Marginalised Groups

Peace Link

For the girls that went on the trip, the most important part was simply being there. Our contribution was in building relationships with the members of the Community and especially the children. By wanting to be there we were demonstrating the little things that lean towards Peace for Australians. Having real human contact and simply spending time together has the power to transform any negative assumptions we and they might hold. The trips are about learning through experience that there are very real barriers that separate and marginalise parts of our society and the first step to breaking them down is recognising their existence.

Successes

Seeing rather than guessing was a success in itself as it has given us the ability to spread our stories to those around us, increasing awareness and encouraging others to become involved in similar initiatives.

Future Plans

We plan to continue trips to Mutitjulu, at a time and pace that meet the needs of the Community. Students are currently investigating a joint art project that will facilitate possible income for the Community in the spirit of Ngapartji Ngapartji - reciprocity.

Other Peace Work

Video


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One Comments & Questions for “Biamunga – The Journey to Learning”

  1. 1
    jocks says:
    November 25, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    this project is extremely cool. i have an urge to go to northern territory so bad. i want to know more about Aborigines and their culture and values. you guys are doing such a great job. and yes, people often think outside the square… when really… there are people here, in our country who are living in unfortunate conditions as well. it is important to acknowledge the Aborigines as equal Australians who deserve land and recognition as much as we do.
    not just money… but they need to feel like they belong…

    jocks.