Young people strive for a fairer world

A Fairer World’s “Just One…” program recently concluded a four-step program at Hobart High School.

“Just One…” is a diversity and inclusion program made for Tasmanian schools. The program harnesses the power of storytelling by using lived experience advocates (called “Human Books”) that have suffered discrimination or exclusion.

Over the course of “Just One…” students learn how to make effective changes in the culture of the school to be more inclusive and accepting.

At the final Hobart High School session of “Just One…” students and teachers spoke about how they were implementing change in their school.

A group of students spoke about how they were being more considerate of how their language and actions can affect others, and how they can show support for marginalised members of the school’s community.

“I was watching the students looking at the work they had done, and for a bunch of grade sevens they were all looking, leaning forward and engaged,” A Fairer World educational leader Jodie Epper said.

“It was beautiful to hear their personal changes, and the school talking about the institutional changes. Inclusion requires more than just talk, it requires action, so it was great to hear both from both sides of the school.”

Ruzina Dahal, one of the Human Books involved in the program said the students had been very engaged.

“They asked a lot of questions, and I feel like the emotional maturity of the students has been excellent,” she said.

TCF Chairperson Sally Darke said the work being done by A Fairer World is making the school system more accessible, breaking down barriers to education for some students.

“When people feel accepted, they are able to engage more positively in life and for students, it means they can focus on their education,” she said.

We are proud to have funded such a great initiative that is breaking down barriers to education.”