Alana was equally enthusiastic about her learning in Russia, and began by pointing out the huge size of the country - Vladivostok is one hour ahead of Canberra while the western extremity of Russia is 8 hours behind. She described her visit as a ‘life-changing experience’ which gave her valuable insights into Russian values and lifestyle, and the economic turmoil and amazing amount of development Russia has achieved over the last 10 years. Alana illustrated her presentation with images of Moscow, including the ‘rocket memorial’ to Russian astronauts and her visit to a space research institute.

Kim and Alana both had clearly gained a great deal from their NYSF experience, and will have much to contribute when they return as staff members next year. Scott C, who will be a participant in NYSF this year, also spoke briefly about his background and expectations.
And a footnote……. in introducing the speakers Ainslie mentioned that the NYSF, then known as the NSSS (National Science Summer School) was the very first youth activity which Canberra Sunrise ever became involved in. Ian S and Keith H attended the January 1994 Dinner, and came back to the club very enthusiastic about the program. (Keith apparently had a mind expanding experience there.) Little did they know that a future member of Canberra Sunrise was in the dinner audience that evening. Stuart C, one of our newest members, was an NSSS participant in 1994.

This is the first time the event, is being held outside the United States – and it will be the biggest event ever held in Ireland. It will bring together 7,000 athletes with learning disabilities, organised in 166 delegations coming from all over the world. The athletes will be accompanied by 3,000 coaches and officials and 28,000 members of family and friends – and they will be watched by an estimated 500,000 spectators! The athletes will compete in 21 sports, and three demonstration sports.

This time, Kylie will be playing tennis – a change from last time, when she won a gold medal in swimming. Kylie, who says she loves going new places, and meeting interesting people, was one of the first children with Down Syndrome to be integrated into the mainstream education system. She spoke to us in her capacity as Down Syndrome Awareness Spokesperson of the ACT Down Syndrome Association. The Association provides support and information to families with a member who has Down syndrome, and promotes improvements in the quality of life of persons with Down syndrome. It also aims to stimulate an awareness of the very real abilities and needs of people with Down syndrome, within the wider community. As both spokesperson and athlete, Kylie exemplifies the courage and spirit of the Athletes Oath, and RC Canberra Sunrise wishes her every success and satisfaction in Ireland, and beyond.

The inquiry report by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training - “Boys: Getting it Right” - was published in October 2002. Mr Bartlett outlined the background to the inquiry, the growing concern about boys’ relative under-achievement in education, and the complex causes of this. He noted that the inquiry attracted 202 submissions, and took 1334 pages of public evidence, which overall pointed to a gradually widening gap between boys and girls in terms of their educational achievement levels, over two decades. He also noted the concern of the Inquiry to do nothing that might undo the gains for girls in that time.
Indicators of relative underachievement of boys include high school retention rates (78% of girls stay to year 12 as opposed to 67% of boys), rates of entry to university (56% of girls versus 44% of boys), and the difference in HSC results, where average scores of boys declined by 20 points between 1991 (no difference in scores) and 1995. Boys make up 80% of all school expulsions.

Not all of the submissions supported the view that the difference in achievement levels was a cause for concern. However the weight of evidence points to poor school performance translating into later social impacts such as higher unemployment, lower rates of university participation, suicide rates up to four times higher, problems with drug abuse, and increased levels of juvenile detention. The economic burden of each boy who fails to complete school is considerable. The causes of the shift in relative school performance are complex and multiple, including changing attitudes to gender issues; rise of feminism and changing perceptions of the roles of boys and men in society; impacts of gender equity initiatives on boys’ self-esteem; media stereotypes of the role of males (such as ‘The Simpsons’); levels and effects of family breakdown; and the small proportion of men amongst primary school teachers (21% are men). As a consequence many boys lack male role models, and they may also be disadvantaged by assessment methods based on literary or linguistic skills. Two-thirds of children in reading recovery programs are boys.

From 30 September to 8 October 2001 Lianne was a delegate to the Commonwealth Youth Forum held at the Gold Coast (timed to coincide with CHOGM which was cancelled). Most of the other 51 Commonwealth countries sent 2 delegates. The aim of the Forum was to enable young people to share an understanding of their cultures, learn about the role of young people in the Commonwealth in the 21st century, and identify development strategies for the communities of each Commonwealth country. Delegates were expected to promote the outcomes of their discussions in their home countries, and benefit from the social opportunity to experience Australian culture and lifestyle. The Australian delegates held a preparatory workshop in Sydney which led to the development of many new friendships – Lianne’s are still very active more than a year later – and provided an opportunity to visit some local businesses. Lianne’s experiences led her to become less materialistic, and think more about her life direction. As a result she changed the direction of her career. Lianne concluded with her ‘main lesson’ from RYLA (learned through firewalking!) –“with a clear and focussed goal, you can achieve your dreams”

Christine Lymbery shared some of her impressions and experiences from participation in RYLA at Pelican Sheep Station from 11 to 18 January 2003. She thought RYLA offered many educational experiences and opportunities to meet interesting people, and was a great learning experience (especially the mock elections).