Youth Environment Network (YEN) - Sydney Region

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The YEN is a new initiative for Sydney Region in 2008 to foster the development of environmentally responsible citizenship through student leadership programs.

The purpose of the YEN is to support the student body within the school to focus on ecological sustainability issues and be vocal and active citizens with a charter to:
  • strengthen existing environmental clubs/networks that may already be established in the school
  • present youth perspectives to adults and decision makers
  • encourage young people to take leadership initiatives for ecological sustainability outcomes
  • undertake a mentoring support role with local primary schools through a learning community focus on good practice in ecological sustainability
  • contribute to regional and state initiatives for ecological sustainability
The student network has been developing throughout the year with working party and steering committee meetings.  
Projects for 2009

  1. Ultra Eco Tour - A tour of a number of high schools to showcase student-driven sustainability projects and will also include a visit to the Energy Efficiency Centre, Homebush - Northern Sydney Region - Monday 18th May, 2009.
  2. Watch our Watts Pilots - trials to begin in May, 2009.
  3. Beyond Earth Hour Challenge 2009 - More information will appear soon.
             

The Inaugural Sydney Region - Youth Environment Network Annual Conference 

Monday 8th September, 2008.  

Head Office, Department of Education Bridge St Sydney. 

Proudly supported by Energy Australia.

Photos from the day are shown below
a
Students playing Carbonopoly which is a simulation game to introduce the concept of carbon trading.

 b
Dr Andy Pittman, the Co-Director of the UNSW Centre for Climate Change, addressing students about the impact of climate change.
c
Students identifying the wattage of various appliances in the Watts Workout game

 d
The Sydney Girls High School team drafting their "Beyond Earth Hour Challenge" action plan
e
Canterbury Boys High School working on their schools energy efficiency plan for the Beyond Earth Hour Challenge
 f
Students playing Carbonopoly


The theme for the conference was 'Climate Change - The Power Shift' and workshops focused on student led initiatives to increase energy efficiency to reduce the school's carbon footprint.

A SCHOOL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT WAS LAUNCHED AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE -
The theme for the annual conference was 'Climate Change: The Power Shift'. Following on from the conference, schools will be invited to take part in an environmental challenge activity. The school achieving the greatest reduction in their electricity consumption will win the challenge. 

As part of the Energy Efficiency project, each team will be able to access their school's daily energy consumption data. This data is available on a website from Energy Australia at www.webgraphs.com.au. Further information can be found in the following pdf document. 
Web graph quick start guide. Please note that only a limited number of reports will be available to participating schools.  

This project is proudly supported by Energy Australia.



Brief history of the YEN in photos


group shot
Members of the first working party at Observatory Hill EEC

 Schools contributing to the network so far include:
Alexandria Park CS
Blakehurst HS
Burwood GHS
Caringbah HS
Canterbury GHS
Engadine HS 		Oatley Campus Fort St HS
Georges River College -
Penshurst Campus
Gymea Technical HS
Heathcote HS
Jannali HS
Kogarah HS
Menai HS
Moorefield GHS		 Westpac
Newtown HSPA
Randwick GHS
St George GHS
Sydney GHS
Sydney Secondary
College - Balmain
Sydney Secondary
College - Blackwattle 
Sydney Technical HS
Sylvania HS
Tempe HS
Steering Committe Meeting - Georges River College Oatley Steering Committee - Westpac Bank.

Images from the Steering Committee meetings.

St george 2 St George 3 westpac 1
School Presentations at Oatley Campus Group Work - Oatley Campus Students outlining their school environmental initiatives - Westpac Bank
westpac game
Capacity building workshop - Westpac Bank

A student planning committee will be working on ideas, strategies and events for the network posted for 2009. If students in Sydney Region would like to assist the committee with any suggestions please use the students page in the SR Youth Environment Network Wiki at http://yen-sr.wikispaces.com

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