Bulletin

Issue: September/October 2007

News

La Trobe ‘global citizens’ tackle climate issue

Four students from La Trobe University visited Japan in August for the International Network of Universities’ (INU) Student Seminar on Global Citizenship in Hiroshima.

The INU brings together 12 universities from nine countries to enhance opportunities for students to develop an international network of career and study paths.

The year’s seminar focused on ‘Climate Change – a Global Issue’. It explored the scope of climate change, its causes and affects, the KYO TO protocol and the politics behind responses to climate change. Dusk Richardson, who is studying a Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology), said she was interested in learning about global citizenship and climate change through the eyes and approach of different cultures.

‘It was an amazing opportunity to attend the seminar. I want to do honours, or a postgrad in development studies. Ultimately, I want to be involved in community development in Melbourne and around the world.”

Jolene Elliott, who is studying a Bachelor of International Relations, was selected for her peace studies major which had many links to seminar topics.

‘I’m grateful to La Trobe and the INU,’ said Ms Elliott. ‘It was exciting to meet people from all over the world with diverse backgrounds and study areas.

‘The seminar helped broaden my ideas about what I can do when I finish my degree at La Trobe. I gained more insight into global environmental issues, particularly the different ways climate change is impacting other countries, and how we can work together, on a nation-tonation level, and also as individuals and groups, to fix them.’

‘I have long loved the idea of global citizenship, and have been able to learn and contribute towards eventually realising this ideal,’ she said.

Aran Martin, who is studying a Bachelor of International Relations (Honours), said he gained a far wider understanding of climate change as an international issue. ‘I have built valuable networks with like-minded students and seminar participants, and furthered my cross cultural skills,’ he said.

‘La Trobe’s INU membership has been crucial in granting me the opportunity to travel to Japan and attend such a timely seminar event. Through this, I have gained a far greater understanding of the opportunities which abound for Australian students in East Asia, for both work and study.’

The fourth student involved was David Lee, a Bachelor of Law/ Arts student who has been on exchange in Japan for 12 months.