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La Trobe University Centre for Dialogue |
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Leadership Training Program for Young MuslimsCentre for Dialogue – La Trobe University and the Islamic Council of Victoria With support from the Victorian GovernmentThe Leadership Training Program for young Muslims (May-July 2007) is a new initiative of the Centre for Dialogue at La Trobe University, and the Islamic Council of Victoria. The government of Victoria has been generous in its support for this program. Of the many challenges we face as a nation, none is more important than that of making this society one which values and nurtures its rich cultural and religious diversity. Australia's Muslim communities, representing one of the world's great religious traditions, have much to contribute. Muslims have been integral to Australia's development since early settlement.
In recent years much has been said about a looming ‘clash of civilisations’ between Islam and the West. The ‘war on terror’ is being fought mainly in nations where Islam is the majority religion. Australian Muslims have themselves been subjected to powerful pressures and often les than flattering media attention. There is a need for young Muslim leaders who can speak clearly and confidently about the various issues which confront people of Islamic Faith in Australia today, and who can participate fully in shaping Australia's future. This leadership training program aims to empower young Muslim men and women and help them to reach their full potential as citizens and future leaders. It gives course members an opportunity to meet and talk with decision makers in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne. The group of twenty young Muslims between the ages of eighteen and thirty were chosen by interview, from sixty five applicants. They flew to Canberra, where they had robust discussions with Federal parliamentarians, a judge of the High Court, visited the Australian National University and were briefed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Syrian Ambassador was also a gracious host at a dinner in their honour. The Sydney component of the program was hosted by the Australian Catholic University and Affinity Intercultural Foundation. A series of workshops were held involving Muslim participants engaging with Catholic students, Aboriginal community leaders, a visual artist and a panel of invited guests who had all been leaders in their communities. The young Muslims were hosted by the local community in their own homes each evening.
In Melbourne, a full program began an all day media workshop at SBS, and a discussion with economists at the headquarters of the ANZ Bank. We were hosted by Victorian members on a visit to the State Parliament and had open and frank discussions with the Victorian community policing unit, local Councilors, trade union officials, lawyers, journalists, and representatives from various multi-cultural bodies. The learning in Melbourne was particularly intense and exciting. This is because the twenty young leaders joined sixty two other participants for the final six weeks of a ‘Ten Week Course’ which aims at developing a socio-political framework for understanding the national and global issues confronting Australia. This highly interactive course is taught by Professor Joseph Camilleri and Larry Marshall from the Centre for Dialogue, and is entitled “Our World in Crisis”. It relies on many experts across issues such as poverty and development, the environment, trade and foreign debt, and the dialogue of civilizations. This Leadership Training Program for Young Muslims thus involved workshops, seminars, lectures, field trips, debates, assignments and interviews with prominent decision makers. They left an indelible mark as they traveled through the community of decision makers with their vibrant energy and probing questions. Along the way these young leaders further developed the skills they need to engage confidently and creatively with all levels of government, business, academia, the professional world, the media, and religious and community organizations.
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