Celebrating Democracy Week 2006

Civics and citizenship education for a harmonious democracy ...

School events

During 18–24 October 2006, schools around Australia celebrated our democracy with a wide range of activities supported by funding from the then Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training. Grants were awarded to schools in all education sectors around Australia. Reports showcasing Celebrating Democracy Week 2006 school events are available here.   

Every Voice Counts! Student Forum

In the feature event for Celebrating Democracy Week 2006, thirty-two years 10 and 11 students, four from each State and Territory, participated in Every Voice Counts!, a three-day student forum which was held in Canberra from 18 to 20 October. The forum considered the topic: 'Living harmoniously in our democracy. How young people can influence the future of our democracy'. Over the three days students had the opportunity to visit some of Australia's major cultural institutions, as well as the Australian Parliament where they participated in the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters Inquiry into Civics and Electoral Education. Using the model of the Senate Committee system, the Every Voice Counts! students contributed to the production of their own report which considered the question: 'Living harmoniously in our democracy. How young people can influence the future of our democracy'.

Individual students also wrote of their experiences in their own reports of the event. To read about their experiences, visit Every Voice Counts! 2006 – From the Students.