Celebrating Democracy Week 2007

Being a Responsible Citizen ...

School events

During 15–21 August, schools around Australia celebrated our democracy with a wide range of activities supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Grants were awarded to schools in all education sectors around Australia. Reports showcasing Celebrating Democracy Week 2007 school events are available here.    

Reports on previous Celebrating Democracy Week events: 2005 and 2006.

Every Voice Counts! Student Forum

In the feature event for Celebrating Democracy Week 2007, 32 Year 10 and 11 students (four from each State and Territory) participated in Every Voice Counts!, a three-day student forum held in Canberra on 15-21 October. The forum considered the topic, 'Being a responsible citizen in Australia's democracy'. Over the three days, students had the opportunity to visit some of Australia's major cultural institutions, including the National Archives of Australia, the National Museum and the Australian Parliament (where they witnessed Question Time in the House of Representatives). Using the model of the Senate Committee system, the Every Voice Counts! students also contributed to the production of their own report, which considered the question, 'Being a Responsible Citizen'.

Individual students also wrote of their experiences in their own reports of the event. To read about their experiences, visit Every Voice Counts! 2007 – From the Students.