Taking Action

St Mark’s Anglican Community School, WA

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

There is a growing recognition of the importance of the principles of diversity, equity, justice and inclusion (DEJI) to the success of peacebuilding efforts around the world. It requires tackling head-on the challenges peacebuilders face and addressing important questions.

The St Mark’s Year 5 Global Citizenship Club did just this when they took part in an action project as MEG Global Citizenship Student Ambassadors last year. The project was aimed at addressing the problem of homelessness in our community, incorporating the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of No Poverty, No Hunger and Good Health and Wellbeing.

As part of their project, students had the opportunity to interact with members of the Grace Café, an Anglican organisation in Joondalup that provides meals, provisions and social connection to those in need. Relying solely on volunteers and donations to operate, Grace Café provides over 1,500 meals per year.

Through the School’s long-standing relationship and continued interactions with members of the Grace Café, the students explored essential topics such as leadership, advocacy, and the significance of volunteers. The discussions highlighted the tangible impact of the students’ contributions to individuals in need and helped guide the choice of activities for their action project.

Over the course of the year, the students drew on help from the School Community as well as beyond the school gates to collect pantry items and cook meals for the Grace Café, managed the collection of items to make hygiene bags, orchestrated the collection of buy back clothing donation bags and organised the yearly Christmas Toy Appeal. By engaging with Anglican agencies like the Grace Café, the students gained firsthand insights into the importance of supporting the community and the power of their collective actions in effecting change.

St Mark’s Learning Diversity and Inclusion Teacher (Y2Y8), Enrichment/Coordinator Learning Service and Global Citizenship (Primary School Y2-Y5) Tracey Toovey said every child’s voice had the power to shape the world.

“When students advocate for others, they create a symphony of compassion, justice, and change. Empowering primary school children to advocate for the poor is important because it cultivates empathy, fosters active citizenship, amplifies marginalised voices, develops critical thinking skills, and inspires long-term change,” Mrs Toovey said.

“It equips the next generation with the tools and mindset necessary to create a more compassionate and equitable world.”

The project has provided an invaluable learning experience for students, allowing them to recognise that not everyone enjoys the same resources and privileges. They developed a deeper appreciation for the power of student voice in driving meaningful change and cultivating empathy towards those facing homelessness. This initiative also emphasised the importance of being grateful for their own circumstances.