Bond University’s student initiative the “One Goal, One Community: moving beyond bullying and empowering for life” program will be the subject of discussion at the final Bond Talks event for 2011.
The Gold Coast-based ‘One Goal, One Community’ program was developed by Dr Amy Kenworthy, the Director of the Bond University Centre for Applied Research in Learning, Engagement, Pedagogy and Andragogy (LEAP) and is led by Bond University students and alumni.
The primary goal of the initiative is to engage members from all corners of our community in conversations about bullying explained Dr Kenworthy.
“We have tens of thousands of students, parents, school staff and other community members from schools across Australia and the United States taking part in the program; with our partners we are all taking a stand against bullying by learning about ways to identify and safely yet effectively address bullying, talking openly about issues related to bullying and making a commitment to engage in positive anti-bullying behaviour,” said Dr Kenworthy
“Participants wear ‘One Goal’ wristbands as demonstration of the pledge they have each made to each other through the program.”
In the past eighteen months, the program has grown to include 35 schools on two continents. There are ‘One Goal’ partnerships with primary and secondary schools in five Australian states (including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia) and the Australian Capital Territory as well as two regions in the United States.
To date, over 50,000 people have made commitments to engage in positive anti-bullying behaviours as a result of this program.
The Bond Talks presentation will showcase the materials and achievements of the international program including the premiere of two new “One Goal” videos. Bond University Faculty experts will also be presenting the latest research on workplace bullying and issues related to cyber communication.
To find out more about the program head to the Cerum Theatre on November 29, to listen to Dr Kenworthy, her expert colleagues and her student leaders discuss the history and future of the program.