Promoting Active CitizenshipA new program for local people to explore citizenship and how democratic processes effect them and their community. By Latrobe City Council - 22nd November 2000 - Back to News An innovative new program, jointly sponsored by Latrobe City Council and Monash University, is providing opportunities for local people to explore aspects of citizenship and how democratic processes effect them and their community.
Mayor Cr Tony Hanning and Dr Mary Griffiths, Senior Lecturer in Mass Communications and Writing at Monash University officially launched the project at a function held at the Italian Australia Club.
“This project is quite unique in bringing together local government and the university to undertake research on what is means to be actively involved in the community, and has taken one step further in developing an internet website with links to other sites which explore citizenship”, said Cr Hanning.
Each person who attended the launch of ‘Active Citizens: Latrobe Region’ was presented with a mini CD Rom demonstration diskette which will enable those interested in the project to test out its capabilities.
Dr Griffiths said that the project team from Monash and the City are particularly interested in schools using the active citizenship website as part of their social studies and civics curriculum.
“Project workers Peter Farago and Alison Hart have been pulling together material that is both thought provoking and interesting to the user. We hope to further develop the site so that it is interactive, with students and others eventually being able to engage in discussions about citizenship and democracy issues over the internet.”
Council’s information technology project officer, Bill Haigh has done much of the technical website development. He and the project team have been particularly keen to make the site user friendly, informative and able to provide links with other related sites,” said Dr Griffiths.
“A considerable amount of work has also gone into developing curriculum materials which can be adapted for use in schools and adult education facilities. Community groups who have a role in promoting citizenship activities will also be able to access resources from the website,” Dr Griffiths concluded.
The ‘Active Citizens: Latrobe Region’ website can be accessed through Latrobe City’s internet website at www.latrobe.vic.gov.au. The user should choose the active citizenship project option on the webpage. People interested in finding out more about the project can contact Peter Farago at Monash University on 5122 6200 or Julie Hocking at Latrobe City on 1300 367700.
Media Enquiries:
Cr. Tony Hanning, Mayor, Latrobe City
tel. 0417 373 577
Cr. Brendan Jenkins, Deputy Mayor, Latrobe City
tel. 0417 374 590
Ms. Penny Holloway, Chief Executive Officer,
tel. 5173 1401 or 0417 557 103
Jeremy Bein, Public Relations and Communications Officer,
tel. 5173 1468
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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