Use Your Outside Voice! Young changemakers by Willhemina Wahlin

USE YOUR

OUTSIDE OUTSIDE VOICE!

young changemakers

JUSTICE AUSTRALIA

PROOF

Media for Social JusticeÂ©

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I n particular, we would like to pay our respects to the Birpai people of the Port Macquarie-Hastings area, whose country we gratefully met on each day for the Picture Justice Australia program.

Thank you to Lucilla Marshall, Sandra Wallace and Skye Frost from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, and to the following organisations that supported the Picture Justice Australia program in 2019.

BANDWAGON

Charles Sturt University’s Human Research Ethics Committee has approved this project. If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the Committee on (02) 6933 4213, or via email: ethics@csu.edu.au. Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully, and you will be informed of the outcome. School of Communication and Creative Industries Faculty of Arts and Education Charles Sturt University School of Design Faculty of Health, Arts & Design Swinburne University of Technology SERAP Approval: 2018843 HERC Protocol: H19001 The Picture Justice Australia program was made possible through funding from Charles Sturt University’s Faculty of Arts and Education’s Compact Funding Scheme, Port MacquarieHastings Council, Swinburne University of Technology and The Whitlam Institute.

©2020 Willhemina Wahlin, Christopher Orchard, Belinda Paulovich, Jessica Green, Melissa Streater and Cymbeline Buhler. Charles Sturt University 7 Major Innes Rd Port Macquarie NSW 2444 ISBN: 978-1-86-467374-6

CONTENTS Why Picture Justice Australia? 4 The workshops: A unique approach to embedding the Design Thinking methodology

4-5

Use Your Outside Voice! 6 About Picture Justice 2019 7 Environmental sustainability 8-9 Fast Fashion 10-11 Social equity and cohesion: Making connections

12-13

Equity in leadership 14-15 The ripple effect 16-17 The ripple effect in action: Three steps to changemaking

18-19

WORKSHOP FACILITATORS Dr Willhemina Wahlin | Lecturer in Design | Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie Christopher Orchard | Lecturer in Photography | Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga Dr Belinda Paulovich | Lecturer in Design | Swinburne University of Technology Cymbeline Buhler | The Whitlam Institute in Western Sydney University Jenna Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell and Mariane Power | The Posify Group

WHY PICTURE JUSTICE AUSTRALIA? Picture Justice Australia is a joint research project between Charles Sturt University and Swinburne University of Technology, with support from The Whitlam Institute, PROOF: Media for Social Justice and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. The project investigates the role of multidisciplinary, creative practices as a path for engaging young regional Australians with ‘community, citizenry and processes of democracy’. This study is timely and important. During the 2013 federal election, there were 400,000 people between the ages of 18-24 who were not enrolled to vote. Despite this number significantly improving during the 2016 election to 254,432, the particpation rate of 86.7% was markedly lower than the overall participation of 95%. Additionally, almost half of all 18 year olds were not enrolled to vote prior to the 2016 election.1 The Youth Electoral Study 2006-2009 revealed that the 18-24 age demographic has historically and consistently had lower enrolment percentages than older demographics.2 However, this study also revealed that young people engage in political and social activism through a variety of other means, such as social media and democratic forms of protest, indicating that their notion of citizenry is at variance to older Australians. The Picture Justice Australia project wants to understand what is important to young regional Australians, how they engage in civic activities, and whether, through the workshop program, their capacity for civic engagement can be enhanced. As the work included in the Use Your Own Voice! exhibition demonstrates, young regional Australians have a lot to offer our communities, and can be articulate and passionate about a range of issues that can have a long-term impact on their futures. 1 Australian Electoral Commission. (2016, 11 August). 2016 federal election: Key facts and figures. Retrieved 8 January, 22020, from https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/Federal_Elections/2016/key-facts.htm 2 Edwards, K., Saha, L. J., & Print, M. (2006). Youth Electoral Study: Report 3: Youth, the family, and learning about politics and voting. Canberra: Australian Electoral Commission.

THE WORKSHOPS: A UNIQUE APPROACH TO EMBEDDING THE DESIGN THINKING METHODOLOGY The Picture Justice Australia program places the Design Thinking methodology at its heart. We believe that empathy-led, collaborative problem-solving skills are vital for our young people to develop for their futures. In recent decades, Design Thinking has been adopted by an increasing number of disciplines outside of the design field, from corporations who use it to improve services and products, to governments that want to future-proof policies. It does this by allowing people to explore a variety of different solutions, based on research and with minimal risk. Design Thinking has also been employed to help tackle some of the ‘wicked problems’ of our communities, such as poverty and sustainability, and drive innovation. Picture Justice Australia integrates Design Thinking across the program. The steps of the methodology are coupled with a curated series of expert-led workshops from a range of fields. In the case of Use Your Outside Voice!, the workshop structure was developed based on the central theme of ‘community, citizenry and processes of democracy’. Picture Justice Australia is designed to be flexible and welcome facilitators from a wide range of fields. The theme can be changed, and with it, the types of workshops that can be developed. 4

Want to learn more about Design Thinking? Try these sites: https://designthinking.ideo.com/ https://designthinkingforeducators.com/

Empathise This stage of Design Thinking was nurtured through a combination of civics education and talks with community leaders. The civics workshop enabled participants to explore democratic processes, and provided practical pathways to civic engagement. This was followed up with a talk from local government representatives, who outlined opportunities for civic engagement at a grassroots level. Participants later discussed what they had learned, which allowed them the opportunity to share their own vision for their community with each other. Define Ethical interviewing and narrative development were used as a pathway for helping participants to define the problems and opportunities of their local community. Participants were taught practical interviewing skills that included open and closed question development, interpersonal communication and active

listening. They also developed their skills in the documentation of interviews. Narrative development saw them analyse the transcripts of their interviews and identify common topics and underlying themes that emerged. This is the stage during which the idea of ‘changmaking’ emerged as an overall topic. Ideate The themes that emerged from narrative development were linked to a workshop on photography for storytelling, which not only focused on practical camera skills, but also how to integrate image-making as part of a narrative. The workshop also included a ‘Vision 2030’ exercise, which encouraged participants to collaboratively ideate future scenarios for their community.

began with a ‘yard sale’: all images that had been photographed, as well as the material from the narrative development workshop, were laid out on tables and assessed by all participants. This was followed by experimenting with image-making and story editing. These were all brought together in a projected exhibition that was shown at ArtWalk Port Macquarie 2019. Evaluation Sharing and reflection was undertaken throughout the program: at the beginning and end of each day, as well as at the end of the program, when the work created was also discussed. This allowed participants to engage in the iterative processes of design, and also the openended nature of design ‘problems’.

Prototype Gathering together all of the material the participants had created in the previous workshops, the prototyping stage focused on story editing. This

EMPATHISE

DEFINE

IDEATE

PROTOTYPE

EVALUATE

INTRODUCTION TO CIVICS

ETHICAL INTERVIEWING

NARRATIVE DEVELOPMENT

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STORYTELLING

STORY EDITING

TALKS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS

NARRATIVE DEVELOPMENT

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STORYTELLING

STORY EDITING

SHARING AND REFLECTION

USE YOUR OUTSIDE VOICE! In a rapidly changing world, how do we identify and address the immensity of issues coming to the surface? What role do young thinkers play within the local and global community? Civics and citizenship is more than just political knowledge. It’s an active engagement with the world around us. It’s time to make a change, to use your outside voice. It’s easy to buy into the typical image of our youth: apathetic, disengaged, social media obsessed. But the truth is much livelier. Young people are passionate, aware and active members of our community, ready to be empowered. So, what does it mean to be a changemaker? The issues we face today in our communities and global environment are challenging. The scale of our environmental damage and social issues can be overwhelming. There is no simple solution, but by building our skillsets and thinking together, we can turn small, real changes into big differences. This exhibition is the result of the work of ten participants of the Picture Justice Australia program. Empowered through Design Thinking to address what it means to be an active citizen in their communities, they took part in an immersive, creative workshop program that included photography, design, ethical interviewing, civics education, narrative development and story editing. These storytelling and problem-solving skills supported their understanding of changemaking. We want to share their journey – and their ideas – with you. Their journey and growth demonstrates that our problems, no matter how big, have solutions – we just need to start small. Awareness is the initial drop in the lake. The ripples of small individual actions grow into big collective waves of positive change.

Check out the projected exhibition that was shown art ArtWalk Port Macquarie 2019 here! https://youtu.be/8dva0KNov4k

Use Your Outside Voice! can also be viewed online! Go to https:// www.designpracticeresearch. org/ pja-2019-exhibition

ABOUT: PICTURE JUSTICE AUSTRALIA 2019 The Picture Justice Australia (PJA) program is a unique approach to encouraging young upstanders within our community. Its aim is to provide both creative and critical thinking skills to young regional Australians, delivered by experts in design, photography, journalism, and civics education. But PJA isn’t just about providing skills – it’s also about providing a platform for young people to tell us what is important to them. In 2019, a five-day program was run in the Design Lab at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Port Macquarie. With the theme of ‘community, citizenry and the processes of democracy’, students from local high schools and CSU worked together to discuss issues within the community, and respond through storytelling. One overarching theme emerged from the 2019 program: that changemaking is not only possible, it’s something that everyone can do. From this, the participants explored a range of topics that interested them. These are highlighted in the pages that follow. Where it all began Picture Justice is an education program that was created in 2014 by the New York-based non-profit organisation, PROOF: Media for Social Justice. Over the last 5 years, Picture Justice has been run in a number of public schools in Brooklyn, as well as the United Nations International School, and Avenues World School in Manhattan. The Picture Justice Australia program is an adaptation of this program for regional Australia. Visit proof.org to learn more.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY A core concern to come out of the PJA program is environmental sustainability and single-use plastics, and what they mean for our coastal communities, the Australian environment and on a global scale for the planet and climate change. The wealth of research and information available on the issue is staggering, yet there is still divide and debate among people and government on what we should do, if anything. Plastic pollution kills wildlife, damages natural ecosystems and contributes to climate change, with the increased production and incineration of waste plastic contributing a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The waste from single-use plastics is a massive concern. 75% of all plastic ever produced is now waste. 32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually ends up in our oceans. Ocean plastic leakage is expected to continually rise as growth in plastic consumption outstrips the growth in waste management. Globally, 500 billion disposable cups are consumed every year, another item we can easily avoid consuming. Australia in particular dumps 36,700 tonnes of plastic bags into our landfill every year, or 4,000 bags a minute. We need to continue improving our habits with reusable, non-plastic shopping bags to reduce this. So far, the Coastal Warriors Mid North Coast have collected 73,845 pieces of litter from our beaches and waterways in just two years. The Picture Justice program revealed that participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concern and passion for these issues is immense. It also revealed that the solutions to these problems begin with us and our consumer habits. However, there is also a rallying call for councils and governments to further take action within the legal and political spheres.

I think one of the things that could do is

biggest

our community

environmental-

single-use plastics, and the way that our small community and our council have the

power to transform to more sustainable and

ethicalmethods.

– Tahli Enfield, PJA Participant

I can’t imagine any

ethical reason for not

taking action taking while we can.

– Kirby Orme, PJA Participant

13000

FAST FASHION Fast fashion is coming into the spotlight as a major global issue in the context of environmental sustainability and social wellbeing. In our image driven world, we are constantly updating our wardrobe, looking for the most relevant fashions that we can afford to regularly buy into. Fast fashion makes this possible for everyone. Clothing is produced through cheap labour and updated online and in stores almost daily, ready for our cheap and fast consumption. However, there is a massive environmental and human cost to this method of consumption, due to the very short practical service life of the clothes and the working conditions in which they are produced. The environmental impact is measurably huge on a global and local scale. In terms of emissions, textile production produces 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more than international flights and maritime shipping. The industry also produces 20% of global wastewater. Waste from the industry is also a major concern with almost 60% of all clothing produced being disposed of within a year of production, equating to one rubbish truck per second to landfill. In Australia, we send 85% of the textiles we buy to landfill every year, with some synthetic fibres taking an estimated 1000 years to biodegrade. Whilst fast fashion is an issue of enormous scale, the PJA program has highlighted that this is one we can all do something about. Most of us find it easy to utilise the fast fashion industry to keep up with trends on our tight budgets, but small individual changes, such as consciously choosing sustainable fibres, shopping with proven ethical brands, and repairing clothes, can all play a significant role in reducing clothing waste. Community efforts, such as clothing swaps, rental events and repair workshops, are not only what is needed to solve this problem from the ground up, but also help to bring people together to share resources.

Fast Fast fashion fashion

is an issue that can be addressed by refocusing consumers mindsets to

buying less and buying

mending more. mending more. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gabriella Chan, PJA Participant

Photograph and jacket by Gabriella Chan

Mel Streater, PJA Participant

SOCIAL EQUITY AND COHESION: MAKING CONNECTIONS A big concern within our society is how to support the most vulnerable among us. There is an identifiable disconnect between people in our modern communities today. Among our most vulnerable are our elderly population. 1 in 20 adults aged over 65 are residing in a nursing home, and this is expected to dramatically increase with our aging population. Up to 40% of aged care residents get no visitors. This is an indication of our increasing social divide and lack of cohesion and community bonding. People of all ages are struggling across Australia with homelessness. The 2016 census of Population and Housing showed an increase of 4.6% in homelessness over 5 years. With these overwhelming statistics, it can be difficult to know where to start, or how to empathise with the real humans behind the statistics. PJA participant Ethan Baywood has a simple, small scale approach to making a difference – the act of talking. “I love helping others, just talking to them about what’s going on in their life, what they are going through at home, even school stuff...checking up on people and seeing how they are going,” explains Ethan. ”I think that is why I started talking to people, because it helps connect people more and bring them together. By talking to people in his community, Ethan is building connections with people from all walks of life. Applying this simple act can make all the difference. Getting involved in local and wider organisations is a great way to do this, from meetings and events that raise awareness, to fundraisers and volunteer work within the community. “I think I’ve had a lot of personal growth by talking to different people. Getting different views, different ideas, different perspectives from other people. Just finding out and understanding what they believe on certain issues.”

- Ethan Braywood, PJA Participant

EQUITY IN LEADERSHIP An important concern raised by PJA program participants is the inequity in leadership seen in business, education and government. Equal representation is important. The statistics on leadership often reflect how society as a whole treats and perceives particular groups of people. A more diverse representation in leadership is essential to our youth feeling both connected and empowered within the community. Within Australian universities, women make up the majority of lower level academic roles. However, they are especially under represented at senior academic levels, holding only 31.7% of senior lecturer or higher positions. The inequality unfortunately extends to the corporate world. Women hold 6% of ASX200 CEO roles (down from 7% in 2018) and 114 companies in the ASX200 have no women in executive leadership line roles. Only 4% of listed companies in Australia’s top 200 have achieved gender balance. One way to progress equality in business leadership is with mandated gender equality. Quotas are a way of bringing women’s merit out into the open. It provides a way to bring female talent to the front to be considered that might have otherwise been ignored. The under-representation of women and Indigenous Australians extends to our parliament. The lack of diversity in Parliament reflects the entrenched inequality in society. Women make up 50% of Australia’s population but only 29% of seats in the House of Representatives and 39% of seats in the Senate. Indigenous Australians make up 3% of Australia’s population but hold only 1% of seats in the House of Representatives and 4% of seats in the senate. Every year, policies and decisions are made by the federal government affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, yet there is also no constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice in parliament. Equality across all aspects of leadership in our society is important to ensure all Australians are represented in the decision-making processes that affect them.

I feel as though

women are consistently

under-represented in leadership roles and

I wish this would change. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Emily Hollingworth, PJA Participant

I strongly feel

that it is

our responsibility

to protect and uphold

the rights and freedoms

of others.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mel Streater, PJA Participant

THE RIPPLE EFFECT A major outcome of the PJA program was the participants gaining insight on change, from both the individual and collective standpoint. The ‘ripple effect’ became a powerful way to symbolise how small changes can create a big impact. It encompasses what it means to be a changemaker. By using our individual actions in our day to day lives, group actions, community actions and action within our democratic structures, we can grow our impact over time. PJA participant, Tahli Enfield put this into perspective. “Small cafes, takeaway shops and restaurants around the local area, if they implement change, can have a ripple effect, and eventually we can see growth towards reducing single-use plastics. Then we can say, ‘that started within our small community!’ I think that will be really empowering.” Empowerment begins with our young people. The NAP Civics and Citizenship report shows a great increase since 2010 in student levels of interest in civic issues, in the value of civic action, and a growing willingness to engage in civic activities in the future. However, the report indicated that there has been a decline in the proficiency and performance of students compared with 2010, and a decline in the ability to make connections between the processes and outcomes of Australia’s civic institutions. This indicates our youth are keen, but need to be provided with greater opportunities through civic education, volunteering succession, and to be welcomed as members of community and advocacy groups. This is particularly important within regional communities, where succession issues are pressing in many organisations. Inviting youth to engage with community can make a large impact.

your

voice can start a

As global citizens, we must all

take care

of the earth to ensure a

better, healthier FUTURE – Tahli Enfield, PJA Participant

chain reaction – Sophie Hawkins, PJA Participant

my focus and passion

I am

inspired

by those around me Who are

is on what

making change happen, even in the

impact

we can drive in the world – Beatrice Firth, PJA Participant

I would like my law career to help break THE

GLASS CEILING for all women.

smallest shape or form

– Gabriella Chan, PJA Participant

WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR WE CAN GENERATE

ELDERS,

MEANINGFUL CHANGE.

WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM THOSE THAT HAVE

COME BEFORE US.

– Emily Hollingworth, PJA Participant – Mel Streater, PJA Participant

A stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet.

CLIMATE CHANGE is

the top tier of environmental issues

IT encompass a lot of other environmental issues

deforestation

and

extinction.

– Kirby Orme, PJA Participant – Ethan Baywood, PJA Participant

THE RIPPLE EFFECT IN ACTION: THREE STEPS TO CHANGEMAKING So, do want to use your outside voice? Are you ready to join your fellow changemakers and create a safe, welcoming and sustainable community for all? Here’s the place to start.

STEP 1. GETTING THE FACTS STRAIGHT It’s important to research the issues you are passionate about. Getting the right information is key to taking the right action. With social media came a massive influx of information, but it can be hard to know what sources to trust. We’ve compiled the list below to get you started. These are full of information compiled by experts.

STEP 2.

GET INVOLVED WITH AN ORGANISATION T HAT DOES WORK YOU ADMIRE LOCAL

The Climate Council https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/

Clothing Swaps Clothing swaps reduce the amount of clothing to landfill, and there are a growing number that can found in your local community. If your town doesn’t have one yet, you can be the first to host one!

Australian Bureau Of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/

https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/6steps-hosting-successful-clothes-swap/

Australian Human Rights Commission https://www.humanrights.gov.au/

Nature Conservation Council The organisation website provides an interactive map to locate conservation groups in your local area.

The Australian Institute https://www.tai.org.au/

https://www.nature.org.au/members

Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/ Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.org.au/ Civicus Monitor Map of Democracy https://monitor.civicus.org/ Rental Affordability Report https://www.anglicare.asn.au/docs/default-source/defaultdocument-library/final---rental-affordability-snapshot b811d9309d6962baacc1ff0000899bca.pdf?sfvrsn=6

Coastal Warriors Mid North Coast A volunteer-based organisation located in Port Macquarie with the aim of preventing plastics and other harmful objects entering our oceans and waterways. For information on the collection of waste and important data on research and prevention, go to: https://www.coastalwarriorsmnc.org.au/ Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group (MNCRSP) A diverse group of people who welcome refugees and offer support and advocacy for asylum seekers. They hold regular meetings, events and dinners. http://www.mncrefugeesupport.org/p/midnorth-coast-refugee-support-group_23.html https://www.facebook.com/groups/486631151447757/

All of the resources* listed here, plus more, can be found on the project’s website: https://www. designpracticeresearch.org/changemaking * Resources will continue to be updated online.

STEP 3. START SOMETHING NEW NATIONAL Orange Sky Laundry Australia’s first free mobile laundry service for people experiencing homelessness. Washing machines and dryers are installed in vans for people to use, starting conversations and restoring dignity to people doing i t tough. https://orangesky.org.au/

Is there something you feel is missing from this picture? There is always opportunity to start something new within your community. A major outcome of the Picture Justice Australia program was to equip the participants with the knowledge that we have the power to start something new. It can seem daunting, but in reality, the first step is often the hadest. Many successful organisations started small and grew thier impact over time. What you could do

One Million Women An organisation of women combatting climate change. The following website rovides information on events and campaigns, as well as a blog source for research and tips to live more sustainably. https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/ Mission Australia An integrated nationwide services organisation that helps people find safe and affordable housing, assists disadvantaged families and empowers troubled young people. https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/?utm_ expid=.Uz3YH17iRW2XVsuGu0BJ8A.0&utm_ referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww. missionaustralia.com.au%2Fnews-blog

Contact your local government and ask about how you can become an ambassador for youth in your community. Band together with some friends and start your own non-profit or social entrepreneur organisation that helps the community in an area you’re passionate about. You can find a guide to starting a business here: https:// www.business.gov.au/guide/starting Apply for community grants that help non-profit organisations make a greater impact. If you’re unsure how to apply for a grant, or whether you are eligible, contact the grant organisation directly. They’re usually very helpful.

DID YOU KNOW Organisations can apply for a range of local community grants. Here’s two to get you started: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Community Grants https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/CommunityCulture/Grants/About-Community-Grants Charles Sturt University Community Partnership Grants https://about.csu.edu.au/community/grants

– Nathan Hollingworth, PJA Participant 19

https://www.picturejusticeaustralia.org/