School Constitutional Conventions
The Ministerial Council for Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) has endorsed the continued funding to 2009 of the National Schools Constitutional Convention (held in Canberra 29 April to 1 May) and state feeder conventions (held in regional centres in late February/early March each year).
The convention program organised by Education Queensland and supported by the Queensland Catholic Education Commission and Independent Schools, Queensland involves senior secondary students from both state and non-state secondary schools.
Zone School Constitutional Conventions
As a prelude to the National Convention in Canberra, a series of zone conventions occur across Queensland. At each zone convention:
- keynote speakers simulate debate
- senior students participate in discussions about contemporary constitutional issues
- an election of delegates to National Convention occurs
The theme of the 2008 Zone Convention program is "Federalism: Where to now?" and the discussion paper (new window) 48k 
can be downloaded here.
Queensland's program of Zone School Constitutional Conventions
Schools are invited to register teams of students to participate in Queensland's annual program of Zone School Constitutional Conventions.
The purpose of Zone Conventions is to select a team of students to represent Queensland at the all expenses paid three-day National Schools Constitutional Convention to be held in Canberra from 17 to 19 March 2009.
For 2009, students attending Zone Conventions will explore the theme of "Australian Republic: to be or not to be?"
Education Queensland has invited leading teachers from each Education Queensland region to convene Zone Conventions during the period 18 February to 2 March 2009. Organisational arrangements are:
Since 2005, Zone Schools Constitutional Conventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have been organised in response to the Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Committee 's 'Hands on Parliament' Report. The Conventions are part of a strategy to enhance civics and voter education, and leadership opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in democratic processes.
Organisational arrangements for Zone School Constitutional Conventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are:
- Brisbane - South East Queensland Zone: Friday 27 February, contact Marcia Rouen, Curriculum Division, DETA, Email: Marcia.rouen@deta.qld.gov.au
- Townsville - North Queensland Zone: Thursday 26 February 2009, contact Jackie Bennett, Project Officer, Learning and Engagement Centre, North Queensland Region, Email: Jacqueline.bennett@deta.qld.gov.au
- Cairns - Far North Queensland: Friday 27 February 2009, contact Sandra Stewart, District Community Education Counsellor, Far North Queensland Indigenous Schooling Support Unit, Email: Sandra.stewart@deta.qld.gov.au
If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact Marcia Rouen, Principal Education Officer (SOSE) on email marcia.rouen@deta.qld.gov.au or telephone 07 3237 1688.
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