Creating a socially responsible generation

A new program aims to promote volunteering amongst school children.  High school children are the target of a new long-term program that seeks to foster social responsibility in the country’s youth through volunteering and ultimately a gap year abroad.   Young People Without Borders (YPWB) is an initiative of the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) and is aimed at Australians aged 12 to 19.  Program leader Pete Baynard-Smith said participants would be part of a lively and dynamic cohort of people across the country. 

“The motivation behind the program is to enable a generation of young people through school years and a gap year to get involved in volunteering and social action,”said Mr Baynard-Smith.  YPWB says their program is distinctive in that it invests in young people though education, volunteering experience and a dollar-matched savings program. Disadvantaged persons, for whom such an experience might not normally be possible, are a specific focus.