National Aspiring Leaders return from week long Summit

Twenty nine young students selected by The Smith Family attended Outward Bound’s fifth annual National Aspiring Leaders Summit 2011 in June, a unique eight day leadership event held at Outward Bound Australia’s national base in Canberra. Students now have the opportunity to share their newfound leadership skills with their local community as part of a planned action project.

The Summit is made possible by the support of The Smith Family, with the majority of the participants drawn from its Learning for Life program.

The National Aspiring Leaders Summit is one of Outward Bound Australia’s premier leadership programs. The course equips participants with the skills and experience necessary to make a difference in their community. This year 29 young leaders attended the Summit.

As part of the National Aspiring Leaders Summit, the participants develop a community action project designed to make positive change within their community. They end their time at the Summit by presenting their project plan to the others in the group and to a panel of experts, where they detail their plan, vision and reasons for choosing their cause.

This year some of the projects include establishing local youth refuges, localised programs to support victims of bullying, initiatives to break down social barriers within communities, starting a healthy breakfast program, providing opportunities for teenage girls with disabilities and re-educating students on animal cruelty.

Chief Executive Officer of The Smith Family, Dr Lisa O’Brien, said the Summit demonstrates the enormous drive and potential made by young people from less privileged backgrounds, to initiate and lead positive social change.

“Now that the students have completed the course and are back at home, they have the opportunity to showcase the project they identified and developed during the week, and demonstrate leadership by implementing it within their local community,” Dr O’Brien said.

Outward Bound Australia CEO Darren Black says the National Aspiring Leadership Summit is a highlight of Outward Bound’s calendar.

“The Aspiring Leaders Summit is an amazing experience for everyone involved. The progress the young people make during their week at Outward Bound is amazing.”

“Their drive and commitment to making a difference in their community is inspiring to see. They will make fantastic leaders of the future,” Mr Black said.