The journey so far

The Tomorrow’s Leaders for Sustainability program was created after its Co-Founders came together and realised - from different personal journeys - that there was a need for student leadership in the area of sustainability.

Pat Armstrong had been working in the field of sustainability education and had been instrumental in the development of the Waste Wise Schools program, the Sustainable Schools program in Victoria and the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI).  Pat had also been teaching leadership and professional development programs to educators of sustainability and community volunteers.  On reflection, she saw the need for leadership training to help students maximise their potential in the area of sustainability.  Pat also realised that leadership at all levels, especially with young people, was essential for schools to develop long-term and whole school approach to sustainability.

Jane Stewart had recently finished the Australian Rural Leadership Program and was keen to pass on what she had learnt through the development of a student leadership training program.  She had also recently finished the development of a national industry based interactive edutainment program – see www.olliesworld.com - and came to understand the need to give students the chance to experience different industries and possible career pathways.

With these experiences and insights behind them, Pat and Jane set about researching and developing the Tomorrow’s Leaders for Sustainability (TLfS) program.  The content of the program is based on the latest research in both principles of sustainability and best practice leadership training.  It is delivered through quality instruction and utilises a “learning by doing” philosophy.  The TLfS Program is comprised of the following components: Educational Activities; Project Activities; and Leadership Activities.  The TLfS Program is also supported by a comprehensive Evaluation Plan to guarantee that the program’s outcomes are consistently monitored and successfully achieved.

Since 2007 the TLfS program has been delivered to 65 educators from 33 schools and 13 community groups in Victoria.  Our goal in 2010 is to expand into other states around Australia.  The TLfS Program has also been showcased at a number of educational conferences and community events.  It is now supported by a number of industry groups and vocationally orientated organisations which have added another dimension to the content and the ultimate delivery of the program.  It is this unique combination of leadership training in the context of sustainability and the engagement of participants in hands-on vocationally orientated projects that sets the TLfS program apart from other sustainability and leadership programs.

It is also important to understand that the TLfS program addresses a number of educational objectives and can be used to deliver various curriculum areas.  The TLfS program complements the Victorian Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) and it can either initiate AuSSI in a school or help a school which has already commenced AUSSI by providing the student leadership requirements.  For example, one of the requirements of AuSSI Vic is for schools to develop a student leadership strategy and a student action team.  TLfS can help do this.

We have also set up three Models which will form the basis of the TLfS Communities of Practice.  Ultimately, our goal is to create a comprehensive TLfS Communities of Practice Manual so that local communities will take ownership of their TLfS program.  This will help lead to all schools who participate in the program maximising the uptake of the program amongst students, creating strong and meaningful partnerships with other organisations/businesses within the local community and delivering meaningful projects on the ground.  For more information about these Models go to the program’s section of this website.