No one has a lock on patriotism. This however, has not stopped the current US administration from using it to lash out at the integrity of those who disagree with its disastrous and, by now, senseless war in Iraq.

Yet the truth is, those who are against or in favor of a troop withdrawal within a short timeframe can all be seen as patriotic Americans. They simply evaluate the war and its prospects differently. To debate an exit strategy from the military quagmire in Iraq is both the duty and the right of every citizen...   Read on

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Iraq - past, present and future civilizations

Back in ancient history, Iraq was the blossom in a barren world, with inspirational civilization that was thousands of years ahead of the rest of the world.. Read on

TRAVEL

Fiji - barefoot and breathing deeply


There are some places that just make you exhale. Not from the back of your throat, in a shallow little 'huff', like when you manage to catch the 7.55am into the city. A real exhalation .. Read on

ENVIRONMENT

Biotechnology and developing countries

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) released their latest report in May which focused on the use of biotechnology in food production..
Read on

SPORT

Footy mad - UEFA Euro 2004 and AFC Asian Cup

For the football fan, summer 2004 is a time of serious festivities, sending the dedicated fan into a hermit heaven of unplugged phones, takeaway pizza and passionate obsession.. Read on

EDUCATION/CULTURAL

Community development - the principle focus for Peace Corps

Since the Peace Corps began, there has been an on-going debate within the agency about which of its two goals should be primary - community development or cultural exchange?
Read on

WORLD VISIONS

Nepal - Kathmandu and trekking in the Himalayas

Nepal lies in southern Asia between India and China. It is best known as home to the Himalayan mountain range which stretches magnificently along the easterly border of Nepal.. Read on

EDITORIAL: June 04

Sustainability of our environment requires people to understand how their actions can affect the environment and how they can make a positive difference to their local community surroundings. Every small project can help. This is the goal of a team of dedicated individuals who are currently undertaking a cycle expedition around Australia, endeavouring to educate people about sustainable development.

The Alcoa Great Australian Cycle Expedition for Environmental Education (GRACE) began on May 10 2004 and will last until mid-February 2005. The cycle expedition covers 27,000 kms and aims to link communities through sustainable education and encourage young people to both consider and look after the environment around them. The initiative will celebrate the start of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).

The cycle team is led by Kate Leeming, a 36 year old Australian and Greg Yeoman from the UK. They have both had previous experience of organizing and completing long distance cycle events. Back in 1993, they cycled 13,500 km, from St Petersberg to Vladivostok to assist the Children of Chernobyl. The remaining three members of the GRACE team are Yuri Trusov, Merrick Ekins, and Andrew Rickard.

Through their expedition, the GRACE team hope to involve the communities in three different ways. Firstly, any individual can follow the diary entries via the GRACE website, http://www.gracexpedition.org. Through this they will learn more about the event, initiatives and progress. Then there are then two education programs which target children in the 9 - 15 year old age group. Teachers can choose to follow one or both of the programs.

The first program, is called the GRACE Quiz Challenge. Students are encouraged to discover Australia using an interactive online quiz. The Quiz Challenge is a series of twenty different quizzes each with 10 multiple choice questions. Through this, they will learn about the environment of Australia and be more aware of how to look after it.

The second program is called the Building Sustainable Communities Program, with the underlying philosophy that local actions have global impacts. It is aimed at both Australian and international schools. The program has four main parts:

• Introducing sustainability into the classroom (Australian / International perspectives)
• Identifying local issues of sustainability
• Letter writing to the Minister of the Environment
• Creating a plan of action

Students thus learn about the key issues of sustainable development including the atmosphere, biodiversity, coasts and oceans, human settlement, inland water, and the global context. They can then take action in their local community. Schools on the program are encouraged to network with each other.

Schools can register online or for more information can contact Andrew Rickard via email at, grace@gracexpedition.org . Any schools taking part have the chance to win prizes from Jacaranda and Earth Systems.

For further information, visit the GRACE website, http://www.gracexpedition.org.

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