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was
held 13 - 17 December 2000 together with Preliminary Conference Evaluation EVALUATIONS HELP GUIDE FUTURE ACTION Evaluations
of such events occur even as they are being planned. As people experience the
event they make their own informal personal assessments. Once home, communication
with others elicits new perspectives and periodic revisits of what occurred and
how it impacted on their and others' lives. Some of this gets back to the organisers,
some not. For ISRC 2000, PASTA and the ISRC Committee created three formal written
assessment formats: a short form - one page completed by c. 1/4 of delegates on
the final day; a much longer form, still being collected and collated; a third
form, to include much of the planning process, for the Committee itself. What
is presented here is a selection of comments from the short evaluations and emailed
messages after the Conference. A full Conference report to be published later
this year will include more detailed accounts. Contact PASTA if you would like
a copy of that. From
The Co-Editor of the ISRC Bulletins and this Website Evolving. Exhausting. Exhilarating.
At the end, empty. Apart from emails, personal communications so eager and enlightening
reduced to mixed memories. For me, a golden treasure house of gifts: Aussie colleagues
overwhelmed by delicious Thai smiles, scenic Canadian invitations, Slovenian assurances,
the Mohawk flag a reminder that we are all part of a family of life. And then,
from my own native country: the City of New Orleans Medallion (its presenter,
'Mr. Phil', a still greater treasure); my very own American flag (18 years encapsulated
in a week Rocco); and then, as in all good plans, thoughtfulness and innovation
matched with exceptional timing: the NASC plaque to "The 'Father' of Student Leadership
in Australia". Thank you for giving me this chance to say Thank You. True or not,
fully successful or only a start, it's what you all do with the idea from now
on which will determine if this dream has wider meaning - in my adopted country
as in those we have all yet to engage. For the special honour and privilege of
having all of you work with us at ISRC 2000, please accept our very special thanks.
As current and future leaders who, like us, have 'been there' and 'done that'
we invite you to adopt our very apt (if borrowed) credo: "We the willing led by
the unknowing are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much
for so long with so little we are now qualified to do anything with nothing!"
- Charles Kingston (PASTA VP - International - Bathurst NSW) ******************* Unsolicited
emailed comments from various climes and ages: "I hope the
conference was for you all that it is for me. I never thought we could get 250
kids from many countries to talk to one another, much less getting close to one
another. It's good to know that we have close friends throughout the world now.
There aren't too many places in the US, Canada, Australia, or Thailand that we
can go that we don't know somebody." - Mike Nolan (Co-Convener & New Jersey
Overseas Tour Host) "We Canadians really got to know
we Canadians! Think globally and you will realize that acting locally is really
what we all want to do anyway!!" - Gane Olsen (President of CASAA - Alberta
Canada) "Congratulations on a job well done - have heard
some great reports!!!" - Louisa Kirby (ISRC Volunteer Worker - Youth Austraia) "The
amount of time PASTA members have put in is amazing! The dedication you have all
shown is remarkable and I would like to thank you personally. I definitely will
be renewing my PASTA membership in June and hope to stay involved with the organisation
for years to come. ISRC 2000 was outstanding and all feedback I got was positive."
-Lauren Meakin (ISRC & 2000 Tour Delegate - Davidson NSW) "It's
only about 20' F and it is cold here and we have some snow. I'm so glad that my
memories of Sydney and ISRC 2000 are so much warmer, just the best." - Kathy
Coll (Advisor - Pennsylvania) "Best wishes for MMI and
for continued success in developing strong student leaders in Oz!"- David Cordts
(Associate Director - Department of Student Activities - National Association
of Secondary School Principals - USA) "I want to thank
you for helping me when I was in Australia. I really appreciate your kindness."
- Dollacha Tativivatvaravut ('ICE' - Thailand - one of the IGs) "I
really enjoyed it though I had little time to explore Sydney. It was my first
time there. It's very interesting and hopefully I'll be back some day. . . . After
ISRC, I attended the conference in Bangkok about UNESCO - MANIFESTO 2000 - International
Year for the Culture of Peace" - Jansiriyotin Supaporn (Adviser - Thailand) "We
talked about what does unity in diversity mean. Each person gave personal testimony
on how their own communities work with unity in diversity. We discussed why we
should not just talk about diversity when unity is a main theme to be recognised."
- Prashanth Shanmugan of NSW (Keynote Speaker) "My workshop
on cultural stereotypes had 7 attendees. I had originally planned structured activities,
but due to the small size I eliminated some of them and had an informal discussion
instead. The students there were very receptive. I think the small size was actually
a blessing because it encouraged free discussion. - Mary Naam (USA student
presenter) "I thoroughly enjoyed it. Had a wonderful time
running the workshops. It's really energising hanging out with so many young inspirational
people. Overall, the students were responsive and eager to learn. Thank you again
for giving me this opportunity to represent World Vision, and to contribute to
your conference in this way. I just hope the students enjoyed it as much as I
did." - Sarah Dunbar (World Vision) " . . . getting
all the great ideas from ISRC to take back to my SRC and District. I thank you
for the great conference. The motivation that we all have now is amazing. I still
have a vacant spot where my American and Canadian friends aren't around." -
Claire Kensit (IG & 2000 Tour Delegate - Crookwell, NSW) "I
would like to extend a thank you to you and all co-convenors of the ISRC as it
was a huge success and I was glad to be considered worthy to be a part of it.
I am keen to write up action plans on various issues addressed at the conference.
If you need help let me know." - Zack Pretlove (IG, GS 1 Co-Chair & 2000
Tour - Victoria) "It was more than an honour to be part
of such an epic event in my own personal arena of student leadership . . . I would
like to hear of the many wonderful and exciting comments and feedback we have!
- Ismaeel Julius (IG & 2000 Tour Delegate - Campbelltown NSW) From Student and Adviser
Written Evaluations (Anonymous) "The Conference
turned out far different than I expected it would seeing as how it was more focused
on ways we could change the world. It was based on a much larger scale than I
expected and was actually more useful and meaningful than I had suspected." "I
have never been so proud to be Canadian. I am honoured to represent my country.
I have made many lifelong friends with my fellow Canadians. Thanks for providing
me with such fantastic memories." "We helped show the rest
of the world what a great country we really are." International / Cultural Interaction
/ People sharing & idea sharing (nearly all said these) "Watching students
do what they do best".. . . "Full impact of realising that such organisations
exist and are networking and connecting progressively." "Study
the problems in each country - then choose the ones to work on and help solve
the problems together." "More time needed for: . warm fuzzy
writing time . nap time . nightly tranquility." "Do what NASC
does. They've been doing it for a long time." THANKS FOR THE DREAM (heaps said
this in various ways) "The first is always the most difficult." "Am
sure it was challenging but you have got something great started." .. . . We can
only grow bigger and better." "Have never met people quite
like the people here. Wish my friends at home were like you." "Hope
you were inspired to go back and make a positive difference within your community
and country." "OH, CAN I GO HOME WITH YOU!" "You
guys are so special to me. You all show your commitment and support to me and
the SRC at all times." (directed to those back home who sent their representative.)
"We've a lot to learn about ourselves and more importantly about the rest of the
world." "To the ghostly future constituency of people who fully
understand and can handle constructively the difference and interest conflict
between democracy and corporatism: HANG IN, Go and Be Prepared to fight the battle
for democracy." "Thank you for believing in me. This was a
great opportunity because I always knew there was more out there. It was just
a matter of finding it. Now I have seen it and can't wait to get started." (this
and the following two directed to Advisers) "Watch out! There will be change."
"I now have better skills than you do!"
1st International Student Representative
Conference
in and near
Sydney
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