1. Youth Eco Summit

2. About YES
Partnership between UWS, the NSW Dept of Education & Community and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (all RCE-GWS partners)
Unique curriculum-based event for primary and secondary school students
Includes hands-on workshops, seminars, displays and activities around all aspects of sustainability
Platform for students to teach students, and for industry and tertiary educators to engage with youth
Photo – Minster for the Environment, Hon. Robin Parker participating in the launch of YES 2013 with live video conference with schools all around NSW to talk about their sustainability projects in schools

3. Partnerships Partnership between UWS, DEC and SOPA
YES was a formal partnership between the 3 organisations before the partnership was strengthened further through our RCE network
These 3 organisations work together to fund, coordinate and organise the event.

4. Our Stats
Between 2010 to 2013 we have engaged with 10,000 students from all over the state, including disadvantaged and rural/remote students
Live video conferences and web streaming broadcasts across New South Wales, Australia and around the world are used to engage students that are unable to attend
The initiative has involved 65
environmental organisations
Photo – High School students participating in live web streaming around the globe directly from the event

5. Education and Market Transformation
YES is a ‘living laboratory’ for anyone who is developing, delivering or researching sustainability pedagogies
It exemplifies the shift to a 21st Century model of integrated, real-world, collaborative education and serves as a model of practice for the delivery of education services in Australia
YES is successfully delivering localised action through effective collaboration and linking & leveraging existing networks
As the new Australian cross-curriculum theme of sustainability rolls out YES offers a proven, effective and accessible means for all teachers and students to engage in a 21st century approach to learning about ESD

6. ESD and SD practices
YES has enabled the RCE-GWS to position itself as a leader in sustainability and educational action across Western Sydney
YES brings prestige and recognition that goes beyond the local area to the international arena
It showcases community engagement and in doing so takes Education for Sustainable Development to the forefront of our community
Photo – Living Links, project used to highlight and showcase aboriginal educations, sustainability and career aspirations for the local community of Willmont. These students were funded by DEC to attend the summit as they are from a low SES community. Living links was held prior to YES

7. Evidence of inspired change for Sustainability
YES was the recipient of the NSW Green Globe Award for Public Sector Sustainability in 2013
YES was highlighted at the Equity In Education Symposium in 2013
Global links with Germany, Malaysia and Alaska have been established
A YES presentation and workshop was given at the International Health Symposium on non-communicable diseases in Western Sydney in 2011
YES received a learning for Sustainability
Award for Excellence in 2013
Photo – YES committee receiving Green Globe Award

8. Evidence of inspired change for Sustainability
Yes Project
Teacher Education
Photo – YES committee receiving Green Globe Award