Learning on country at Garma Youth Forum

Young people from across Australia will take part in activities run by the University of Sydney's Conservatorium of Music, Sydney College of the Arts, Faculty of Science and Sydney University Law Society students in Arnhem Land. From 4 August, over 180 school students aged 8 to 18 will take part in a unique cultural exchange at the Gulkula ceremonial grounds in north-east Arnhem Land. Run by the Yothu Yindi Foundation and sponsored by the University of Sydney, the Youth Forum runs as part of the annual Garma Festival of Indigenous culture. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) Professor Shane Houston, a Gangulu man from central Queensland, said the University's commitment was a public statement of its ambitions. "Our Garma sponsorship demonstrates the value the University places on cultural competency , diversity and inclusion - vital to achieve the aims of our Wingara Mura Bunga Burrabugu strategy to create higher education and leadership opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," he said. It's important we explore each other's cultures and experiences, for us all - Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians, visitors and residents - to expand and enrich our ability to appreciate and respect difference, to share common aspirations and to create the sort of society we all want for our grandchildren. Professor Jakelin Troy, a Ngarigu woman of the Snowy Mountains in southern NSW and the University's Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research, said the festival would provide a wealth of cultural experiences and learning opportunities for the school students, and the participating team of staff and students from the University.