In Our Own Backyard: Connecting to Global Issues in Our Region

In Our Own Backyard is a magazine-style resource for middle years students. Presented through the eyes of students Ella and Josh, it seeks to engage young Australians in regional and global issues and outlines the many ways in which Australia and Australians are connected to the Asian region. Ella and Josh investigate a number of current issues and report their findings through three themes:

• Getting Connected looks at our increasing interconnectedness thanks to the growing mobility of people, ideas and products.
• Shifting Identities explores how people construct, negotiate and broaden their sense of identity in response to increasing cultural choices and intercultural experiences.
• Being Good Neighbours looks at how different countries in the region, and their citizens, are working together to meet the challenges created by events and developments that transcend national borders.

In Our Own Backyard comprises a range of stories, texts and images exploring subjects such as the impact of global trade and manufacturing, how we and other nations respond to natural disasters, the creation of youth identity, shifts in cultural identity and our shared responsibility for the environment. Students are encouraged to imagine, think about, research and have their say on the topics presented, which are supported by fact files and narration by Ella and Josh – ‘from the editors’ desk’.

Civics and citizenship education focus: Much of this resource deals with how people actively contribute to solving contemporary issues; it is an ideal vehicle for exploring the ‘People Power’ aspect of CCE.

Literacy focus: Consisting of a variety of text types, this resource is a good model for students’ analysis and their own writing.