ROUND SQUARE 2020 SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

INTERNATIONALISM, DEMOCRACY, ENVIRONMENT, ADVENTURE, LEADERSHIP, SERVICE

INVITATION: Students aged 16 (by the end of 2020) – 18 years old, have been invited to attend the senior Round Square International Conference, RSIC 2020. This year the conference is in in Melbourne, hosted by .

This year’s conference will focus on the theme of Take less, Be More and the IDEALS, Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership & Service. RSIC 2018 aims to embrace global diversity and ignite positive change to excite the fire within young global citizens.

The selected delegation will consist of 5 MLC Students, each being an ambassador for her school and country. This opportunity provides your daughter with an international network that aims to foster self-efficacy, leadership and awareness as a global citizen.

THE CONFERENCE AIM:

A Round Square Conference is structured around the IDEALS of Round Square. A typical program will see students taking part in adventure activities, local service work and environmental conservation.

The program is designed to put delegates at the core of the experience, allowing them to shape their own learning journey through a process of enquiry and experience. The conference will offer a combination of keynote speakers and leadership development activities. The programme also provides opportunities for students to discuss global issues in a ‘baraza’ or discussion group. The ‘baraza’ groups are student-led, and supported by a personal development programme which encourages all students to participate.

Delegates will learn about the world around them and its societies, cultures and global systems. They will be challenged to think about their role in in the world, their power to participate in positive change. Being provided with strategies to apply their learning, delegates will discover “that there is more in them than they think”, Dr .

Those who attended a Round Square Conference have found that the new perspectives, experiences and friendships formed support them to be more inquisitive, internationally minded and have sense of responsibility for their actions. The conference experience is beneficial for all students, who on return to school have a new energy for achieving or setting their academic and personal goals.

OVERVIEW OF ROUND SQUARE:

Round Square is an international organisation of 160 schools on 5 continents committed to encouraging students to participate in unique experiences and set achievable ambitious goals. Students involved in Round Square make a strong commitment, beyond academic excellence, towards personal development and responsibility.

Round Square is based on the theories of experiential educational philosopher Kurt Hahn. Dr Hahn, one of the twentieth century's foremost revolutionaries in education, believed that schools should have a greater purpose beyond preparing students for college and university. He believed that it was crucial for young people to prepare for life by having them face it directly and experience it in ways that would demand courage, generosity, imagination, principle and resolution.

Dr Hahn was instrumental in the creation of many outstanding schools, as well as Outward Bound, the United World Colleges and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. As the number of Round Square schools continues to grow and the cooperation among these organisations increases, Hahn's philosophy is making a solid and creative impact on the lives of thousands of students.

All member schools share a strong underlying belief: this is the view of learning by doing. The Round Square philosophy is based on 6 fundamental ‘pillars’ – Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service. Collectively, these pillars are known as the IDEALS. Students involved in Round Square make a strong commitment, beyond academic excellence, towards personal development and responsibility.

Please visit roundsquare.org or contact Mr Blake Fatouros [email protected]

RSIC 2018: Open to all Students Aged 16 – 18 years, in year 9 – 11.

CONFERENCE DETAILS: Dates: 19th-24th September

Theme: Sustainability - Take Less, Be More

Host school: Ivanhoe Grammar School (combination of Hotel accommodation and Home stay)

Conference Fee: $2500 approx

• All meals throughout the duration of the conference; • All accommodation throughout the duration of the conference; • All transport throughout the duration of the conference (including pick up and drop off to the designated airport in Australia); • All visits and activities throughout the duration of the conference. • flights/transit costs to/from the point of arrival/departure;

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

The expression of interest process requires you to answer the following questions and submit your interest on time. Each delegate will be interviewed by Round Square Students, who have attended past conferences. 5 MLC Students will be selected for the final delegation.

MLC Students are encouraged to develop the Spirits of the IDEALS through enquiry and activity. The RSIC experience aims to support students to discover new ways to embody the Spirits of the IDEALS. The Spirits are defined as:

Spirit of Internationalism: Seeking to discover and embrace the similarities and differences between culture acting in ways that promote meaningful & lasting understanding & respect. Spirit of Democracy: Encompass a sense of equality, fairness and justice with a desire to do what is right for the greater good. Spirit of Environmentalism: The significance of understanding of the interdependence between humans & the planet striving for a balance and sustainable impact. Spirit of Adventure: Characteristics of willingness to push themselves beyond their perceived limits, cross boundaries and discover their capabilities. Spirit of Leadership: Driven by a desire to be of service to others & to nurture, guide, develop & help others to improve & succeed. Spirit of Service: Celebrate personal development through practical experience that brings sustainable support & benefit to others.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST APPLICATION FORM: Return this form by 13TH March 2020 to Mr Fatouros via email: [email protected]

I, ______(student name) would like to be considered for the 2018 Round Square International Conference, to represent MLC School

In 50 words or less and using the above definitions, explain which IDEALS Spirit you feel is the most important for an MLC Student to embody and why: (choose only one)

In 50 words or less, why do you want to be a delegate and attend the conference?

For the parent of the student applicant:

I would like to support my daughter’s expression of interest in attending the 2018 International Round Square Conference & Pre-Conference. I understand that this is not an undertaking for the conference, however I give permission for her to undergo the selection process.

Parent/Guardian Name: ______

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______

Return this form by 13TH March 2020 via email:

Blake Fatouros [email protected]