YOUTH CHALLENGE PROGRAM SERIES 2010
Is the Spirit of ANZAC relevant to the ADF and society today?
Introduction
We have just concluded the 2010 DEFENCE 2020 Youth Challenge program. Fifteen Youth Challenges were held from April through June in all states and territories throughout Australia. The Defence 2020 team look forward to the National Youth Challenge later in the year.
The 2010 Challenge program brought together young Australians, politicians, ADF personnel (many with recent peacekeeping experience) and community representatives to explore many of the issues surrounding defence and Australia’s future.
The special theme for 2010 was DEFENCE 2020 - Is the Spirit of ANZAC relevant to the ADF today? This theme was chosen to coincide with the 95th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign, and proved very popular.
Some 150 secondary schools participated in the program and many of the capital city events were over subscribed. We apologise to those schools that missed out. Hopefully you can be involved in 2011.
More than 91% of participants in 2010 rated this year's program Excellent/Very Good which is a fantastic result.
The Defence 2020 team enjoy staging the programs, meeting young Australians, putting them together with the many wonderful ADF representatives and seeing how enthusiastically everyone responds to the challenges on the day.
Three individual assessments of the 2010 program cover it all:
ADF member, Perth
This is the first time I have been involved in the D2020 Youth Challenge and I found it very rewarding. Not only was I impressed with the concepts behind the Challenge, making youth of today understand and get a better appreciation of the role of the Australian Defence Force, together with the less obvious side-bar hopeful of recruitment, I was surprised at the effect it had on myself personally.
We take our role in the Defence Force in our stride as that is our chosen profession, however when we are forced to stop and articulate that role and responsibility, I was awoken with renewed sense of pride as I realised that what we take in our stride and accept as our duty is quite remarkable and very important in today's community.
The youth representing their High Schools were quite remarkable in the enthusiasm in which they undertook their tasks and it was encouraging to see them take an interest in the ADF.
The Presenters and facilitators were very skilled and entertaining. They invoked thought, emotion and provided balance throughout the day — I was very impressed.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate and I'd be a willing volunteer for further likewise projects.
Student, Launceston
The best thing about the day was learning and gaining knowledge of the past and present, involving things that impact on our lives, in an environment that was challenging and unfamiliar to us. We learned that the ANZAC spirit lives on. It was great to know that ADF personnel are light-hearted and funny and are passionate about what they do. Mixing with new people was also terrific.
Teacher, Albany
I was impressed. There was an awareness of the importance and value of the ANZAC spirit — values that have developed over time that are still displayed in our ADF and wider Australian society. It was fantastic for young Australians to take from the past to ensure our future.
This program is an example of ‘best practice’ in teaching. The day was structured with engaging and creative activities that carefully scaffolded students through the steps of inquiry learning to engage everyone irrespective of background and learning abilities. All teachers should attend one of these days!
We hope that many of you will enter the National Participation Task.
Defence Technical Scholarships (DTS) are available to Year 11 and 12 students intending to pursue an ADF general entry technical trade career. A selected number of Scholarships will be offered each year, with successful Year 11 recipients receiving $2,000 and successful Year 12 recipients receiving $3,000. 
The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards are available annually to every school in Australia with students in Years 10, 11 or 12. They are awarded to recognise students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader local community. Year 10 winners receive $100, Year 11 winners receive $250 and Year 12 winners receive $500. 