Community engagement, skills and employability

The University’s Core Curriculum lies at the heart of this transformation. It’s a key part of every ACU student’s education - giving students time to reflect on ways they can change the world by applying the principles of Catholic Social Thought.

An ACU education is about integral human development. Our students are more than their degree. An ACU education is about learning to look at the world with empathy and confidence. It’s learning to listen and lead. It’s challenging stereotypes, and having the courage to make an impact.

Community engagement and our students

Catholic Social Thought has informed the development of universal approaches to human rights and justice in the 20th and 21st centuries. It is closely aligned with the most fundamental principles of many of the world’s religions and has influenced the codes of practice for many of our professions.

THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON Every person has value, is worthy of great respect and must be free from slavery, manipulation and exploitation.

SOLIDARITY We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.

THE COMMON GOOD Everyone should have access to what they need to live a fulfilling life.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Every person has a fundamental right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are responsibilities, to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

STEWARDSHIP OF THE EARTH It is our collective responsibility to care for the world we inhabit. The Core at ACU is made up of three units, one of which is a community engagement unit.

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10

acu.edu.au/acuengagement

TYPES OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT ACU2 EXAMPLES FROM ACU STUDENTS

Direct community engagement Students interact with community members through an existing program offered by ACU and/or an external partner organisation (e.g., tutoring, serving meals).

ACU Education students Provided one-on-one tutoring for students from disadvantaged backgrounds in a homework support program.

Project-based community engagement Students (individually or in groups) work on a project with a tangible outcome for a community organisation (e.g., develop a website for a community organization, develop a strategic plan).

ACU Arts students Mapped available services for homeless Australians, and developed a directory of resource needs for local support agencies.

Community-based research Students conduct or contribute to a research project needed by a community organisation.

ACU Psychology students Worked with service agencies to understand the benefits of social skills training for young people with autism.

Advocacy Students participate in/support one of ACU’s partner organisations with an ongoing campaign to address a social issue.

ACU Science students Supported mental health awareness week by conducting a mental health awareness event on campus.

Community engagement student placements ACU Engagement is committed to ensuring that all ACU students and staff have the opportunity to make a contribution to their community that is feasible and meaningful to them, and that meets community needs in a way that is valuable and respectful.

We assist schools and faculties to link with our projects and our community partners to provide meaningful community engagement placements that give students the opportunity to apply the principles of Catholic Social Thought.

ACU Engagement supports four different types of community engagement placements1, so that we can meet the varied needs of our community partners as well as the skills and capabilities of our students.

ACU ENGAGEMENT

1 These four categories are based on those developed by DePaul University (Chicago, US). 2 Not all Schools/degrees utilise all four categories. Students should check with their Lecturer/Tutor as to which categories meet the requirements for their course.

NATIONAL Peter Boyle [email protected]

ACU Engagement [email protected]

NSW Vivien Cinque [email protected]

ACT Olivia Merrick [email protected]

VIC Jess Innes-Irons [email protected]

QLD Matthew Pink [email protected]

If you are a community group or organisation interested in exploring ways ACU students could assist your community, please contact our national community engagement manager or your local campus community engagement team.