ISX Delegation to Chicago
Key personnel of the ISX have had a long term working relationship with the Center for Labor and Community Research (CLCR) in Chicago and with CEO Dan Swinney's visit to Australia in 2011 we were excited to make contact with Austin Polytechnical Academy which President Obama describes as "bringing back hope" to the community.
The CLCR, Chicago Renaissance Council and Austin Polytechnical Academy vision mirrors the goal of many Australian Aboriginal leaders to provide the highest level of opportunities for young people and to have pathways through practical work to higher level skills and education.
Austin Polytechnical Academy really walks the walk and is really about educating the next generation of leaders for the global economy. Read this paper by Erica Swinney which talks about the motivating forces behind for the formation of the Austin Polytechnical Academy. Over 2011-12 the ISX will work on building a strong relationship with Austin Polytechnical Academy including working on detailed curricula and relationships, offering short secondments in Australian Aboriginal educational environments and workplaces for key members of the Austin Polytechnical staff. The ISX is looking for fifty corporate partners to develop similar polytechnical academies for Indigenous young people in Australia. If you would like to hear more about the outcomes of the ISX visit to the Austin Polytechnical Academy please contact ISX National Secretary Peter Botsman (peter@peterbotsman.com).