Students from The University of Queensland School of Law are donating their time to help Queensland high schools as part of the largest coordinated law outreach program to date.
Working through the UQ Pro Bono Centre, which offers vital free legal services to the community, the UQ students present on areas ranging from everyday law to domestic violence and refugee law to pupils at local high schools.
Associate Professor Peter Billings who oversees a section of the law outreach program for the UQ Pro Bono Centre said it was a beneficial experience for all involved.
“There are four streams for school visits across South East Queensland for students in years 9-12,” Associate Professor Billings said.
“In November, students from the UQ Law School are working with students from Brisbane State High School in our largest enrichment program to date,” he said.
“The Brisbane State High School students we are working with are highly engaged and well informed and questioning the world around them,” Associate Professor Billings said.
State High School Students Harmonie
Larsen and Cassie Dunn who participated
in the program.
UQ law students involved in the programme undergo special direction and tuition by Associate Professor Billings and other instructors to ensure they are prepared to teach across a variety of topics.
UQ law student volunteer, Hannah Stadler, said the programme enabled them to help introduce high school students to important, pressing legal issues.
“Our aim in designing these teaching materials is to situate Australia's asylum seeker and refugee laws in the context of international laws and the refugee crisis,” Ms Stadler said.
“We explain the obstacles to developing a cooperative or effective global response to the refugee crisis.
“By the end of each lesson we aim to have humanised the refugee crisis and encouraged the students to reflect on the causes of displacement and the limited options available to asylum seekers,” she said.
Rebecca Johnson, Head of Partnerships and transitions for Brisbane State High School, said the program provided students with a better understanding of modern issues.
“We are proud to partner with the UQ Pro Bono Centre as part of our Monday Afternoon Enrichment Program,” she said.
“In addition to inspiring participants to take an interest in the law, the workshops build on our students’ knowledge of nationally and internationally significant issues. Enabling them to better appreciate the information made available to the public through the government, media and other organisations.”
Media: Melanie Williams, Communications and Engagement Manager, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, +61 7 344 31321, +61 413 400 138, melanie.williams@uq.edu.au or media@bel.uq.edu.au.
