TEDxSydney are excited to partner with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) for our Pay It Forward initiative in 2020 – a program that offers TEDxSydney members a way to give back to those that are often marginalised in our community.
Founded with the mission to empower young Indigenous people to build a brighter future for themselves and for the nation, AIEF was established in 2008 in response to community demand from Indigenous families who choose to enrol their children in boarding schools.
Bringing together the government and private sector, AIEF provides scholarship funding for Indigenous students to complete Year 12 or tertiary studies, with career support to help them make a successful transition to employment. Students supported by AIEF access quality education in culturally inclusive environments, where they develop the skills and confidence to fulfil their potential and make the most of their opportunities.
Since 2008, AIEF has grown from one scholarship student to now supporting over 1,000 young Indigenous people from over 400 communities in every state and territory of Australia. From as far north as Dauan Island, to Smithton in the south, Mullumbimby in the east and Carnarvon in the west.
For over a decade AIEF scholarship students have been achieving amazing results, recording 91% of AIEF Alumni being productively engaged in further studies, employment or other pursuits, including 1 in 5 living, working or studying in their home community.
An independent external evaluation report undertaken by KPMG – Evaluation of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation Scholarship and Pathways Programs – outlines the positive outcomes and impact of AIEF’s programs for individual students, their families, schools and the wider community including annual retention and completion rates consistently above 90% and students 2.3 times more likely to complete Year 12 than the Indigenous population overall.
As TEDxSydney’s Pay It Forward partner for 2020, AIEF will be the recipients of any Pay It Forward registrations.
By registering to be a Pay It Forward member for 2020, you will receive a general admission registration for TEDxSydney 2020 Online Flagship event for yourself and you will also be providing a general admission registration to AIEF Scholarship Students and Alumni. So yes, you get to Pay It Forward to the students of AIEF.
If you don’t have your registration sorted yet, some useful info to know is – general admission registration includes Full day access to TEDxSydney 2020 Online including main stage sessions, interactive Discovery Sessions, speaker Q&As and networking opportunities, plus you will personally be recognised in our 2020 online event platform for being a part of our Pay It Forward Initiative. You will also gain early access and special pricing for all 2021 TEDxSydney event.