Funding Support For Outward Bound

Funding Support For Outward Bound To Bring Ethnic Communities Together

SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust has granted $25,000 to run a special Outward Bound Southern Cross Course for a group of young Auckland adults.

In conjunction with the Race and Ethnic Relations office, this course will provide a multiracial group of 14 young Aucklanders with the opportunity to undertake a 21-day classic Outward Bound course, especially designed to increase cross-cultural understanding and communication among different community groups.

Seven communities will participate in the course, held at the Outward Bound School in Anakiwa, Marlborough Sounds. Enrolments have recently been completed ready for the classic 21-day course, which will run from 2-22 February 2005.

In association with the Human Rights Commission, the Outward Bound Southern Cross Course brings together individuals from a mixture of cultural groups to encourage communication initiatives. The course includes people from the Afghani, Asian, Croatian, Fijian, Maori, Pakeha, Sri Lanken, South African, and Tamil communities.

“This is the second time this classic course has taken place. There were eight communities involved last time. The course is extremely exciting and unique because it celebrates cultural diversity and will foster a network of young emerging leaders from different cultural communities. It gives these young adults the opportunity to meet others from community groups that differ from their own,” says Phill Hall, Field Promoter, Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand.

Nominations for the classic Outward Bound course come from each individual community group. The overall aim for these young people is to develop self-awareness, inner-strength and confidence plus a developed understanding of other cultures. They will then take this home and share the knowledge with their community.

Jock Irvine, Chairperson Auckland Community Trust says, “The Trust is pleased to support worthy initiatives that strengthen and bring communities together. These young adults attending the Outward Bound Course will gain valuable experiences and confidence to take on any potential future challenges.”

The SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust was established in 1996, as part of the SKCYITY Ltd Casino licence application process, to provide funds for community and charitable purposes. The Trust aims to help local and regional organisations carry out community assistance, focusing on projects related to health and education, tourism and entertainment, arts and cultural.

Each year, the Trust invites applications for grants from a wide range of community and charitable organisations. Funds available for distributions are 2.5% of the net annual profit from SKYCITY Auckland Ltd or a minimum of $500,000 per annum.

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