About
Speaking 4 the Planet is an international Arts-based approach to sustainability
Using the Sustainable Development Goals or the World Environment Day themes as its focus, Speaking 4 the Planet invites students to participate in a competition that has the following categories:
Public speaking | Art | Drama | Writing | Video | Memes/cartoons | TikTok
Latest News
Speaking 4 the Planet has been adapted for primary schools, high schools and universities. Conversations are happening for using the S4P model in a community setting. Beyond creating opportunities to develop and display the skills associated with each category of the competitions, these events promote the importance of having a voice – using words, performance, art, images, and video. They promote advocacy and value evidence-based opinions. They invite quirky solutions to what might appear to be intractable environmental and sustainability problems!
S4P helps to build advocates for the Earth….and all its species. Students are inspired to write and speak and paint and perform about the social aspects of sustainability. They are learning that if we don’t get the human stuff right, we won’t get the environmental stuff right. S4P also helps students see that they are not alone in their concern for the planet and for their future. Our students see protest marches around Australia and around the world…. S4P events build networks of schools and young people whose passion is to create a world worth living in.
Speaking 4 the Planet programs are available in Australia and Internationally, with a variety of support and resources provided. Please visit the pages relevant to you, as well as our Information and Resource packages. Don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions.
S4P Competitions 2020
About Phil – S4P Founder & CEO
Phil’s forty years in education span the breadth of formal and non-formal education: schools, TAFE, community colleges, universities and a wide range of community settings. He has held leadership roles in schools, government agencies, the Australian Association for Environmental Education, and local and international NGOs. He has worked overseas in education, training and evaluation. His experience includes advocacy at local, state and federal levels; education in a humanitarian environment (Nauru); sustainability leadership courses for young people; professional development for teachers and trainers; conference facilitation; and mentoring training. Sustainability education has been and remains a key focus of his education work. As Manager Education in ResourceNSW, he worked with the Department of Education & Training to set up the NSW Sustainable Schools Program.
Training includes: Restorative Practices, Conflict Resolution, Media & Public Communication, First Aid, Transition Towns, Writing for Sustainability, Community Engagement Techniques, Habits of Mind, and Approaches to Partnership Building.
Phil teaches in two teacher-training programs at Western Sydney University. He also works as an education consultant, facilitator and writer. He spends considerable time working in a voluntary capacity with the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre on environmental campaigning and as a writer for the New Bush Telegraph.
“I take a deep interest in the world, and I am active in that world – socially, culturally, politically, professionally. What gives the diversity of my career and interests some cohesion is a sense of working towards a world in which healthy people thrive in healthy communities on a healthy planet: a sustainable world, a world that looks after the vulnerable and cares for the environment. As a writer, my interests are social justice, sustainability, politics, education and community.” – Phil Smith
Speaking 4 The Planet Testimonials
“Speaking 4 the Planet directly links to the Australian Curriculum focus on Sustainability. Students are given opportunities to develop their public speaking and drama skills…This is a great opportunity for students and provides many benefits. The day encourages students to think about their daily lives and how they contribute to the planet. This has provided students with more relationships within the community! ”
– Jemma Saville, Rouse Hill HS
“Students gain confidence and it also broadens their view of the world because the topic exposes them to issues around the globe which may not form part of their current curriculum pattern.”
– Sheetal Chand-Kamal, Head Teacher, English, James Busby High School
