Community

We educators may have been obsessed with perfection, expertise, polished experiences and performances too much for too long. Where is the human? Ironed out? This provocative opinion paper is a collection of the authors' reflections based on experiences, observations, ideas and readings. We invite educators to consider and explore what may help them (re-) connect with their inner selves and others socially, emotionally and cognitively in the context of learning and teaching in HE during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. With reference to a collaborative creative initiative that was implemented under the auspices of the Global OER Graduate Network, the paper aims to instigate a discussion around the importance of building and sustaining effective relationships in HE. These are perceived as the drivers that potentially boost participation and student success using collaboration, creativity and openness. Working in partnership with students, recognising and accepting individuality as well as creating opportunities for connection can support the operationalisation of these reflections in practice.

Australian cities exhibit a quality of life arguably among the best in the world, but rapidly expanding populations may soon threaten this status. The burgeoning conurbation of South East Queensland (SEQ) is an example. Recent growth management policies and plans (e.g. South East Queensland Regional Plan and local authority growth management strategies) have sought to curtail urban sprawl through urban footprints, growth management boundaries, urban consolidation, and other measures. The ‘density imperative’ presented by these collective urban policies affects the sourcing, provision and management of open space in inner-city locales in SEQ which may soon run out of land for parks and urban greenspace. This paper presents results from recent research into the environmental equity dimensions of providing urban greenspace in SEQ. Critiquing the long-entrenched parks-standards approach, the paper offers a ‘needs-based’ alternative, and considers its utility for SEQ and other fast-growing Australian urban areas. Questioning orthodox planning perspectives about who lives in higher density areas, we argue that local and state governments should look towards a variety of new types of green and open space to meet the needs of existing and future residents living in denser built environments.

The onset of adolescence is a " landmark " period in an individual's life. It is marked by a phase of physical transition with the beginning of puberty and the termination of physical growth. The term " Adolescent " is generally used to describe any individual between 10-19 age groups. It is a period of rapid cognitive growth with increased abstract thinking, reasoning and ability of problem solving and socially is a road to adulthood. However with these changes it also brings in vulnerabilities to human rights abuses, particularly in the arenas of sexuality, marriage and childbearing. Adolescents particularly in the low and middle income countries are vulnerable. Around 1 in 6 persons in the world is an adolescent, 1.2 billion people aged 10-19.(1) Low and middle income countries have the largest proportions of adolescents, a result of the success of child survival interventions in combination with high fertility rates.(2) Millions of girls are coerced into unwanted sex or marriage at this age, putting them at risk of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and dangerous childbirth. Boys too are exposed to various high risk behaviours such as experimentation with sex, substance abuse and violence putting them at risk of both intentional and unintentional injuries, STIs, overdose etc.(3) Although adolescence is considered to be a healthy phase, more than 33% of the disease burden and almost 60% of premature deaths among adults can be associated with behaviours or conditions that begin or occur during adolescence – for example, tobacco and alcohol use, poor eating habits, sexual abuse and risky sex. According to WHO fact sheet, an estimated 1.3 million adolescents died in 2012, mostly from preventable or treatable causes, other main causes of adolescent deaths include HIV, suicide, lower respiratory infections and interpersonal violence.(2) These figures are alarming and a cause of major concern at all levels of interventions. One of the major factors that contributes to the increased mortality and morbidity among the adolescent age group in relation to sexual health arise out of ignorance due to lack of education and information All adolescents experience similar biological, cognitive and physiological changes that affect them during this transitional period. However most of the health related outcomes cannot always be attributed to the adolescent themselves. There are various external agencies not within the control of the adolescent that contribute and influence their health and health related outcomes. A strong association between the impacts of social determinants such as socioeconomic and educational status and a range of health outcomes, including adolescent pregnancy and a number of health-compromising behaviours is found.(4) Promoting healthy practices during adolescence, and taking steps to better protect young people from health risks are critical for the prevention of health problems in this age group, and for any given communities' future health and social infrastructure. Sex and sexuality is one such issue that is still considered a taboo in various cultures, especially in India and family life is not often discussed. Sex and Reproductive education is not adequately stressed on both in schools and at homes. In India, for example, only 15% of young men and women (15–24 years) reported receiving any family life or sex education.(5) Young people need not only to know how to protect themselves but also to take responsibility of their health and have the means to do so. This includes being able to obtain correct information regarding their health, be able to report abuse and have a better access to medical facility for testing, treatment and counselling if need arises. In a report published by the IIPS and the population council of India, 83% of young men and 78% of young women (age 15-24) in the study felt that it is important to impart family life or sex education to youth.(6) However, almost half (47%) of young women and 16% of young men reported that they had never received information on sex or reproduction (prior to marriage among the married). This is corroborated with the finding that awareness on sex and reproductive health is very limited in the 15-24 age groups. Almost one in every seven (15%) young men and 4% of young women in the study had premarital sex. Also, many of the premarital sexual experiences reported by youth can be categorised as " high risk behaviour " , for example, 25% of young men and 21% of young women reporting premarital sex had sex with more than one partner. Moreover, consistent condom use was limited—only 13% of young men and 3% of young women reported condom use in all premarital encounters. (6) With this background it is imperative that families and communities be engaged in educating the adolescents on family life. This would help to foster better relationships within communities, give rise to positive role models, and help early identification of high risk behaviour. Globally, there were 49 births per 1000 girls aged 15 to 19, according to 2010 figures. 16% of women in India had their first child between 15-19 age groups while 56% of women residing in rural areas were married by the time of their 18 th birthday.(7) These vulnerable girls need not only good antenatal care but also information on contraception to control and regulated their pregnancies. Better access to contraception and value based, culture