Australian Children: Locally Secure, Globally Afraid?

Abstract

Australia can be described as a modern, technologically advanced and wealthy Western society that holds a somewhat confused place in the global community. Australians consider themselves to be active global citizens and as such enjoy participation in discourses regarding world futures, politics, environmental sustainability and terrorism. While Australian governments have forged strong international alliances, the rest of the world is often accused of largely ignoring the Australian 'position' on key issues. However, in geographic terms, Australia is a long way from everywhere. Even with this relative remoteness of their place in the world, Australians are regularly confronted with images and information of issues a long way from home