A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student will hone his leadership, speaking and listening skills in preparation to represent young Australians at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya (20-30 June), as part of the national Global Voices project. Mr Matthew Lincoln, 26, who is studying for an environmental science degree, learned more about Australia's role in global environment and sustainable development when he visited Parliament in Canberra last week.There he met federal ministers and Opposition spokespeople to discuss environmental, social and sustainable development issues. Topics included protecting native forests to help combat climate change, capacity building for developing countries in the Pacific Islands, and how the federal government will address these in the future.  "It was great to engage politicians and discuss domestic and international policy from the perspective of younger Australians," Mr Lincoln said. While in Canberra, he also met with the Kenyan High Commission to explore the importance of education within Kenya to create a more sustainable and fair community.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff will take to the main street of Wagga Wagga in academic gowns on Thursday 27 March to promote the city's educational and training opportunities. The annual Town and Gown Parade will include participants from CSU, Wagga Wagga City Council, local schools, other education providers, and the Australian Defence Force. "Since 2005 the Town and Gown Parade has showcased Wagga Wagga's education achievements while encouraging the next generation to study locally," said Ms Miriam Dayhew, CSU Head of Campus in Wagga Wagga. The procession can be seen from 4.30pm as it moves from the corner of Morgan and Baylis Streets, along Baylis Street to the Victory Memorial Gardens. An education expo will be held at the gardens with refreshments and entertainment from 5pm.

The Faculty of Business at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst is staging an event on Thursday 3 April to recruit students to the 2014 Enactus program. Spokesperson for the project, marketing lecturer Dr Felicity Small from the CSU School of Management and Marketing, said, "Enactus is a voluntary student program which works with industry and the local community to 'make a difference'. This is a worldwide organisation and holds competitions both nationally and internationally to find the best student team. Last year we started a program called 'Fulfilling Individual's Talent' with Year-10 students at Denison College in Bathurst who were at risk of becoming disengaged with school. We helped them write resumes, set goals, and brought in motivational guest speakers. This year we invite all interested students at the University in Bathurst to an information session where we will do team-building activities for students who volunteer to take part in the Enactus program." The focus for 2014 Enactus activities in Bathurst will be determined by the volunteers.

Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Faculty of Science will celebrate the academic excellence of its students tomorrow, Tuesday 25 March, on the the Albury-Wodonga campus. The Dean of Science at CSU, Professor Tim Wess, will present nearly 100 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in allied health, environmental sciences and nursing courses, many of whom study via distance education, with Dean's Awards for excellence in their studies for at least one semester in 2013. Professor Wess will also present four prizes to top students in environmental sciences, podiatry and speech pathology during the event, which will commence at 2.30 pm on Tuesday 25 March at The Gums Café, CSU in Albury Wodonga, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

A team from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst has won the local Love Food Hate Waste Sustainable Shopping Challenge staged by Bathurst Regional Council and Woolworths. The CSU 'Team CO2' were Ms Rachel Cavallaro, Ms Cathy Glasson and Ms Bernadette Curtis all from the School of Management and Marketing, and Ms Judy Doulman from CSU Training. Ms Cavallaro said, "In NSW about $2.5 billion worth of edible food is thrown away annually, which costs each household about $1 000 per year. The Bathurst Love Food Hate Waste Sustainable Shopping Challenge was lots of fun but definitely testing. The sustainability focus of the challenge is well-matched to the University's aim, and it's in everyone's interest to shop and consume more sustainably." The challenge scenario required the team to do a $150 shop for a family of two within 20 minutes. Points were then allocated for the selected purchases for a range of sustainability criteria. The CSU team won by one point, and received $400 worth of Woolworths shopping vouchers. Participants were guided by sustainable shopping tip suggestions including 'buy local, buy recycled, and bring your own bag'.

Internationally acclaimed film director Mr Steve Pasvolsky will share tales of his diverse media career with Charles Sturt University (CSU) students in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 19 March. Mr Pasvolsky has worked in film, television and game development, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2003 for his short drama Inja. Mr Damian Candusso, senior lecturer at CSU's School of Communication and Creative Industries, said it's great that the University is able to host experts who are recognised on the world stage. "Steve Pasvolsky brings a diverse and highly successful career that all students across the communication and creative industries can benefit from here in regional NSW," he said.

A new international appointment for Charles Sturt University (CSU) Professor Max Finlayson has highlighted the high standing of CSU in international environmental research and policy development. Through collaboration between the Ramsar Secretariat, UNESCO's Institute for Water Education (IHE) and CSU, Professor Finlayson, the Director of the University's Institute for Land, Water and Society, was recently appointed as Ramsar Chair for Wise Use of Wetlands. In the new role, he will develop initiatives to further understanding how wetlands function and develop the link between wetlands and the communities that depend on them. He will collaborate with national and international organisations and experts to contribute to UNESCO-IHE's work and the Ramsar Convention's mission of promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands, while also maintaining his ongoing research program at CSU. "The Ramsar Chair will help us conduct robust research into better understanding of the ecology and management of wetlands. This develops further the history of collaboration between the Ramsar Secretariat, the Institute for Water Education and Charles Sturt University," said Mr Ken Irvine, Professor of Aquatic Ecosystems at UNESCO-IHE.

The cultural diversity of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will be celebrated with food, music and traditional dance on Friday 21 March. CSU staff and students will come together from 11am to 2pm for the annual Harmony Day event. This year Indigenous culture will be highlighted, with hip hop and traditional dance by students from Mount Austin High School in Wagga Wagga. "Harmony Day is about community participation, inclusiveness and respect," said International Student Support Officer Ms Jacqueline Blomfield. "Through international cuisine we'll celebrate the fact that we have such a wide range of young people from all walks of life and can learn from each other." The local event is organised by the Division of Student Services, Health Promotions Service and Indigenous Student Services. The International Student Club is encouraging people to share their thoughts about Australia on a poster which will be presented to Wagga Wagga City Council and the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga.

A new clinic at Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Community Engagement and Wellness (CEW) centre in Albury-Wodonga will combine expertise in sports medicine and biomechanics to treat people with sports and activity-related injuries. Former NSW champion woodchopper and podiatrist Mr Brent Smith has joined forces with physiotherapist Ms Carly Johnson in a combined sports and biomechanics clinic to be held each Wednesday morning at the CEW that combines their expertise in acute muscular, skeletal and sports medicine. Sports clubs and exercise groups are encouraged to take advantage of access to this expertise in the clinic, whereby students from CSU's podiatry and physiotherapy courses supervised by Ms Johnson and Mr Smith will be available to treat patients. Call (02) 6051 9299 to book an appointment for the Wednesday morning sports clinic.