Scholarship seeks to break glass ceiling - starting at grass roots

_{Anja Filip and Rosie Armstrong on a Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor education first semester field trip}

Auckland’s Anja Filip and Nelson-born Rosie Armstrong, already young champions of the environment, are dedicated to making an even bigger impact on the future of sustainability. They’re also both hungry for all the challenges the Ara |Te Pūkenga Bachelor of Sustainability & Outdoor Education has to offer, having just won the first-ever Fife Foundation scholarships, a generous grant covering the three - year programme of study.

Fife Foundation, a not-for-profit entity committed to improving lives and improving our planet, had originally proposed one recipient of the scholarship, but due to nationwide interest and the high calibre of applicants, it extended its offer to two young women.

Gina Satterthwaite, founder of Fife Foundation and whose daughter Georgia is near completing the degree herself said, “With their track record of overcoming challenges, commitment and creative thinking - key values of the Foundation, Anja and Rosie are the perfect recipients. We recognise that the sustainability industry as a whole has fairly equal gender representation, but this dramatically declines into senior and leadership roles. We hope that by supporting these passionate and committed women, who are already making their mark on the grass roots agenda, other women will consider a similar future, and will one day shake up the boardroom.”

_{Georgia Satterthwaite is completing the Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Sustainability.}

Ara’s Scholarship Coordinator Kathryn Fraser said it had been a pleasure working with the Fife Foundation to achieve what is a scholarship milestone.

“This was already the most significant scholarship offering at Ara. We are thrilled that the Fife Foundation has generously found a way to extend it to two outstanding students,” Fraser said. 

Anja and Rosie say they’re grateful for the foundation’s belief in them and are delighted to be on a programme that is not only a “perfect fit” but one that can propel their passion, education and future mark on New Zealand’s sustainability sector, to the next level.

Both young women are no strangers to leading the charge and informing the community around them on sustainable messages.

Describing herself as an “outdoors kid”, Aucklander Anja Filip said she’s largely self-taught when it comes to the environment. “I read books and did free courses online. I also learned a lot through field work and volunteer days with various groups such as the Forest & Bird Youth leadership team,” she said. 

“With the hands-on experience and leadership skills I gained, I started an environmental action group at my high school. I provided lunchtime workshops for close to 60 students covering everything from biodiversity, freshwater monitoring and pest control. We adopted a native bush area neighbouring the school where we did practical activities like trapping and tree-planting and water testing. 

“I put my heart and soul into that project and wanted it to be accessible for all students,” Filip said.  “In the future I would like to see growth in accessible ways for youth to learn about the environment and how they can help”.

Nelson local, Rosie Armstrong, had also held leadership roles, sat on environmental committees attended conferences such as UN Youth and experienced Outward Bound. Of particular importance to her, was the connection between nature and wellbeing.

“Being in the outdoors undoubtedly has benefits to mental health,” she said. “Personally, I have felt my happiest outside - but doing things for the greater good of the environment enhances wellbeing too.” She’s optimistic that change can start small. “Single and simple actions can have a ripple effect on society and I’m hopeful that with my passion and understanding, I can encourage more people to think and live sustainably.”

Armstrong was grateful to those who have inspired her – and said it had made her want to learn even more and give back. “Every instructor I have had has given me something and I’d like to be that person for others one day,” she said. 

Armstrong added she feels fortunate and almost can’t believe she’s found her path. “The degree is a dream course with the combination of practical work and theory I was looking for. It ticks all the boxes of being a mental and physical challenge with a focus on sustainability,” she said.

Filip said the financial support of the Fife scholarship will enable her to upskill and spread more sustainable awareness at a grass roots level, faster.  

“I’m so thrilled to get the scholarship because it means that I can further my efforts to provide environmental education and opportunities for youth,” she said. “I have some big goals for the future. One of them is to walk Te Araroa (“the long path”) stopping into schools and community groups along the way, to share sustainable education and to encourage them to start their own environmental projects specific to their areas.”

Armstrong agreed empowering others is key. 

“I’m determined to study hard, experience lots and make a difference in the world,” she said. “I’d love to see changes in the New Zealand curriculum to make learning about the environment, by connecting with it, accessible for all. After all, the world is nothing without our environment,” she said. 

For more information about Ara’s |Te Pūkenga Bachelor of Sustainability & Outdoor Education and the Fife Foundation scholarship visit www.fifefoundation.nz.org or Sustainability and Outdoor Education - Ara