Educating The Future

Educating The Future is a nonprofit organisation founded by Young Australian of the Year nominees Adam Hegedus and Alessandro Piovano, aged 18. Following the completion of their High School Certificates, both students embarked on a walk from Waverley College near Bondi Beach to Byron Bay, spanning 758 km and lasting 21 days. Each day consisted of approximately 35 km of walking, which was just the two young students supported by a variety of sponsors and an array of media organisations. Following completion of the walk, being first to "Walk To Schoolies", Adam & Alessandro alleviated the negative stigma attached to 'schoolies' and raised $20,000 which would be used to build their first school in Timor-Leste and begin their organisation Educating The Future. This student-run organisation aims to "empower disadvantaged youth through the power of education" with the objectives of enabling, educating and empowering. The organisation supports the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and Australia's "Close The Gap" campaign.

Educating The Future's international impact resides in Timor-Leste (East Timor), with a median age of 18. Their programs include the construction of a pre-school in the Ermera District, providing learning materials in tangent with Rotary Dili, teacher training and student sponsorship. Domestically in Australia, Educating The Future is looking to begin programs in rural NSW and towards refugees, influenced by NSW Australian of the Year Deng Adut's advocacy.