Nearly 40 HSC history students and teachers attended a recent forum with two leading US election strategists to discuss the US primaries and upcoming November election.

The forum was the second event organised by BOSTES and the US Consulate General for HSC students. Last year over 50 students attended a forum with US entrepreneur Peter Shankman.

The two US election strategists, in Australia for a series of public events, were:

Penny Lee – Democratic strategist

Ms Lee was the top communications and political advisor to US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, former Executive Director of the Democratic Governors Association and communications director for Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell.

Noam Neusner – Republican strategist

Mr Neusner was President George W. Bush’s primary speechwriter on domestic policy matters, including tax relief, Medicare reform, energy, and the environment. He also served as Director of Communications and Strategic Planning at the Office of Management and Budget.

BOSTES HSIE Inspector, Darren Tayler, explained that HSC history students are asked to develop a deep understanding of major world events and their causes and consequences, leading historical personalities, and the big historical debates.

“The forum was a great opportunity for these students to assess alternative points of view as well as build on their understanding of US politics.”

The students at the forum came from the following schools:

• Al-Faisal College
• Barker College
• Canley Vale High School
• Fort Street High School
• Girraween High School
• Northern Beaches Secondary College – Manly Campus

The forum was also attended by representatives of the History Teachers Association.

For more information, contact:
Michael Charlton
Director, Media
michael.charlton@bostes.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8248