The Next Generation of Ethical Leaders
Students Leading Change Through the Design Out Racism Challenge
A group of students in New South Wales have taken on one of society’s most complex challenges — and shown what ethical leadership can look like in action.
Through the Design Out Racism Challenge, a pilot initiative delivered by the Menzies Leadership Foundation in partnership with The Ethics Centre, Year 10 students were invited to explore how ethical thinking, systems awareness and creativity can help address racism in their communities.
Today, we are proud to announce the winning team.
🏆 Winning Entry
Stand Up, Take It Down
Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview
Charles Fuller, Xavier A, Maxwell Quirk
This year’s winning entry stood out for its powerful simplicity.
Using visual storytelling and minimal dialogue, the team created a film that builds quiet tension through the image of a sign bearing racial slurs — the words blacked out. The final act of cutting the sign down delivers a message that is both symbolic and deeply human: we all have a role to play in removing racism from our communities.
The judging panel praised the film for its emotional awareness, creative restraint, and clear call to action. In a field of thoughtful and compelling entries, Stand Up, Take It Down rose to the top by trusting its audience and letting the story speak for itself.
👉 Watch the winning entry on Videos for Change
A Pilot Exploring Ethical Leadership in Action
The Design Out Racism Challenge forms part of the Foundation’s broader Emerging Leaders initiative, which explores how young people can develop the capabilities needed to lead in an increasingly complex world.
Students participated in the Ethics-Centred Leadership – Design New Futures program, developing a personal ethics framework before applying it to a real-world challenge.
Working in teams, they were asked to:
- identify an issue of racism or discrimination
- explore its root causes and systems
- design a response grounded in ethical thinking
- communicate their idea through a one-minute film
The result was a series of thoughtful, creative and courageous student projects — each offering a unique perspective on how racism is experienced and how it can be addressed.
While one team was selected as the overall winner, all five entries demonstrated creativity, insight and a strong commitment to the issue. From exploring everyday language and social behaviours, to examining systemic issues and the role of digital platforms, each project reflected the students’ ability to think critically and act with purpose.
These projects highlight what is possible when young people are given the tools to engage with complex challenges — not as abstract ideas, but as issues they can influence and change.
Young people today are navigating a world shaped by rapid technological change, social division and increasing complexity. Helping them develop the ability to think ethically, understand systems and collaborate with others is becoming essential.
Programs like the Design Out Racism Challenge demonstrate how education can go beyond knowledge — building the capability to act, lead and contribute meaningfully to society.
At the Menzies Leadership Foundation, we believe the future of our communities depends on who gets to shape them. Too often, the voices best placed to challenge the systems that cause harm are the ones least invited to the table.
The students behind the Design Out Racism Challenge are a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when that changes. Young people are showing that ethical leadership is not something you grow into — it is something you can practise right now.
Watch the winning entry. Explore the projects. And if you believe young people belong at the centre of the decisions that shape their future — help us build the conditions that make that possible.
