OUR WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

The GL Dissolving Differences Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation founded by best selling author and TV host, Gregory Landsman.

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Over many years Gregory Landsman has worked extensively with ‘hardly reached’ adolescent groups e.g. Girl Guides; United Nations Think Tank for Youth; Breaking the Cycle; White Lion; and Reach Foundation. He has also been a strong advocate for International No-Diet Day.

Having grown up in Apartheid South Africa and worked at the height of the international fashion industry for more than 30 years Gregory has written books and started education programs to help counteract the impacts of body image dissatisfaction in children and young adults.

In 1994 he wrote the globally acclaimed book, ‘The Balance of Beauty Explodes the Body Myth’, which challenged the stereotype of physical beauty and uncovered some of the myths that create body dissatisfaction and limit self belief. This book is recommended reading for young people suffering from disordered eating and the impacts of low self esteem.

In 2003 the Dissolving Differences Program was created on the back of research undertaken by Gregory Landsman in Victorian primary schools (2003) into levels of body dissatisfaction with children 6-12 years. Results showed that 96% didn’t like the way they looked, which instigated a government enquiry into the issue of body image dissatisfaction in children.

In 2004, working with the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) the Dissolving Differences Program (DDP) was launched to 800 teachers and principals at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Since this time the DDP (including study guide written by Christine Evely, Head of Education, ACMI) has been distributed to schools by ATOM to support middle-years students overcome body dissatisfaction and build self-esteem.

The Foundation’s most recent project, Make the Kindness Connection™ is an evolution of the Dissolving Differences Program that has been operating successfully in schools since 2004.

MAKE THE KINDNESS CONNECTION™

This is our time for celebrating the best of our humanity

For individuality and self care

For inclusion, for acceptance and for equality

For what is real, what is good and what nurtures body and soul

For living peacefully, for breathing deeply and for sharing our best selves

For less judgement and more kindness

For open hearts, self belief and respect in action

For honouring uniqueness and the gifts we all bring

For a new way of being

That supports us all to celebrate our differences

And love more of who we are, just as we are…

Make the Kindness Connection™

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Gregory Landsman

Acknowledgement of Country

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We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this country.