Youth Field Xpress
ISSN 1440-8651Issue n.116, April 2006
Vale Danny Sandor
We are sad to report that Danny Sandor, known to many in the youth field for being a keen advocate for youth especially in the areas of child protection and juvenile justice in Victoria, passed away in February. The Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues pays tribute to him in their April newsletter, outlining his many achievements: board member of the National Children's and Youth Law Centre, member of the Victorian Attorney General's Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Transgender legal isues and was active in the Defence of Children International. Former Chief Justice of the Family Court, Alastair Nicholson, for whom Danny Sandor worked as an associate, wrote of him in an obituary published in The Age on 27 March that in all he did, Danny 'ensured that the voices of young people were heard and their best interests considered'. See the CMYI obituary at: http://www.cmyi.net.au/CMYIeNews#DannySandor
ARTS, MUSIC
Billboard art: 'Where is my mind?'
The youth art festival NOISE and the innovative online youth mental health service Reach Out! have joined together for an art billboard competition called 'Where is my mind?' Five winners will get their art displayed on billboards across Australia and three runners-up will see their work nationally distributed on Avant Cards. Go to http://www.reachout.com.au for more information. The winning works will also be showcased on the NOISE and Reach Out! websites in July 2006. The closing date for entries is 31 May 2006.ABUSE
Child abuse prevention help sheet
The Summer 2006 edition of the National Child Protection Clearinghouse's 'Child Abuse Prevention Newsletter' contains the second in a series of 'help sheets' designed to inform organisations working with children on a range of issues related to child abuse prevention. This help sheet contains 'guidelines for the recruitment and screening of staff and volunteers who may deal with children and young people on a regular basis'. The help sheet also contains useful information on and links to a number of relevant organisations. (Source: 'Child Abuse Prevention Newsletter', v.14, n.1, Summer 2006, pp.3-8.)
CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP
Forum on civics and citizenship education
The Australian Curriculum Studies Association (ACSA) has been commissioned by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) to organise the 2006 National Civics and Citizenship Forum to be held in Canberra on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 June 2006 at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra, ACT. The forum aims to maintain and raise the national profile of civics and citizenship education in schools by providing examples of good practice in Australian schools and by providing information about national assessment, statements of learning and human rights education. The forum will be looking at global citizenship with a focus on human rights and Indigenous rights. There are positions available for people interested in civics and citizenship to attend. This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training under the civics and citizenship education program. Meeting costs for the forum are $140.00. Contact: Curriculum Studies Association, PO Box 331, Deakin West, ACT 2600. Ph: (02) 6260 5660; fax (02) 6260 5665; email: Barbara.Waugh[AT]acsa.edu.au
CONFERENCES
Empowering individuals and families in the human services
This conference, to be held in Melbourne on 16-17 May 2006, will explore public policy issues concerning individuals and families in Indigenous communities, and issues, such as disability, mental health, aged care, youth, education, health care, community building and family strengthening. Keynote speaker is Noel Pearson of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership. Contact Social Enterprise Partnerships, 2 Elm Street, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051; ph: (03) 9326 4481; fax: (03) 9326 8030; email: vern[AT]partnerships.org.au; website: http://www.partnerships.org.au/PolicyConference2006.htm (Source: 'Healthlink', Summer-Autumn 2006, p.24.)
CRIME AND JUSTICE
Role of the youth sector in crime prevention
The February 2006 edition of 'YAPRap', the newsletter of the Youth Action and Policy Association in New South Wales, contains the third in a series of articles on youth crime by Garner Clancy from consultancy, research and training company CHD Partners. The article gives reasons for the rise of crime prevention initiatives in recent decades, and outlines different types of crime prevention initiatives (criminal justice, situational, social and developmental). Garner goes on to highlight the role of the youth sector in crime prevention and suggests practical ways that youth services can improve their role by addressing issues related to their strategy and culture, service design and delivery, staffing and resources, management, and their relationships and partnerships with other agencies. The article also contains summaries of the first two articles in the series, the first on youth crime in New South Wales and the second on the causes of youth crime. These appeared in the November-December 2005 and the January 2006 editions of 'YAPRap' respectively. (Source: 'YAPRap', v.16, n.2, February 2006, pp.15-18.)
Wilderness programs and boot camps -- are they effective?
The Australian Institute of Criminology's latest AICrime Reduction Matters fact sheet gives a brief overview of research into the effectiveness of military-style 'boot camps' and similar adventure activities as crime prevention strategies for at-risk youth. While research into the effectiveness of these programs produced mixed results (in terms of their effect on recidivism rates), it suggests that it is the 'therapeutic' elements of these camps rather than the 'militaristic and physical' elements that determine their success. The fact sheet also lists components likely to increase the success of such programs, including 'thorough assessment and ongoing monitoring of participants', 'meaningful and substantial contact between participants and treatment personnel' and the 'inclusion of an aftercare component'. The AIC releases its AICrime Reduction Matters fact sheets monthly. 'AICrime reduction matters No. 44: Wilderness programs and boot camps -- are they effective?' can be downloaded from: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/crm/crm044.html (Source: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2006, 'AICrime reduction matters No. 44: Wilderness programs and boot camps - are they effective?' viewed 6 April 2006.)
Juvenile justice in Australia: new report
A new report from the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, 'Juvenile justice in Australia 2000-01 to 2003-04', examines the periods of time that young people across Australia spent in detention and under community-based supervision and how those periods were managed. Besides providing statistics on young people within the juvenile justice system, the report also describes existing diversity in legislation, policy and practices. Download it in PDF format from: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/juv/jja00-04/jja00-04.pdf (Note that the report's State and Territory appendices are available online only, at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/10244
DISABILITIES
The Youth Disability Advocacy Service
YDAS was officially launched in Victoria on Monday 10 April, in the wake of National Youth Week. YDAS will be delivered by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, Youthlaw and the Disability Discrimination Legal Service. Contact: George Taleporos at YACVic, ph: (03) 9267 3755.
'Ok, let's talk about me'
This is documentary film about Eddie Jenkinson, a 17-year-old young man with Down Syndrome. The film follows Eddie, 'a unique young man with a passion for life', as he prepares to turn 18 and leave school. The film, directed by Sophie Hyde, 'touches on the ideas of intellectual impairment and impending adulthood'. The film and its accompanying study guide are available from Ronin Films: http://www.roninfilms.com.au/video/1937033/0/2412493182.html (Source: 'Link' v.15, n.1, April 2006, p.34.)
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
Sunshine Coast Schoolies' Week strategy
Since 1994, Community Solutions Inc., a community organisation based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, has co-ordinated a community-based strategy to reduce the risky behaviour of 'schoolies' (school leavers) during annual Schoolies' Week celebrations in the area, while still retaining the 'positive and meaningful aspects' of this rite of passage. The Sunshine Coast Schoolies' Week Strategy is planned with a focus on community engagement and is implemented by a taskforce including representatives from local government, State government departments and community organisations. Components of the strategy designed to reduce risky 'schoolies' behaviour include limiting planned events to 16- to 18-year-olds, designing entertainment events 'appropriate to the needs of school leavers', a transport strategy to ensure safe travel to and from events, and an enforcement strategy targeting non-schoolies. (Source: 'ADCA News' v.29, March 2006, pp.3,7.)
Study into the combined effects of ecstasy and loud music
A study undertaken by researchers at the Institute of Neurological Science in Catanzaro, Italy, has found that exposure to noise prolongs the effects of MDMA (ecstasy) in the brains of rats, resulting in a loss of brain power. 'Previous studies suggest that such loss of power is related to brain hyperactivity and can ultimately lead to depression.' The results of the study, while not directly related to humans, may have implications for partygoers who take ecstasy at nightclubs and other venues where loud music is played. Source: Coghlan, A., (2006), 'Ecstasy and loud music are a bad mix', NewScientist.com, viewed 6 April 2006 at: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18925393.800
Drug policy failing?
Another voice calling for the issue of drug abuse to be confronted as a health rather than a legal problem is to be found in a recent report from the Australia Institute. 'Drug law reform: Beyond prohibition', by the institute's deputy director, Andrew Macintosh, calls on governments to shift the emphasis in dealing with illicit drugs from law enforcement to treatment and prevention strategies. He argues that Australia's 'Tough on drugs' policy has failed to significantly reduce domestic drug markets or confront drug-related mental health disorders. See: http://www.tai.org.au/
DrugInfo Clearinghouse clarifies Ice
The DrugInfo clearinghouse issues a newsletter each quarter, and for its members, issues an alert on a topic of current interest. This time their members' email alert looks at how recent media coverage has focused on the prevalence and impact of crystal methamphetamine or 'ice'. Their alert summarises the coverage by not only a recent ABC Four Corners program but also succinctly provides links to key research from organisations such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. An initiative of the Australian Drug Foundation and supported by the Victorian Premier’s Drug Prevention Council, DrugInfo's key focus is on drug prevention, providing coverage of news, events, research and practice for workers and professionals in the field, as well as the general community. For membership which allows access to alerts such as this, contact the DrugInfo Clearinghouse by phone: 1300 85 85 84 or sign up online at: http://druginfo.adf.org.au/membership
EDUCATION
State and Territory education news 'In Brief'
'Professional Educator', the education magazine published for the Australian College of Educators by the Australian Council for Educational Research, contains a regular 'In Brief' column with education-related news from States and Territories around Australia. The March 2006 issue includes a piece on student bus travel issues in Queensland and Tasmania. In Queensland, a new State government code of conduct allows Queensland students to be 'suspended or banned from travelling on buses for fighting, inappropriate use of mobile phones and cameras, offensive language, spitting, throwing objects or moving frequently between seats'. In Tasmania, the local branch of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union is threatening to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner 'if the State bus service and the Tasmanian Department of Education fail to develop a plan to deal with dangerous student behaviour on buses'. The column also notes conflicting opinions on the readiness of English teachers in Western Australia to implement the new outcomes-based education course this year. To suggest content for the column, contact 'Professional Educator': email: editor.profeducator[at]acer.edu.au; website: http://www.acer.edu.au/publications/acerpress/profed/overview.html (Source: 'Professional Educator", v.5, n.1, March 2006, p.29.)
FAMILIES
The Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia
This clearinghouse is for those working in the field of early childhood and community development. CAFCA 'will support initiatives that develop and promote improved services and practices toward child-friendly communities'. CAFCA continues the work of the Stronger Families Learning Exchange. For more details, see the CAFCA website http://www.aifs.gov.au/cafca/
HEALTH
Health inequalities in Australia
This statistical report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in conjunction with the Queensland University of Technology contains information about the morbidity and morbidity-related inequalities in health according to area-level socioeconomic disadvantage, equivalised household income, education and occupation among infants and children, young adults, working-aged adults and older persons for the periods 1989–90, 1995 and 2001. The health of the Australian population improved markedly during the twentieth century. Despite these improvements, Australia at the beginning of the twenty-first century is characterised by significant health inequalities. This report is the second in a series that focuses on different aspects of health inequalities in Australia. Other reports in the series examine health inequalities in mortality, and the measurement of socioeconomic position in population health. AIHW catalogue number PHE 72. The report itself is at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10272 and the media release at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/mediacentre/2006/mr20060407.cfm
Better practice in youth health
The National Association for Adolescent Health has re-released their popular report, 'Getting it right: Models of better practice in youth health' after doing a 'minor edit' on the original 1999 document. See: http://www.naah.org.au for the report, or download it in PDF format from: http://www.naah.org.au/download_files/GIR%20Full%20Report%202005.pdf The Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health's (CAAH) recently released the 'Youth health better practice framework', available for download as a PDF from: (http://www.caah.chw.edu.au/resources/access_fact_sheets.pdf Contact Evelyn at CAAH for more information: ph: (02) 9845 3338, or email: caah[AT]chw.edu.au
HOMELESSNESS
Young people, homelessness and public space
The February 2006 (v.19, n.1) edition of 'Parity', the publication of the Council to Homeless Persons, is devoted to public space and homelessness issues. It features a chapter specifically focused on young people and public space which contains the articles 'Shelter from the storm?' by Anna Forsyth (Youth Policy Officer, Council to Homeless Persons) and Jen Rose (Policy Officer, Youth Affairs Council of Victoria), 'Out of order? The increasing regulation of young people in public space' by Paula Grogan (Director, Youthaw), 'Cleaning up the streets: Cultural resistance, coercive force and social inequality' by Rob White (School of Sociology and Social Work, University of Tasmania) and 'Public space and violence in young people experiencing homelessness' by Tim Bryar (Health Promotion Coordinator, Young People's Health Service). For further information, visit: http://www.chp.org.au/parity
INCOMES AND EXPENDITURES
The Enterprise Network for Young Australians, or ENYA, is a not-for-profit organisation run by young people. With support of the Commonwealth Bank Foundation, ENYA has developed the Money$ense Financial Literacy Workshops. This follows recent research by the Commonwealth Bank Foundation, involving 5,000 Australians aged between 16 and 65. That research concluded that16- to 20-year-olds are the group most likely to be financially unaware and lacking in skills to make informed decisions about the use and management of money. ENYA's Money$ense workshops target the 16- to 25-year-old agegroup, and take participants through a series of modules and activities concerning budgeting, saving, managing debt, investing and being entrepreneurial, and about making informed financial decisions. For the dates and locations of workshops, see: http://enya.org.au/
INDIGENOUS YOUTH
Quality assurance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child care
While this newsletter focuses on issues concerning young people aged 12 to 25, other organisations needing information affecting the lower end of that demographic should know that the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA), together with the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care and the National Childcare Accreditation Council, is investigating the 'viability of developing a culturally appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child care quality assurance system'. See their literature review and background paper,'Preparing the ground for partnership: Exploring quality assurance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child care', by K. Priest, at: http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/childcare/qa-qa_indigenous_child_care.htm
Speak UP: Children, youth and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has just released an information brochure on indigenous children and youth which encourages the active participation of Indigenous young people in the sessions of the forum. For a copy of the brochure, contact: indigenouspermanentforum[AT]un.org, or download it from: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/publications.html
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
France's recent crisis over youth employment laws
In France, President Jacques Chirac recently 'caved in' to the country's biggest street protests for decades by scrapping France's controversial new youth employment law. The First Employment Contract, which allowed young workers to be sacked without reason during their first two years in the job, caused much protest and a political crisis. For more background, see The Guardian, 11 April 2006 at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,1751386,00.html and a background piece on the labor markets in France at: http://www.becker-posner-blog.com/archives/2006/03/comment_on_the_2.html
MEDIA
Film Australia catalogue
Film Australia has released its 2006 catalogue of television documentaries and educational programs, which contains information on new and recent releases as well as a selection of its 'classic' and backlisted titles. Film Australia's mission is to create 'an audiovisual record of Australian life, through the commissioning, distribution, and management of programs that deal with matters of interest to Australia or illustrate and interpret aspects of Australian life'. By registering as a Film Australia online member, you can receive email notification of broadcast times for Film Australia titles as well as information on new releases and the availability of teachers' notes for titles. Film Australia also produces an Indigenous Studies Catalogue, which contains titles from Australia, the Pacific, West Papua and Papua New Guinea. For further information, contact Film Australia: PO Box 46, Lindfield NSW 2070; ph: (02) 9413 8634 or (02) 9413 8777; fax: (02) 9416 9401; email: sales[AT]filmaust.com.au; website: http://www.filmaust.com.au
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental illness recovery toolkit
There's now an online toolkit of information and resources to help people affected by mental illness with the process of recovery. Auseinet, the Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health, has developed it as a support for jurisdictions, service providers, consumers and carers. The need for an easily accessible, comprehensive collection of resources on the subject of recovery was identified by participants involved in a series of State and Territory consultations on the document, 'Pathways of recovery: Preventing relapse' by Dr Debra Rickwood. The content of the toolkit was developed from feedback at national consultations and from members of the Auseinet Consumer and Carer Consultative Committee and their networks. The toolkit contains relevant State, Federal and international mental health policy documents, care planning information, documents and publications on recovery and self-help, links to online fact sheets about recovery, links to national and international organisations providing recovery-oriented activities, information on Australian recovery initiatives that are examples of good practice and a moderated discussion forum. See: http://www.auseinet.com/toolkit Auseinet is keen to receive feedback on the useability and content of the toolkit. Contact Joy Sims, information officer, Auseinet c/ Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001; ph: (08) 8201 7681; fax: (08) 8201 7673; email: joy.sims[at]flinders.edu.au; website: http://www.auseinet.com
Tell someone Project
This online research project examines trauma-related issues, such as depression, domestic and sexual abuse and suicide. RMIT researchers are currently calling for 5,000 volunteers to complete an anonymous online survey that will be the basis for creating a better understanding of these serious problems. The survey hopes to help researchers to find out what it is that's causing an epidemic of depression, suicide, trauma, and domestic and sexual abuse in our community. The researchers are keen to reach as many people globally as possible, and to be inclusive of the most vulnerable groups within communities. It is not necessary for all participants to have had personal experience of trauma. The survey is online and completely anonymous. The survey questions are 'intensely personal and they are very sensitive issues. That's why we thought it was important to create an online format, because that's a very private and a very safe environment and format for people to use'. The Tell Someone Project survey will be available online for at least six months at: http://weblearn.rmit.edu.au/tellsomeone/
Streetwize: Information on self-harm and young people
Streetwize, with funding from the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS), and in partnership with the NSW peak homelessness body, Youth Accommodation Association, is currently developing a new comic about young people who self-harm or are at risk of self-harming. The project includes a worker's kit for service providers in the refuge or SAAP sector, which will look at some intervention strategies with young people who self-harm. DoCS will initiate training for workers at the close of the project. For details, send an email to: jackie[AT]streetwize.com.au
Rural Health Education Foundation
A live satellite broadcast on psychiatric emergencies was aired on 11 and 13 April by the RHE Foundation. The program focused on Australian youth and the onset of disorders such as bipolar disease and schizophrenia, the incidence of substance misuse as a co-morbidity factor, and on appropriate management strategies for rural and remote patients, carers and health professionals involved in the management of a mental health emergency. The program is available on DVD and video for purchase from the foundation or download it as a podcast from: http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/605/605.html
'A national approach to mental health: From crisis to community'
The first report from the Senate Select Committee on Mental Health is a wide-ranging review of many aspects of mental health care in Australia, and contains a set of unanimous recommendations. It's online in full text at: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/mentalhealth_ctte/report/index.htm A brief second report, with more detailed recommendations from the committee's findings on particular areas of concern, is due soon.
MENTORING
Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance
The Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance was formally launched on 22 March in response to the need of youth mentoring programs in Victoria for a forum for developing and sharing practices, policies and ideas. VYMA will work closely with the newly formed National Youth Mentoring Network, mentioned in a recent issue of this newsletter. See: http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/html/register.html or contact: Mick Murphy, ph: (03) 5633 2868 or email: bblllen[AT]dcsi.net.au (Source: Youth Mentoring Network newsletter, April 2006.)
MOVEMENTS, CHANGES, MILESTONES
The Equity Research Centre has moved to: 106/134 Cambridge Street, Collingwood Victoria 3066. Ph: (03) 9417 5355; fax: (03) 9417 5941; email: admin[AT]equityresearch.org.au, web: http://www.equityresearch.org.au
Youth Research Centre: New faculty, new web address
The University of Melbourne's Faculty of Education, home of the Youth Research Centre (YRC), has undergone a 'major structural transformation': its four existing departments were officially merged into a single department, the Faculty of Education, with 11 academic clusters reflecting disciplinary expertise, common research and teaching interests. The Youth Research Centre, located within the Melbourne Education Research Institute (MERI), has become part of the Education, Equity and Social Change (EESC) cluster, along with the Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood (CEIEC), the Student Welfare Unit, and Health, Physical Education and Outdoor Education. As a result, the YRC website has a new web address: http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/eesc/yrc (Source: 'Youth Research News' v.16, n.1, March 2006, p.1.)
POLICY
In July, the United Nations Youth Association of Australia will launch a biannual journal on international relations and foreign policy. 'Horizons' will be peer-reviewed, and 'youth-run'. The deadline for submission of articles for the first issue is 30 April 2006. See UNYA for details: http://www.unya.asn.au/
PUBLIC SPACE
Skate parks and youth crime
The March 2006 edition of 'YAPRap', the newsletter of the Youth Action and Policy Association in New South Wales, contains the fourth in a series of articles on youth crime by Garner Clancy from consultancy, research and training company CHD Partners. In this article, Garner tackles the issue of skate parks and crime (and whether or not the two are necessarily related), using a scenario in a Sydney local government area in which a proposed skate park development was assessed by local police as having a moderate crime-risk rating. Garner provides a critique of the current NSW Police Safer by Design Crime Risk Evaluation process for public facilities such as skate parks. Garner says that 'the assertion that skate parks increase crime is problematic and that processes to assess the crime risks of youth facilities need to be considered within a wider context.' (Source: 'YAPRap' v.16, n.3, March 2006, pp.14-20.)
The Yspace network news bulletin
The Yspace network was formed several years ago to foster and support the development of youth-inclusive policy and practice in the design and management of public and community accessed spaces. The network is used by researchers, young people, various levels of government, planners and youth services to share information, insights, good practice, resources and concerns. Now, YSPACE invites youth researchers and anyone who works with young people to become a member of their mailing list and receive their news bulletin via email every two months. Additionally, members can submit information to the Yspace administrator for inclusion in the bulletin. Contact the Yspace administrator, Megan McKay at mj.mckay[AT]student.qut.edu.au
Young people and the built environment
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People invited Streetwize to write a submission for the inquiry into Children, Young People and the Built Environment. Streetwize teamed up with the NAPCAN Foundation, who commissioned a specialist report addressing the relationship between the built environment and children's wellbeing. The submission is part of an ongoing partnership between Streetwize and NAPCAN. Look out for the Young Visions Toolkit, available later this year, which will aid communities to create child-friendly environments and build stronger relationships (Source: Streetwize news, http://www.streetwize.com.au/news.html)
REFUGEES
Northern Migrant and Refugee Youth Council
Melbourne's Northern Migrant Resource Centre is busy establishing a Northern Migrant and Refugee Youth Council. This will comprise a committee of young people from CALD backgrounds and will be open to general membership. The group will advocate on behalf of young migrants and refugees in the northern metropolitan region of Melbourne and will lobby government groups and service providers in relation to youth issues and gaps in service provision. The group will access information through community consultations, review relevant research and attend various local and broader forums. This will provide young migrants and refugees with an independent voice and great skills development in leadership roles. The NMRC is currently accepting applications and referrals to the Youth Council. For more information, contact Hala on (03) 9484 7944 or email: halaa[AT]mrcne.org.au
RESEARCH
Student Action Teams
The Australian Youth Research Centre (AYRC) has a new book available on the evaluation of Student Action Teams in primary and secondary schools in the City of Darebin, Victoria. 'Student Action Teams: Implementing productive practices in primary and secondary school classrooms', produced through 'Connect' magazine, costs $33 plus postage (GST included). The AYRC's 2001 report 'Working paper 21: Student Action Teams: An evaluation: 1999-2000' and their 2003 report, 'Research report 22: Student Action Teams: Phase 2: 2001-2002: An evaluation of implementation and impact' are also available for purchase. Contact the AYRC, Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne; ph: (03) 8344 9633; fax: (03) 8344 9632; email: yrc[at]edfac.unimelb.edu.au; website: http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/eesc/yrc More information on Student Action Teams as well as an AYRC manual on how to establish and maintain Student Action Teams within school communities, is available for download from the Victorian Department of Education and Training, at: http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/mys/engagement/index.htm
The South Australian Office for Youth has an adapted version of this manual for use in South Australian schools -- contact Joanne Wilson, Youth Policy Officer, Office for Youth (South Australia), ph: (08) 8207 0613; fax (08) 8207 0651; email joanne.wilson[at]dfc.sa.gov.au; website: http://www.officeforyouth.sa.gov.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=92 (or get there via: http://tinyurl.com/kx3ne ) Source: 'Youth Research News' v.16, n.1, March 2006, p.1.)
Gap year volunteer programs
The Summer/Autumn 2005 edition of 'Voluntary Action', the journal of the Institute for Volunteering Research, contains an interesting article on research into the 'gap year phenomenon' by Andrew Jones, School of Geography, Birkbeck College, University of London. For those unaware, a 'gap year' refers to a year taken off from work or study by young people which is used to take up an activity, such as international volunteering. Jones assesses the value of two volunteer overseas service programs for young people, one in Vietnam, the other in Tanzania. (Source: 'Voluntary Action', v.7, n.2, Summer/Autumn 2005, pp.87-99.)
SEXUAL HEALTH
Sex now...' sexual negotiation and sexual safety
Streetwize Communications, producers of innovative comics for the youth sector, has recently worked with Dr Moira Carmody of the University of Western Sydney and the NSW Rape Crisis Centre to develop a set of characters and design a recruitment postcard for a two-year research project. The project will survey young men and women aged 16 to 25 about their decisions regarding sex, and the information collected will help in the development of a non-violence education program. The goal of the project is to promote anti-violence education and social policy to prevent sexual violence within young people's relationships. To check out the art produced by Streetwize, or for more information about the project, visit http://www.sexualethics.com.au (Source: Streetwize news, http://www.streetwize.com.au/news.html )
A position statement from the National Association for Adolescent Health
NAAH has developed a position statement on specific issues concerning young people and sexual health. It includes strategies for workers in relation to best practice in this area. See: http://www.naah.org.au
SPORT
Worldwide: Sports and civic participation in the USA and abroad
In preparation for October's United Nations Youth Leadership Summit in New York, youth delegates have chosen sport as a major focus in striving toward the Millennium Development Goals. This move points to recent efforts being made in the USA and abroad to develop the link between youth participation in sports and civic engagement. In a February review of 'Participation in sports and civic engagement', a report released by CIRCLE, Mark Lopez, the study's primary author, is quoted emphasising the 'positive civic effect' that involvement in sports during high school years has on young people. While controlling for additional factors that may contribute to volunteering rates, the percentage of youth registered to vote, the percentage of youth who do vote, and the percentage of youth who follow the news closely, a statistically significant relationship between participation in sports and each of these variables remains. (Source: Innovations in Civic Participation's 'ICP News: Service News Worldwide', March 2006; http://www.icicp.org/ )
Sport and recreation awareness among at-risk youth
ACT Sport is currently undertaking a project at Quamby Youth Detention Centre in Canberra to increase sport and recreation awareness, and awareness of the health-related benefits of sports participation, among youth at the centre. Famous Australian athletes, such as sprinter Patrick Johnson, have visited the centre to speak to youth at the centre about how sport has helped them in other areas of their lives. The project aims to provide youth with information and skills to assist them in their re-introduction to society. (Source: 'Healthlink', Summer-Autumn 2006, p.17.)
STATE NEWS
University of South Australia: Call for participants in youth weight loss program
Dr Jon Buckley and Dr Alison Coates, researchers at the University of South Australia, are calling for adolescents to participate in a new weight-loss program aimed at reducing childhood obesity. The study will use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to 'change the way parents and adolescents think and behave when it comes to making choices about their activity, exercise and diet'. Sessions of the eight-week program will begin in May and September. For further information, call (08) 8302 2097. (Source: The Adelaide Advertiser, 31 March 2006, p.14.)
Tasmania's youth peak moving up in the world
In Tasmania, the Office Of Youth Affairs is to be moved to the Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet where it will be known as the Office of Children and Youth, under responsibility of the Premier Paul Lennon. The non-government youth peak YNOT is excited about this because, it says, 'we have advocated for a long time that OYA should be located with other "social justice" offices such as Women Tasmania and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, in DPAC'. However YNOT expressed a reservation: 'youth organisations such as YNOT will need to work to ensure that youth issues are not subsumed by the (often more high profile) needs of younger children, particularly those at risk.' (Source: YNOT email, 5 April 2006; http://www.ynot.org.au )
In other Tasmanian news, Mission Australia is calling on the youth of Tasmania to become active members of a new Tasmanian Youth Advisory Board (YAB), which will help develop programs and services for young people across the State. The Mission Australia Youth Advisory Board will advise Mission Australia in Tasmania about the needs of young people as well as make recommendations about potential projects and programs. If you would like to get involved in this new project, please contact the Community Services Manager Lucy O'Flaherty at Mission Australia on (03) 62343240 or 0427 000 043. (Source: Mission Australia media release 23 March 2006, 'Mission Australia launches Tasmanian Youth Advisory Board', viewed 27 March 2006 at: http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/cm/p.aspx?n=QXRCS-ZLJZU-GIKEK-YMLMK-GCRXT&MID=XXQJK-VNGUU-TTNAN-QKUUJ-XBCVJ or see: http://tinyurl.com/np3va )
Updating Victoria's youth policy: Report from youth consultation with culturally and linguistically diverse young people
On 23 February 2006, the Victorian Office for Youth and the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (CMYI) co-hosted a consultation forum with young people from CALD backgrounds. The forum attracted over 50 young people from a wide variety of backgrounds. A paper on the main themes emerging from the consultation is at: http://www.cmyi.net.au/ResearchandPolicy#PolicySubmissions And speaking of the CMYI, 'A Three-way partnership? Exploring the experiences of CLD families in schools' is a CMYI Issues Paper which accompanies a resource kit for teachers called 'Opening the school gate'. It explores themes and issues around CALD families' expectations and involvement in schools. See: http://www.cmyi.net.au/ResearchandPolicy#Research The CMYI is at Level 1/308 Drummond Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053. Ph: (03) 9340 3709; fax: (03) 9349 3766; website: http://www.cmyi.net.au
Western Australia's major youth conference coming up
The Youth Affairs Council of WA 2006 Conference is taking place on 2-3 November 2006 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Perth on the topic of resilience: 'suggesting/exploring adaptability, bounce, elasticity, flexibility, hardiness, spring, strength, suppleness, toughness, unshockability' and asks the question, 'Does this describe our young people? The youth sector? People who work with young people? Young people's community? Should it?' The closing date for the submission of abstracts is Tuesday 18 April 2006 Contact the conference secretariat via email at: info3[AT]eventedge.com.au or via fax: (08) 9387 1499.
UNITED NATIONS
UN Commission for Social Development passes resolution on youth employment
The UN Commission on Social Development met on 8-17 February to review the progress made during the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006). During the meeting, the Commission agreed on a resolution to promote youth employment. The resolution urged governments to give renewed attention to their commitment concerning decent and productive work for young people. It also encouraged governments to support the integration of young people into the labour market. See: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/library.htm#resolutions . More information on the Commission for Social Development can be found at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/csd
Regional youth issues in Asia, preparing for the World Youth Report 2007
In late March, the UN Programme on Youth and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific brought together experts and representatives of universities, UN member states, United Nations agencies and programs, and intergovernmental organisations in Bangkok, Thailand. The participants discussed major youth development challenges in Asia, such as education, urbanisation, globalisation, and information and communications technology, in preparation for the World Youth Report 2007. See: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/regm_asia.htm
What young people around the world are saying about livelihoods
Every second month, UNICEF's interactive website for young people, Voices of Youth (VOY), distributes a newsletter to draw attention to the opinions of young people on a priority developmental issue as expressed on VOY's discussion boards. The current newsletter issue is dedicated to livelihoods. It outlines the 'profound social, physical, and mental health benefits livelihoods can offer children and adolescents, including how livelihoods may help adolescents realize their inherent capacities -- capacities to be economically successful, active and valuable members of society, independent and freethinking individuals, as well as role models for future adolescents'. See: http://www.unicef.org/voy/news/ Read more UN news in the April 2006 edition of 'UN Youth Flash' at: http://www.un.org/youth
WELFARE
Poverty and financial hardship
The first results of research that aims to measure poverty in a new way were released in March by a consortium of leading social researchers and welfare agency practitioners at the University of New South Wales' Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), the Australian Council of Social Service, Mission Australia, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Anglicare Sydney. The research highlights the problems facing low-income Australians who have missed out on the benefits of Australia's growing economic prosperity, and seeks to measure social exclusion and material deprivation as indicators of disadvantage. The study, funded by the Australian Research Council, used focus groups with users of welfare services to find out first-hand about their living conditions and expectations. The groups included people receiving emergency relief, in crisis accommodation and public housing, long-term unemployed and unemployed young people, Indigenous school students and recent migrants/refugees. Lack of money was identified as a constant problem by participants in the study. Other problems encountered by participants: having to wait for so long to see a dentist that their job prospects were affected by the poor state of their teeth, declining mental health, and a lack of support services in the community and experiencing a loss of self-confidence and dignity due to treatment by government agencies. The second stage of the research will assess public opinion nationally about the essentials of life in Australia today, as well as the things people need to participate effectively in society. The report can be downloaded at: http://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/reports/FinalReportMarch06.pdf (Source: Brotherhood of St Laurence media release 6 March 2006, 'Measuring poverty in an era of prosperity' viewed 6 April 2006 at: http://www.bsl.org.au/main.asp?PageId=3774 )
YOUTH AFFAIRS
Australian youth sector conference coming up in 2007
The State and Territory youth peak organisations around Australia are in the early stages of preparing for a national youth conference in Melbourne in February 2007, to be hosted by the Victorian peak, the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic). This will be the first conference of its kind in nine years. The conference aims to promote best practice in the youth sector, to provide an opportunity to network and share ideas, to discuss new research, to formulate and promote new policy directions and to ensure the participation of young people from across Australia. Although YACVic will be the lead agency in organising the conference, each peak body will be involved in decision-making processes, such as the selection of keynote speakers and papers. Ideas about keynote speakers, topic streams and funding opportunities are welcomed. Contact YACVic for details, email: info[AT]yacvic.org.au
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
How to get the 'Outcomes for participants in youth development programs' report
In the previous issue of this newsletter, the report, 'Outcomes for participants in youth development programs: A report on a three year longitudinal study' was mentioned. Note that to obtain a hard copy of this report, contact the Youth Bureau in Canberra, email bob.griffiths[AT]facs.gov.au or phone him at: (02) 6212 9419. [Text modified 11 November 2006].
(National Leadership Camp
The National Leadership Camp, which takes place annually in NSW, is a four-day intensive leadership development course that brings together up to 200 students (Years 9 to 12) from across Australia. It receives no government funding and is maintained through the support of businesses and individuals who want to invest in Australia's youth. Venue: Collaroy Conference Centre, Collaroy Beach, Sydney. Registrations close on 7 June. The camp is organised by Rising Generations, a not-for-profit organisation committed to developing Australia's young people to be leaders who make a difference. See: http://www.risinggenerations.org.au
YOUTH SERVICE, VOLUNTEERING
Youth and civic service: Global conference
'Youth and civic service: Creating a global framework for developing national youth service' is the title of the 8th International Association for National Youth Service (IANYS) world conference, scheduled for 23-27 June in Montréal, Québec. It is being hosted by Katimavik, Canada's leading national youth volunteer-service program. For further information, contact Katimavik, website: http://www.katimavik.org
YOUTH WORK
'Strong Bonds': family-aware youth work training
Strong Bonds Training, a program of Jesuit Social Services, is a dynamic, interactive training day designed to stimulate thinking and invite questioning about involving families in work with young people, while maintaining the young person as the primary client. The program, funded through the William Buckland Foundation and the Department of Health and Ageing, aims to increase the emphasis on families (in the broadest sense of the word) in youth work as a support and resource for young people, particularly for those with complex needs. For more information, contact Anthony Gartner or Elly Robinson at JSS, ph: (03) 9415 8700, email: agartner[AT]jss.org.au
YOUTH WORK TRAINING
The Youth Research Centre web site at: http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/eesc/yrc/pgrad/ lists several tertiary courses of interest to the sector, for example:
* The Master of Youth Health and Education Management offers professional development to leaders and managers from across the youth sector.
* The Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and Welfare, delivered flexibly by the Centre for Adolescent Health, University of Melbourne celebrated its 10th year in 2005. With current evidence showing that a number of health problems affect youth disproportionately (mental illness and suicide, substance abuse, eating disorders and risk taking behaviours), the course gives professionals a way to think differently about how best to respond to youth health concerns in the community, enabling practitioners to work effectively across sectors and disciplines.
'The Centre for Adolescent Health, affiliated with the University of Melbourne and Department of Paediatrics at the Royal Childrens Hospital, provides students with a repertoire of skills for implementing effective programs and practices in the settings where young people live, work and play and in health care settings where young people are likely to be seen.' For enrolment details, contact Merran Guest, ph: (03) 9345 6671 or email merran.guest[AT]rch.org.au, or see: http://www.rch.org.au/cah/education/ These and other courses are listed on the ACYS web site at: http://www.acys.utas.edu.au/education/ and input from the sector as to courses we should list there is welcomed. Contact webmaster@acys.utas.edu.au
Your news?
Deadline for contributions for the May edition: May 9 (for publication/release on 16 May 2006).