No. 123, November 2006: Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies

By Joan Abbott-Chapman
This paper draws together key findings from recent research in Tasmania on young people's favourite places and their reasons for these choices, which relate to 'place attachment' and identity formation. The paper provides insights into the widespread significance for the teenagers surveyed of taking 'time out' in favourite places. The findings are suggestive rather than conclusive and raise questions about the association between taking time out, favourite place and wellbeing that demand further investigation.

Students at risk: Can connections make a difference?

Nahid Kabir and Tony Rickards
The ARC-funded Smart Communities research project in Western Australia was designed to investigate and provide directions 'for improvement in the life choices available to children and young people at risk in remote, rural and urban areas of Western Australia'. Part of the project involved examining the life stories of 21 at-risk students, including recent African refugees, immigrants, Aborigines and 'established' Australians. This paper considers students' hopes and aspirations, family and community connections, the contribution of cultural influences towards their welfare and the degree of optimism felt by the youngsters.

Kura, yeye, boorda, Nyungar wangkiny gnulla koorlangka: A conversation about working with Indigenous young people in the past, present and future

Len Collard and David Palmer
There are enormous difficulties associated with communication between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, but dialogue is considered important for reconciliation, co-existence and a mediated future for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. To demonstrate the importance of conversational exchange, this paper is presented in the form of dialogue with the theme of the possibility of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together to support the interests of Indigenous young people.

The perspectives of youth workers in rural Victoria

Paula Geldens and Lisa Bourke
Youth work is a diverse and challenging career that is continually debated and redefined. However, most discussions of youth work have not accounted for differences in geographic location. This paper explores the perspectives of 107 youth workers across rural Victoria in relation to their job satisfaction and support, types of practice, goals and philosophies and the challenges of being a rural practitioner.

Rural adolescents' perceptions on help for mental health problems

Kristy Francis, Candice Boyd, Damon Aisbett, Karyn Newnham and Krystal Newnham
Little research has been undertaken into the barriers facing rural adolescents seeking help and support for mental health problems. This study presented students from rural secondary schools in Victoria with hypothetical scenarios of an adolescent living in a rural area with a mental disorder and posed questions in order to create group discussion. The results revealed a range of perceived barriers to help-seeking that could be considered unique to rural settings. However, adolescents also expressed positive attitudes and identified a range of professional help sources available to them. The findings support recent moves towards providing school-based mental health services to young people in rural areas.

The fixed age rule: Young people, consent and research ethics

Judith Bessant
Australia is in the process of producing new national guidelines for ethical conduct in research involving humans; however the draft guidelines do little to remove the restrictions on young people participating in research without parental consent. Judith Bessant argues that young people are being denied their right to participate in research, and researchers are missing out on opportunities to conduct important research on young people, because of outdated conventions concerning the capability of young people to make decisions regarding their participation in research.

ACYS press clippings ...

We do not keep press clippings, but for nearly two decades, we have summarised recent press articles in our journal, Youth Studies Australia. Its Youth Monitor column is a six-page regular feature in each issue of this quarterly, peer reviewed journal. If you are a subscriber to the hard copy edition of the journal, you can read the current Youth Monitor column online without waiting for databased version to come out at the end of the year. For more about the journal, see: http://www.acys.info/journal/

ABUSE

Breaking the silence, creating the future: Addressing child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities in NSW

This report of the Aboriginal Child Sexual Assault Taskforce (NSW Attorney General's Department of NSW, Sydney, 2006) is now on the http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au website as a PDF at: http://tinyurl.com/vvp2f
Through a literature review, written submissions, and consultations with Aboriginal communities and relevant agencies, the taskforce found that child sexual assault was widespread but not well understood in Indigenous communities, that it often went undetected and was seldom reported. The report makes over 100 recommendations, e.g. for the establishment of an Aboriginal Child Sexual Assault Coordination Unit, the development of a state-wide education strategy, research into the relationship between family violence and child sexual assault, and for improved common data collection. (Source: 'JARA: Justice Access Research Alert', n.15, October 2006, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/publications/newsletters/jara )

BULLYING

New DVD to help address school bullying

'The method of shared concern' is a staff training resource for dealing with bullying in schools, in DVD format, in which Dr Ken Rigby interprets and describes in detail the Swedish psychologist Dr Anatol Pikas' method of shared concern. The DVD and accompanying user's guide present a step-by-step group training session for staff, built around two case studies enacted by practitioners who have been trained by Dr Pikas. The resource was produced and distributed by Readymade Productions, in association with the Government's Department of Education, Science and Training and the Department of Health and Ageing. Find out more at: http://www.readymade.com.au/method/index.htm

Mean girls

A feature article in the spring 2006 edition of 'TeenMatters', a parenting magazine for the parents of teenagers, highlights the subtle yet powerful bullying tactics of girls. It includes comments on the subject from authors Rachel Simmons and Michael Carr-Gregg, both of whom have written books on the behaviour of pre-teen and teenage girls, and includes the personal reflections of a female lawyer who was a victim of bullying at school. It also includes tips on how parents can protect their daughters from bullying and signs that parents can watch out for that might indicate that their daughter is a bully. (Source: 'TeenMatters', spring 2006, pp.44-48.)

CRIME AND JUSTICE

Spotlight on safety: Community attitudes to child protection, foster care and parenting

This report by Urbis Keys Young for the NSW Department of Community Services explores community attitudes, knowledge and behaviours relating to child protection, foster care and parenting. Based on a telephone survey of 1,500 adults across NSW, the research found that, while there is a basic community awareness of the importance of child protection and a general willingness to be involved at some level, there appears to be a large gap between awareness and taking action. The report also finds there are many barriers that might deter people from reporting child abuse to authorities. The report's available at: http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/documents/social_research/social_research.pdf or get there via: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ynyszy (Source: 'JARA: Justice Access Research Alert', n.15, October 2006, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/publications/newsletters/jara)

Report on the Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre, WA

The Western Australian Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) has recently released a report into its inspection of the Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre conducted in March 2005. Banksia Hill, the only detention centre in WA designed to hold sentenced juveniles aged 10 to 18 years, and able to hold up to 120 young people, has an Indigenous population of approximately 80 per cent. The centre was found to be 'certainly one of the best-performing institutions within the remit of the Department of Corrective Services', and all of the inspection team's 22 recommendations were either partially or wholly accepted by the WA Department of Corrective Services. See:
http://www.custodialinspector.wa.gov.au (Source: Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services WA, 2006, 'Report n.37: Report of an announced inspection of Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre', OICS, Perth, WA.)

DISABILITIES

Accessible voting trial in 2007

The Australian Government has agreed to trial an electronic voting process for blind and vision impaired Australians to use at the federal election due next year. Blind Citizens Australia executive officer Nadia Mattiazzo said that BCA is pleased that the Government has responded to their advocacy and '...taken the first step in giving voters who are blind or vision impaired their democratic right to cast an independent, secret and verifiable vote'. Electronic voting is also to be trialled in the Victorian election on 25 November. (Source: 'link magazine', v.15, n.4, 2006, p.21.)

DRUGS

Australia's first podcast about safe partying for young people

Somazone, a service of the Australian Drug Foundation, is undertaking a new initiative using podcasts to educate young people about the effects of drinking and drug use as well as providing safe sex advice, according to the Barwon Adolescent Taskforce News website (http://www.batforce.org.au/group/noticeboard/, cited 23 October 2006.)

Survey on driving and drugs (legal or otherwise)

Whether or not you use drugs, you might be interested in the major online Australian study on drugs and driving that is being conducted by the Australian Drug Foundation and Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre. The short survey is completely confidential and anonymous. See: http://www.drugdriving.org.au The survey is part of research which will examine driving attitudes and behaviour in relation to a range of illicit drugs as well as legal substances. (Source: Australian Drug Foundation, email, 13 November 2006.)

DRUG database

Among services offered by the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) is DRUG, the online database of the ADCA National Resource Centre. It contains over 60,000 references to books, videos, journal articles, conference papers, research reports and unpublished materials on the health, social and economic aspects of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. DRUG is updated monthly with more than 300 additional references and all indexed material is held in the National Resource Centre. See: http://www.adca.org.au/resource/index.htm (Source: email, 6 November 2006.)
'Of substance' magazine's special youth issue
The October issue of 'Of substance' magazine was devoted to youth-related alcohol, tobacco and other drugs issues. Features included: 'School drug education: Looking for direction', 'An un-American perspective on drug education for young people' and 'From school to work: a vulnerable time'. The magazine is available for download from the website listed below. For further details or to obtain free hard copies of the magazine, contact 'Of substance', ph: (02) 9280 3240; fax: (02) 9281 7297; website:
http://www.ofsubstance.org.au (Source: email, 8 November 2006.)

EDUCATION

Gifted

The current edition of 'Education Review' (v.16, n.7, 2006) has two stories concerning gifted and talented students, a subject not often raised in this newsletter. The magazine briefly covers an anti-discrimination case brought against the Queensland Education Department by the family of a gifted 12-year-old student (p.4). It also notes the federal Government's announcements of the allocation of $200,000 towards professional development for teachers who work with gifted and talented students, and an investigation into the creation of a National Centre of Excellence in Gifted Education to coordinate approaches to and research about gifted education in Australia. The announcements were made at the 11th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented in September 2006. ('Education Review' is online at: http://www.educationreview.com.au/ )

Volunteering initiative for ACT students

ACT Minister for Education and Training Andrew Barr has launched a new initiative to encourage students in the ACT to become involved in volunteering with community organisations. The initiative, known as SHINE (Students Helping in New Environments), was developed by Volunteering ACT. Mr Barr hopes that SHINE will help to develop a culture of volunteering among students in the state. (Source: 'Education Review', v.16, n.7, 2006, p.4.)

Indicators of social exclusion for Australia's children: an analysis by state and age group

The purpose of this paper, by Anne Daly, Justine McNamara, Robert Tanton, Ann Harding and Mandy Yap, is to present some results for the spatial distribution of children at risk of social exclusion in Australia. 'The results show that the addition of extra elements in defining social exclusion add to our knowledge of those areas where children are more likely to be at risk of social disadvantage compared to a reliance on an income measure of disadvantage alone. This has important policy implications for the delivery of services to children.' See: http://url.edna.edu.au/8aaH (Source: NATSEM, University of Canberra, October 2006, cited by 'The Communicator', newsletter from EdNA, n.33, 12 October 2006; ISSN 1449 - 051X; http://www.natsem.canberra.edu.au/publication.jsp?titleID=CP0607 or http://preview.tinyurl.com/y82lpf)

Connect's 'Reaching high'

'Connect, the magazine of student participation' will be well-known to readers of this newsletter as a key resource on student participation issues. 'Connect' recently published 'Student Action Teams', mentioned in an earlier edition of this newsletter. A new 'Connect' book, 'Reaching high: A program promoting positive approaches to learning differences', by Lyn Loger, Stuart Robins, Damien Tinker and Andrew Skinner, tells the story of 14 years work on an innovative approach to literacy in north central Victoria. Student participatory approaches are central to the program, which caters for students with learning differences. The camp culminates in an annual student-run camp, where adult role models who either have, or have had, learning differences, act as mentors to the students. Past student participants act as leaders, adult role models and assistants. The 120-page book documents the development and operation of the Reaching High Program and is written by the program's founder, Lyn Loger, along with young people who began as program participants and who are now young adult role models in the community. Their book outlines both the theory and community links behind the program as well as how the program's built on the active and strength-based participation of students. 'Reaching high' is due to be released by 'Connect' in December 2006, but pre-publication copies can be ordered now at $30 (or $25 for 'Connect' magazine subscribers) from 'Connect', 12 Brooke Street, Northcote 3070 Victoria. Alternatively, contact Connect's editor, Roger Holdsworth, email: r.holdsworth@unimelb.edu.au and ask for a PDF of the order form. (Note: 'Connect' advises that its prices will rise in 2007, 'so order subscriptions and publications now while prices remain low'. For 'Connect' titles, see: http://www.geocities.com/rogermhold/Connect.)

EMPLOYMENT

New Centre for Work Experience launched in WA

A new virtual Centre for Work Experience (CWE) has been developed in Western Australia through Edith Cowan University. Launched in June, the CWE project was funded by the WA Department of Education and Training. According to its website, the goal of the CWE project is 'to develop a specialist and centralised source of on-line information and resources pertaining to work experience. It aims to assist those who seek work experience as well as to support employers, educational institutions, career practitioners and others who offer assistance to those seeking work placements'. For further information on the CWE, contact Lucretia Radhakrishnan, Project Officer, Youth Career Development Services, WA Department of Education and Training, ph: (08) 9264 5732; email: Lucretia.radhakrishnan[AT]det.wa.edu.au; website:
http://www.cwe.org.au (Source: 'The Graduate Grapevine', n.5, 2006, p.9; CWE website, viewed 6 November 2006.)

On the job learning

In a first for an Australian university, Victoria University in 2008 will require that every new undergraduate student spend a quarter of their course undertaking a work placement that's related to their study. The initiative is part of VU's plan to set the university apart from its competitors and provide graduates in areas of skill shortage. (Source: 'The Age', 11 October 2006, cited by 'The Communicator', a newsletter from EdNA, n.33, 12 October 2006; ISSN 1449 - 051X;
http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/news/newsletters/communicator)

TAFE's 10-point reform agenda

Australia's TAFE directors have released a far-reaching reform plan on the future of vocational education to showcase new ways to ease skill shortages. Their10-point reform agenda provides practical solutions, such as new governance and funding models for TAFE institutes and a training system model reflecting innovative European structures for skill institutes. (Source: 'The Communicator', a newsletter from EdNA, n.33, 12 October 2006; ISSN 1449 - 051X; download the PDF from the EdNA website at: http://url.edna.edu.au/mR5s)

2007 Careers Fair dates

Graduate Careers Australia has announced the dates for the 2007 Careers Fair season across Australia and New Zealand. For further information, visit the GCA website: http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/content/view/full/2542 (Source: 'The Graduate Grapevine', n.5, 2006, p.8.)

Young people negotiating their rights at work

The state government in NSW is drafting laws to protect young people aged under 18 from unfair dismissal, and many of the NSW government's resources to help youth at work are outlined on the NSW's youth peak body, the Youth Action and Policy Association website at: (http://www.yapa.org.au/yapa/policy/negotiate.php) The October edition of 'YAPRap', YAPA's newsletter, contains a transcript of a speech made by Armina Soemino, a youth member of YAPA, about the ability of young workers to negotiate agreements under the new WorkChoices legislation and the importance of young people having access to information about their rights as employees. There are audio and video presentations of workplace rights information at: http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/about/lookandlisten and information on the rights and responsibilities of young workers in NSW at: http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/rights/young To find out more about YAPA's work to protect young workers' rights, see: http://www.yapa.org.au/yapa/policy/negotiate.php (Source: 'YAPRap', newsletter of the Youth Action and Policy Association NSW Inc, v.16, n.10, 2006, p.5.)
In Victoria, a guide called 'Work choices: What parents and young people should know,' has been prepared by Victoria's Office of the Workplace Rights Advocate. It explains to young people how changes in industrial relations laws affect them and is available though that state's Workplace Rights information line on 1300 882 648.

Global employment trends for youth 2006

The International Labour Office (ILO) has published a major new study on youth employment trends. The report updates the 2004 world and regional youth labour market indicators and provides the most comprehensive analysis yet of empirical research and quantitative assessments of trends in labour markets among those aged 15 to 24. In addition to a global overview, the report also provides regional youth employment trends. See: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/strat/global.htm (Source: 'UN youth flash', v. 3, n.6, October 2006;: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/flash.htm )

ETHNIC YOUTH

Multicultural Youth Issues Network

The October 2006 edition of 'YAPRap' contains a feature on the Multicultural Youth Issues Network of NSW (MYINN). MYINN was established by YAPA in 1993 to highlight and address the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) young people in the state. Membership of the group is open to service providers with interests in the needs of the CALD youth community, as well as to CALD young people themselves. The group meets every second month, but also operates an e-group for the dissemination of information between members. For more information on MYINN, email: nicole_scobie[AT]yahoo.com.au; ph: (02) 9725 0898. (Source: 'YAPRap', v.16, n.10, 2006, p.7.)

FAMILIES

The Centre for Vulnerable Children and Families

This is new research centre at the University of Western Australia. IT is one of the organisers of the inaugural conference, 'Children and young people are key stakeholders (http://www.caypaks.com), to be held in Perth in 2007 and aiming to 'contribute significantly to our understanding of children, young people and their families in the community, and factors which impact on their wellbeing as stakeholders in policy, programs and service delivery'.

HEALTH

UNESCO: Girls' education and HIV prevention

Members of the UNAIDS IATT on Education and other leaders in the education, gender and HIV&AIDS communities have produced a CD-ROM demonstrating the importance of girls' education as a strategy for reducing the vulnerability of girls to HIV infection. It contains more than 100 current resources, including policy documents, case studies, reports, tools, curricula and other materials from a range of settings and in several languages. These examples of progress to-date suggest ways for the education sector to better meet the needs of girls and advocate for girls' education as part of national responses to HIV and AIDS. Contact: info-iatt [AT] unesco.org (Source: 'UN youth flash', v. 3, n.6, October 2006;: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/flash.htm )

Reminder:

1 December is World AIDS Day.

The misdiagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The spring 2006 edition of 'TeenMatters' contains an extract from 'ADHD: Who's failing who?', a new book by University of South Australia lecturer and research fellow Dr Brenton Prosser about the misdiagnosis of ADHD among children and young people. As part of his research for the book, Dr Prosser interviewed secondary school students diagnosed with ADHD about their experiences at school. While Dr Prosser says that comparisons of ADHD statistics among children in Western countries are not indicative of over-diagnosis of ADHD among Australian children, the lack of an objective test for ADHD means that medical practitioners' confusion about symptoms, 'sloppy' diagnostic practices and eagerness to achieve a particular diagnosis can lead to the misdiagnosis of ADHD. Misdiagnoses of ADHD are problematic, Prosser says, because they leave the true cause of children's problems undiagnosed, while feeding public scepticism and confusion about the disorder. The extract also lists the key inattention and hyperactivity symptoms used by the Australian Psychologists Society to diagnose ADHD. (Source: 'TeenMatters', spring 2006, pp.60-61.)

Perceptions of depression, ADHD and stigma among youth aged eight to 18

About one in 10 American children and youth experience a behavioural, emotional or mental health disorder that could be identified and treated. However, the stigma associated with mental illness can often dissuade young people and their families from seeking help. To address this, staff at the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health at Portland State University collaborated with a group of young adult advisors and the research firm, Harris Interactive, to produce two surveys focusing on perceptions of mental health difficulties and on the stigma associated with these difficulties among children and youth aged eight to 18. A nationally representative sample of more than 1,300 US children and teenagers responded to one survey conducted online by Harris Interactive in June 2006. Another survey conducted by Harris Interactive in August gathered similar information from more than 3,600 adults. See: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1095
(Source: RTC Updates, October 2006, and the Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd, http://www.aicafmha.net.au/ )

Active youth, 'Active Media'

'Active Media' is a useful, information-rich source of news about health issues relating to school students and youth in general, which is issued via email by the 'Go for your life' Physical Activity Information Centre and funded through the Victorian Government's Community Support Fund. To subscribe, send an email to: physicalactivity.info [AT] kinectaustralia.org.au with 'subscribe' in the subject line.

INDIGENOUS YOUTH

Indigenous youth representation

John Cobb, Minister for Community Affairs, has announced that Indigenous youth representation is to be mainstreamed into the general youth representative body, the National Youth Round Table.

National conference

SNAICC is holding a national conference from 19 to 21 September 2007 at the Adelaide Convention Centre for service providers, policymakers, researchers and others focused on the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The conference will provide local, national and international perspectives on best practice in responding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities' diversity and competing needs, and aims to get Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, policymakers, researchers, government representatives, other non-government organisations and various industry representatives together to make renewed commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. See: http://www.snaicc.asn.au/news/NationalConference2007.html

Attention on Indigenous youth issues in Australia

The September edition of 'Australian Children's Rights News', the newsletter of the Australian Section of Defence for Children International (DCI) is the first issued by the DCI since the death of Danny Sandor, DCI's tireless past president and editor of 'Australian Children's Rights News' up to the previous edition. This edition contains a timely, often hard-hitting, set of articles on the multitudinous problems faced by Indigenous children and young people in Australia, and draws attention to the many reports and inquiries on the issues that face Indigenous Australians across all aspects of their lives, from housing, health education to juvenile justice issues and the excessive levels of engagement with the criminal justice system and low levels of economic participation. Among the short articles on education and justice, of particular interest is the article on health problems among Indigenous children by Simon Quilty, and an article on housing disadvantages and associated environmental health issues faced by Indigenous children by Jonathan Pilbrow, a policy officer with NT Shelter/NTCOSS. (Source: 'Australian Children's Rights News', n.41, 2006, pp.1, 4-11; http://www.dci-au.org)

Suicide linked to child abuse in the Kimberley

High rates of suicide among the Kimberley's Indigenous youth have been linked to child abuse in a recent paper by three mental health workers from the Kimberley region. Its authors suggest that the cause of the high incidence of suicide is not so much the result of depression but rather exposure to trauma, and child sexual abuse in particular, the 'core social and emotional wellbeing issue impacting on Indigenous communities'. The paper, presented at the Healing our Spirit Worldwide conference in Canada in September, is described in an article in 'The Age' on 21 September 2006, at: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/indigenous-suicide-tied-to-sex-abuse/2006/09/20/1158431783252.html or: http://tinyurl.com/s4ay4

VIYAC voices telling it like it is: Young Aboriginal Victorians on culture, identity and racism

This report was prepared by the Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (VIYAC) and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria. It includes interviews with nine young Indigenous Victorians who offered their personal perspectives on culture, identity and racism -- issues chosen for their impact on the lives of Indigenous Australians -- and provides a summary of research and statistical data on young Indigenous Victorians. The authors note in their conclusion that a 'serious investment' is needed to improve outcomes for young Indigenous Victorians. The report's recommendations are based on themes drawn from the report: identity, cultural expression and learning, racism and cultural awareness, support for families, and research with Indigenous young people. For copies, contact VIYAC, ph: (03) 9267 3788; email: viyac[AT]viyac.org.au; or download the report from: http://www.yacvic.org.au (Source: Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council and Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, 2006.)

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

World Youth Report 2007

WYR07 will examine the challenges and opportunities existing for the world's approx. 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24. Unlike the 2003 and 2005 editions, it will provide a regional overview of the major youth development issues in the 15 priority areas of the World Programme of Action for Youth, especially employment, education, health, poverty and violence. It is also expected to highlight youth as a positive force for development, and to provide recommendations for supporting their essential contributions to national and global development. WYR07 is expected to be launched early in 2007. For updates, see: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/wyr07.htm

A call for youth work in Britain to move beyond its traditional role

'Too much negativity has been directed towards young people; and not enough imagination, trust and courage. Optimism is a moral duty that needs to be at the heart of work with young people.' So writes Gerard Lemos, coauthor of 'Different world: How young people can work together on human rights, citizenship, equality and creating a better society', published in the UK by Lemos & Crane. The authors went in search of answers to the questions, 'how can young people work together to make the world a better place?' and 'what help and support might they need in that endeavour?', studying government policy and the practice of 40 youth organisations in the UK. They call for youth work in Britain to move beyond its traditional role of 'personal development' and its government-imposed concern with diverting young people away from antisocial activities, and to concern itself rather with 'building awareness of risk, encouraging tolerance, supporting participation and developing leaders'. The three recommendations suggested in this report are:
* placing citizenship and social change at the heart of youth work services and practice, enshrined in a new purpose for youth work;
* commissioning effective projects and activities to deliver that new purpose;
* ensuring that, through recruitment and training, youth workers have the skills, both in developing and managing the activities and the interpersonal and communication skills, to help young people to create a better and different world.
A copy of the summary report in pdf format can be downloaded from: http://www.cityparochial.org.uk/publications, and printed copies are available from CPF, 6 Middle Street, London EC1A 7PH, United Kingdom.

Policy's impact

England's children's commissioner is developing a method of screening parliamentary bills to analyse their impact on children and young people. See the UK youth work magazine, 'Young People Now', at:
http://www.ypnmagazine.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=full_news&ID=12088 or get there via: http://preview.tinyurl.com/y97yf7

MENTAL HEALTH

$700,000 for rolling out the 'Youth Mental Health First Aid' course nationally

The Australian Government has awarded $700,000 through the National Suicide Prevention Strategy to the Mental Health First Aid team to develop and roll out a youth-specific Mental Health First Aid course nationally. The course will enable people like teachers and parents to provide initial help to a young person with an emerging mental health problem, or who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. The Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is expected to be developed by early next year. For further information on the Mental Health First Aid Program, see: http://www.mhfa.com.au/ or contact Michelle Marven at ORYGEN Research Centre, ph: 0401 825 772.

Services for 'ultra high risk' young people

Youth who are at risk of psychosis and living in NSW are fortunate to have the Brain and Mind Research Institute at hand. It offers specialist clinical services to young people judged to be at 'ultra high risk' of experiencing a psychotic episode or developing a psychotic disorder. This early intervention initiative is aimed at young people aged 14 to 30 who experience risk factors for psychosis, such as a range of specific or non-specific symptoms of mental illness, those who have a family history of mental illness, or who have experienced a decline in their social, educational or occupational functioning. BMRI contact details: 100 Mallett St, Camperdown NSW 2050; ph: (02) 9351 0672; email: reception[AT]theclinicalcentre.com.au (Source: 'YAPRap', v.16, n.10, 2006, p.9.)

CAMHS can't come soon enough in the UK

In the UK, every region in England is expected to have a comprehensive child and adolescent mental health service, or CAMHS, in place by the end of December 2006, but some may not reach this target. Mental illness is a serious problem among young people in the UK, and the government acknowledges that as many as one in 10 young people, or an average of three pupils in every classroom, experiences some form of diagnosable mental disorder. A UK charity, YoungMinds, has estimated that one in 12 young people deliberately self-harms, 80,000 suffer serious depression and two commit suicide every day. An overwhelming 95 per cent of imprisoned young offenders have a disorder. (Source: the UK youth work magazine, 'Young People Now', at:
http://www.ypnmagazine.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=full_news&ID=12130 or get there via: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ylc8yt )

MENTORING

Investing in mentoring

The UK government is putting UK$666,000 into a two-year youth music program that aims to help young people gain respect, and to raise their aspirations. See:
http://www.ypnmagazine.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=full_news&ID=12273 or get there via: http://preview.tinyurl.com/y5tvv7
In Australia, the Youth Mentoring Network has just completed its main evaluation. The network actively sought suggestions for improvements to its website, new professional development ideas, networking opportunities and forum topics. These have been implemented in its operating plan for the next 12 months. Its forum series, hosted by a different state each month, have already begun (in Brisbane, Launceston and Sydney). See: http://www.youthmentoring.org.au/events_conferences.php#works Contact details: info [AT] youthmentoring.org.au or ph: (02) 9085 7287. Newsletter contributions close on the last Friday of the month and their e-newsletter is published on the first Friday of each month. (Source: Youth Mentoring Network, newsletter, October 2006.)

MOVEMENTS, CHANGES, MILESTONES

... at Defence for Children International

The Australian Section of Defence for Children International has moved to the new Law Building at the University of New South Wales, C/- National Children's and Youth Law Centre, The Law Building, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052; ph: (02) 9385 9588; fax: (02) 9385 9589. (Source: 'Australian Children's Rights News', n.41, 2006, p.3.)

PARENTING

Understanding 'Girlforce'

A survey of 14,000 Australian girls aged 11 to 17 years identifies school as the most stressful thing in girls' lives. A majority of girls (44 per cent) said that school stressed them out the most, with 17 per cent naming boys as their highest source of stress. Results of the survey are published on a new website called 'Get to know your daughter', which has been designed to help parents better understand their teenage daughters. The website is the creation of Nikki Goldstein, creator of the 'GirlForce' series of lifestyle books for teenage girls. The survey also found that 51 per cent of girls rated their friends as the most important thing in their lives, ahead of school (43 per cent), family (4 per cent) and boys (2 per cent). The website can be found at: http://www.gettoknowyourdaughter.com.au (Source: 'Sunday Times', 22/10/06, p.21.)
An extract from Goldstein's latest book, 'GirlForce shine: A girl's guide to confidence and beauty', is contained in the spring 2006 edition of 'TeenMatters' magazine. The extract gives parents of teenagers advice on how to help teenagers develop strategies to deal with stress and depression, including positive affirmations, meditation and exercise. (Source: 'TeenMatters', spring 2006, pp.58-59.)

PARTICIPATION

Youth, the family and learning about politics and voting

The Youth Electoral Study has released its third report, 'Youth, the family and learning about politics and voting' (available at: http://aec.gov.au/_content/what/publications/youth_study_3/index.htm, or get there via: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ync7r2 ).
'Youth participation in the electoral process is of great concern in many Western democracies today. For some years we have known that young people are less likely to enrol to vote than older groups.' This national study is attempting to uncover the reasons why so many young people today are not enrolled and also look at what motivates Australia's young people to participate in different ways as 'active citizens'.
The four-year research project is a major national study by a team of researchers from the University of Sydney and the Australian National University, working in conjunction with the Australian Electoral Commission: Dr Kathy Edwards (University of Sydney), Dr Larry Saha (Australian National University) and Dr Murray Print (University of Sydney). The report discusses how young people in Australia learn about politics and voting within the family environment. Issues covered include the importance of the family as a site of learning about politics and voting; family access to resources that help parents discuss voting and politics with young people; the issue of gender when it comes to teaching and learning about politics in families; and the status of young people as active learners about politics and voting.
In their conclusion, the authors note that '... most young people are "active" learners about politics, if not active participants, and ... they turn to a number of sources for their political information'. Among the many interesting conclusions in this report is 'the "activism" of many in terms of wanting to establish their own political views was in stark contrast to the passivity played in terms of enrolling to vote'. This research is funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), through its ARC Linkage Grants program, and supported by the Australian Electoral Commission. The project is being administered through the University of Sydney. (Also see earlier reports in this series, e.g. 'Youth electoral study (YES) - Report 2: Youth, political engagement and voting', at: http://aec.gov.au/_content/what/publications/youth_study_2/index.htm, or get there via: http://tinyurl.com/yyrxkn

REFUGEES

'The other side'

The Streetwize Communications comic, 'The other side', has been reprinted with funding from Comic Relief Australia and Volunteering Australia. First published in November 2003, this popular resource looks at issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers. For copies (it's free) contact Streetwize: email: stwize [AT] streetwize.com.au and write, The Other Side in the subject line and your postal address in the body of your message.

Settling in Australia

'Refugee young people and resettlement' is a new information sheet from the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues in Victoria and provides workers with an overview of some of the common issues that refugee young people face when settling in Australia. See:
http://www.cmyi.net.au/CMYIeNews#cmyinewresources (CMYI Infosheet n.14, cited in 'CMYI e-News', October 2006).

RIGHTS

News from the NSW Commission for Children and Young People

The Commission for Children and Young People's Child Death Review Team has published its 2005 annual report online in PDF format at: http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/publications/cdrt2005.html From January to December 2005, there were a total of 599 deaths of children and young people aged 0 to 17 years registered in NSW. Diseases of the respiratory system were among the most common causes of death for all age groups from 1 to 17 years, while diseases of the circulatory system were among the leading causes of death in children aged one to 14 years. House fires and drowning featured prominently as external causes of death. The commission also published its annual report to children and young people available as two editions, for primary- and secondary-aged youth. See:
http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/publications/feedback2006.html

SURVEYS

Mission Australia's National Survey of Young Australians 2006

Mission Australia's fifth national survey of young Australians aged 11-24 years was distributed extensively to all secondary schools, other educational institutions and libraries, youth organisations and services. Over 14,700 young Australians participated in the survey, including a significant number from regional and rural areas, and close to 800 Indigenous young people also participated. The findings provide a wealth of important information about the lives of young Australians (what they value, the issues that concern them, where they turn to for advice and support, and their community involvement). Besides national level and state/territory comparisons, there's also a section comparing responses from Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people. Responses are broken down by age and gender and, where possible, comparisons are made with data from earlier surveys. Free copies of the report can be downloaded from: http://www.missionaustralia.com.au

UNITED NATIONS NEWS

Youth Delegates' contributions to the 61st Session of the UN General Assembly, 3rd Committee, are at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/youthdelegates06.htm

A new Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to 'stand up against poverty' was set by the UN Millennium Campaign in partnership with the Global Call to Action Against Poverty during the UN International Day for Poverty Eradication on 17 October when 23,542,614 people in over 80 countries around the world responded to the call to stand up against poverty: see: http://www.standagainstpoverty.org

For more UN news relating to youth, see 'UN youth flash', an easy-to-read email alert service, at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/flash.htm

VIOLENCE

UN guidelines to help combat violence against children

The United Nations health agency has launched a practical guide to help governments and aid agencies prevent violence against children, especially violence perpetrated by parents and caregivers. 'Preventing child maltreatment: A guide to taking action and generating evidence' is aimed at helping to expand the number of studies into the magnitude and consequences of the maltreatment of youth, and to increase investment in large-scale experimental studies of programs to prevent the maltreatment of children aged 0-14 years. Touted as 'the world's first ever international guide on how to prevent child maltreatment', the guide's authors note that reducing inequality, as well as poverty, is likely to make a significant contribution to preventing child maltreatment, given the strong relationships between child maltreatment, economic inequality and poverty. Published jointly with the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), it provides technical advice for professionals working in governments, research institutes and non-governmental organisations on how to measure the extent of child maltreatment and its consequences, and how to design, implement and evaluate prevention programs. See:
http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/publications/violence/child_maltreatment/en/index.html (Source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0610/S00373.htm, cited in the New Zealand email newsletter, 'e update' n.53, 20 October 2006.)

Behind closed doors: The impact of domestic violence on children

This report, compiled by UNICEF in partnership with the Body Shop, examines a number of the underlying causes of domestic violence and its impact on the children of the world. See: http://www.unicef.com.au/documents/BehindClosedDoors.pdf (Source: 'Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter', n.26, 2006, p.8.)

YOUTH RESEARCH

An update on the forthcoming national youth affairs conference

Those presenting papers at the May 2007 'Are we there yet?' youth affairs conference will be pleased to know that papers can be peer reviewed for eventual publication in the conference proceedings, and would then be eligible for recognition by DEST as an academic activity. Abstracts are due by 15 November, and full papers are due by early February.

LSAY news

The current e-newsletter issued by the Growing Up in Australia Longitudinal Study of Australian Children is now online at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/growingup/pubs/newsletter/2006/sept06.html It includes information about the 'Wave 1.5' data release, 'Wave 2' data collection, 'Wave 3' development, including new topics being considered for inclusion, and access to some papers about the study presented at a recent conference. (Alternative URL: http://preview.tinyurl.com/sq8xa )

Master of Youth Health and Education Management (MYHEM) news

Designed for practitioners in the health, education, youth and community service sectors, and coordinated by the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, this course has been highlighted in this newsletter many times, but please note that, as of 2007, the course will have a quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for Australian citizens and permanent residents. The deadline for 'timely applications' is 1 December 2006. MYHEM is for leaders and managers who are eager to help young people at risk through collaborative cross-sectoral practice. Prospective students may either attend an information session (23 November 2006 at 5.15pm at the Alice Hoy Building, University of Melbourne) or visit: http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/futurestudents/courses/postgraduate/Courses/myhem.html
For further information, ph: (03) 8344 8285 or (03) 8344 8661; email: education-events [AT] unimelb.edu.au or see: http://edfac-unimelb.custhelp.com

NEW RESOURCES

Recovery resources for children and young people

RecoverOz (formerly known as Living Solutions Bookshop) has released a new catalogue of recovery and self-help resources for children and young people, as well as those living or working with young people, such as parents, teachers and counsellors. Titles cover an extensive range of issues faced by children and young people, such as drug dependency, anger, bullying and violence, stress, learning issues, grief and loss, moral and life skills development, mental health issues and sexuality. Resources are available in a range of formats, including books, workbooks, posters, videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs and games. For more information or to order a copy of the catalogue, contact RecoverOz, PO Box 108, Somerville, Victoria 3912; ph: (03) 59776366; fax: (03) 5977 6388; email: sales[AT]recoveroz.com.au; or view the catalogue online at the RecoverOz website: http://www.recoveroz.com.au

Children's Geographies

Increasing to four issues per year from 2007, this peer-reviewed journal '...provides an international forum to discuss issues that impact upon the geographical worlds of children and young people under the age of 25 and of their families. The journal aims to be accessible to new researchers, including postgraduate students and academics at an early stage of their research careers, and to practitioners with an interest in children, youth and families. Study of the geographies of this kind, while emphasising the importance of place, space and spatiality, inevitably cuts across inter- and intra-disciplinary boundaries. The journal provides a forum for academics and practitioners with an interest in these multi-faceted geographies, enabling new insights into the diverse and multiple realities of young people's lives'. 'Children's Geographies' is published by Routledge. For more information, or to view an online sample copy, visit: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/14733285.asp (Source: Taylor and Francis Group 2006, 'Children's Geographies' website, viewed 9 November 2006.)

Global youth? Hybrid identities, plural worlds, edited by Pam Nilan and Carles Feixa. Routledge, April 2006 (UK$23.99; ISBN: 041537071X).

This innovative collection of studies by international youth researchers looks at 'global' youth from a variety of perspectives, in settings as diverse as Sydney, Tehran, Dakar and Manila, and brings together a similarly diverse group of researchers who examine youth cultures in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. It showcases previously unpublished youth research from outside the English-speaking world alongside that of more well-known researchers, such as Huq and Holden. The publisher's blurb asserts that 'this volume presents the first comprehensive review of global youth cultures, practices and identities, and as such is a valuable read for students and researchers of youth studies, cultural studies and sociology'.

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT ...

Action research and the alcohol and other drugs sector

The October edition of the magazine, 'Of substance' contains an article on action research, the latest in the magazine's series of articles on some of the different research techniques used in the alcohol and other drugs sector. Written by Southern Cross University's Bob Dick, editor of the journal 'Action Research International', the article defines action research as 'action and research integrated within a cyclic process involving continuous planning, action and review'. It's a valuable research tool for practitioners in the alcohol and other drugs field because it can be easily incorporated into regular practice, and is popular among practitioners as it allows them to actively involve their clients in the development of effective treatment programs. Action research derives its research rigour from being able to immediately test and refine theoretical assumptions in practice. The article also contains a number of references to publications on action research in the drug and alcohol sector, and several general publications on action research. (Source: 'Of Substance', v.4, n.4, 2006, pp.26-27.)

Copyright matters

The report of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the
Copyright Amendment Bill 2006 has been released. See: http://www.copyright.org.au/u27224

YFX November 2006

AUSTRALIAN CLEARINGHOUSE FOR YOUTH STUDIES ACYS NEWS

What's next in Youth Studies Australia

Time out in 'green retreats' and adolescent wellbeing