No. 148, December 2008: Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies

ACYS is happy that holidays have arrived after what seems like a very long year, and all the staff at ACYS wish you a safe, restful and joy-filled festive season. 'Youth Field Xpress' will return in the new year with a short, useful house-keeping edition at the end of January, and a new-look February edition. Keep an eye out for it in your in-box!

ACYS hours over the holiday season

Please note that the ACYS office closes at midday on 24 December 2008 and will reopen at 9 am on 5 January 2009.

2. AYIN E-LIST

AYIN e-list is a free email news service facilitated by the Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies using EDNA lists, a free communications service for the education community. The list is moderated by YFX editor Anne Hugo, and it now has two additional moderators to help with the administration of the list: Sue James, who may be known to readers of YFX as the editor of the education newsletter, 'Starlink', and Fiona Robards of the NSW Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health. The purpose of the AYIN e-list is to carry news as it happens, to keep you informed in between editions of this newsletter. It's an announcement list rather than a discussion list, and is therefore a "low-traffic" list. The idea is that you can post your own news to everyone by sending an email to: ayin@edna.edu.au (First though, you need to join the list, by sending an email to: join-ayin@edna.edu.au or send an inquiry for more information to anne.hugo@utas.edu.au

3. THIS MONTH'S FEATURED STORY: THE IMPACT OF VIOLENCE ON YOUNG PEOPLE'

'An assault on our future: The impact of violence on young people'

This new report indicates that over half a million Australian teenagers are living with violence in the home. "Vastly increased efforts need to be made, and resources mobilised, at national, state, and local levels, in the area of primary prevention of violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on children and young people. A multi-faceted prevention strategy, which engages boys and young men, is essential to maximising positive outcomes for all children and young people." So reads the conclusion of the executive summary of the survey, 'An assault on our future: The impact of violence on young people', released in November by the White Ribbon Foundation, which campaigns to end violence against women. The report shows that violence is having a major impact on the long-term health and wellbeing of Australia's children. The report's authors, Michael Flood and Lara Fergus, examine how violence against women specifically affects children and young people and the nature of violence they experience in their homes and their own relationships. They examine the impacts and the priorities for action if efforts to protect young people are to be successful. To download the full report, or an executive summary, visit the White Ribbon Day website: http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au/Resources-49.aspx (Source: communityNet website, viewed 18 December 2008, (URL no longer available) and (Australian Policy Onlinehttp://www.apo.org.au/ news item no longer available).

4. BEREAVEMENT

The Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network

This network links people across Australia concerned with children and adolescents' experiences of trauma, loss and grief. Its key resources offer help for understanding and responding to the diverse and complex needs of these young people and their families through an online forum. The site also offers visitors the chance to become a "Friend of the Network" to keep in touch with the website and network activities, or to become a "Network Member" for those who want to take part in collaborative activities regarding work or study about children and/or adolescents. The site is based at the Australian National University, at: http://www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/ (Source: Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association e-newsletter, 'AICAFMHA News list', 18 December 2008.)

5. DRUGS

New binge drinking website

NSW Health has launched a new interactive website to help raise awareness among young people and their parents about the dangers associated with binge drinking. The website (http://www.whatareyoudoingtoyourself.com) includes information on safer drinking practices, how to help friends who have had too much to drink, as well as useful contact numbers. (Source: NSW Association for Adolescent Health (NAAH), 'NAAH e-News', December 2008.)

National Inhalants Information Service

The National Inhalants Information Service (NIIS) is a unique service providing the Australian community with information and resources regarding inhalant misuse. The NIIS is managed by the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA). Launched in June 2008, the NIIS consists of a website, a database of resources and a traditional library service providing reference and research assistance, document supply and a current awareness bulletin.
The NIIS website is a comprehensive, regularly updated collection of information and resources about inhalant misuse in Australia. The site includes an alert service that highlights news and events regarding inhalants; a searchable database of the NIIS collection of resources from both Australia and overseas; and links to Australian and international websites, reports, the NIIS current awareness newsletter (NIIS CAN), and media reports (newspaper articles, television and radio transcripts).
The NIIS is committed to providing a reference service for anyone looking for information or resources on inhalant misuse. Research assistance or literature searches can be requested by clicking on the 'Ask a Librarian' link on the homepage of the website or by emailing the NIIS. A current awareness newsletter (NIIS CAN) is produced every two months and contains articles about inhalant misuse, community projects and new resources, and provides an opportunity for community groups to share their stories.
The NIIS welcomes community participation in their service. They are keen to hear from anyone currently dealing with an inhalant misuse issue, those who run successful programs to assist inhalant users, or those who have resources that they would like to include in the NIIS database or share with others. For further information, please contact the NIIS, ph: (02) 6215 9816; email: info[AT]inhalantsinfo.org.au; website: http://www.inhalantsinfo.org.au (Source: email, 11 December 2008.)

Information for parents and families from the Centre for Education and Information on Drugs and Alcohol (CEIDA)

The CEIDA website is specifically aimed at the parents, friends and family members of young people who are affected by, or at risk of being affected by, drugs and alcohol. The website offers practical, easy-to-follow advice about reducing involvement with alcohol and drug cultures, communicating with young people about alcohol and drugs, recognising signs of involvement with alcohol or drugs, and taking action to help. In addition, the website offers information about kinds of drugs and their effects, as well as a registry of help services across Australia. See: http://www.ceida.net.au (Source: CEIDA website, viewed 2 December 2008.)

6. EDUCATION

Bradley Review of Australian Higher Education

The Education Minister Julia Gillard has released the final report of the "Bradley review" of higher education in Australia. The proposed reforms, which include the recommendation to move towards a more student-centred model of funding, are outlined at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Review/Pages/ReviewofAustralianHigherEducationReport.aspx or get there via: http://tinyurl.com/4nxs9v

Mission Australian Youth Financial Literacy Program

Against the backdrop of drastically slowing global and domestic economies, a timely new program to tackle the financial pressures experienced by many young people in Australia is being rolled out across the country. Mission Australia's Youth Financial Literacy Program, jointly funded by CPA Australia and ANZ, seeks to provide sound financial management skills to young people, which are necessary for them to gain financial independence and avoid poverty in adulthood.
The participants in the program will be young people between the ages of 12 to 24 who are participating in programs being run by Mission Australia's youth services across the country. Ten young people based near Wollongong, New South Wales, will this week become the first group to graduate from the program, which will be shortly followed by more graduations in Victoria and South Australia.
The ongoing assessment of the program has been designed to track young peoples' progress in four areas, including their ability to identify their income and expenses, to set and work towards realistic financial goals, to identify where to go for further help and assistance, and their level of confidence in dealing with money management issues. (Source: CPA Australia and Mission Australia 2008, 'Youth financial skills crucial to preventing poverty', media release, 17 December, CPA Australia, viewed 18 December 2008, http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/SID-3F57FECB-D3FDEA2B/cpa/hs.xsl/1019_31314_ENA_HTML.htm)

ACER reports on mixed results for Australia in international Mathematics and Science study

The latest results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 show that the mathematical achievement levels of Australian students in Year 8 have remained static and have declined significantly in Year 8 Science. More at: http://www.acer.edu.au/enews/0812_TIMSS.html (Source: Australian Council for Educational Research, 'ACER eNews', Issue 72, 19 December 2008.)

7. ENVIRONMENT

'Gen Green: What young Australian tradespeople think of green skills'

Given the general acceptance that the green-collar economy is important for Australia's social and economic development, the Dusseldorp Skills Forum has produced this report on its survey that explored the attitudes and practices of 101 young tradespeople concerning 'green' work skills. Survey results show that while many respondents were interested in green skilling, they also often felt they had no opportunity or knowledge to make a difference in their workplaces. TAFE and workplaces were found to be the most influential teachers of green skills. In the workplace, the biggest barrier to using green skills was reported to be cost and workplace attitudes. The survey also asked respondents to suggest ways to develop green skills. For the full report, 'Gen Green: What young Australian tradespeople think of green skills', see: http://www.dsf.org.au/papers/209.htm (Source: Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF) 2008 'Gen Green: What young Australian tradespeople think of green skills', DSF, viewed 9 December 2008, http://www.dsf.org.au/papers/209.htm)

8. FUNDING AND SPONSORSHIP

New Zealand: Support for young people's call for more youth funds

A statement by New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) in early December claimed that funding for youth development in New Zealand is falling short, particularly in the area of services. NZAAHD president Trissal Mayor claimed that the current funding models for youth-specific services, particularly particularly in the area of health, are inadequate. A demonstration was held in early December. (Source: NZAAHD 2008, 'Support for young people's call for more youth funds', media release, 5 December, NZAAHD, viewed 10 December 2008, http://www.nzaahd.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=1&Itemid=143)

9. HEALTH

'Youth '07: The health and wellbeing of secondary school students in New Zealand'

Youth workers in New Zealand are celebrating new statistics that show a general improvement in young people's health between the years of 2001 and 2007. The Youth '07 study, conducted by the University of Auckland Adolescent Health Research Group, surveyed 9,500 students in over 100 schools, and is New Zealand's most comprehensive set of data on young people. The report assesses home and family life, general and emotional health, substance use, sexual health, injury and violence. Key areas of improvement since 2001 are relationships with family (p.15), school participation (p.18), body image for females (p.22) and the proportion of youths smoking (p.27). For more information, contact, Sarah Helm, ph: +61 4 382 9944. The initial findings of the report can be downloaded from http://www.youth2000.ac.nz/publications/reports-1142.htm (Source: NZAAHD 2008, 'Youth depression and drug use declining', media release, 8 December, NZAAHD, viewed 15 December 2008, http://www.nzaahd.org.nz/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=145&func=view&id=116&catid=14)

Body image: A voluntary national media and industry code of conduct

Kate Ellis, Minister for Sport and Youth, earlier this month announced $125,000 in funding to develop a voluntary national media and industry code of conduct on body image. The code will be developed in partnership with the media, health sector, fashion and beauty industries and young people through a national advisory group. So far, four areas of concern have been identified: notification of digital alterations (in case of physical manipulation); 16-year-old age limits for adult fashion shows, magazine shoots and TV programs; commitment to diversification of body shape and size; and the need to stop the glamorisation of severely underweight models or celebrities. (Source: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) 2008, 'National Media and Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image', media release, 5 December, DEEWR, Canberra, viewed 10 December 2008, http://mediacentre.dewr.gov.au/mediacentre/Ellis/Releases/NationalMediaandIndustryCodeofConductonBodyImage.htm)

10. INDIGENOUS YOUTH

Tell your story for the Dr Ross Ingram Memorial Essay Competition

The Dr Ross Ingram Memorial Essay Competition is now open to any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is working, researching or training in a health-related field. Essays need to present original and positive ideas for promoting health gains and health equity for Australia's Indigenous peoples. Winning entries will published in a special Indigenous health issue of the 'Medical Journal of Australia' and attract a $5,000 prize. Essays should be no more than 2,000 words long, and must be submitted by Friday, 23 January 2009. See the 'Medical Journal of Australia' website for past winners and more information. (Source: Medical Journal of Australia website, viewed 8 December 2008, http://www.mja.com.au/public/information/RossIngramCompetition.html)

Indigenous Youth Challenge: Leadership program

Indigenous youth can participate in a leadership program facilitated by Youth Challenge Australia in partnership with Oxfam International Youth Partnerships. Each year, four Indigenous Australians are offered fully funded places to volunteer in remote communities in Vanuatu for six to 10 weeks. The aim of the Indigenous Youth Challenge program is to provide Indigenous Australians with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, connect with other Indigenous cultures and communities in the region, undertake cross-cultural exchange, engage with their own communities on return and participate in international aid and community development. Projects often involve youth conferences and construction tasks as well as smaller team ventures identified by the community. Participants gain practical experience in project management in a cross-cultural environment, working with Ni-Vanuatu youth, Canadians and Australians. For more information, contact Liz Doran, University of Technology, Sydney, email: liz.doran[AT]uts.edu.au ph: (02) 9514 5248. (Source: Shona Whitton, Youth Challenge Australia, email, 9 December 2008.)

New sexual health website for Indigenous youth

To mark World AIDS Day 2008, sexual and reproductive health organisation Marie Stopes Australia launched a new website designed to provide young Indigenous Australians with information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), teenage pregnancy, contraception, and drug and alcohol use. The website (http://www.snakecondoms.org.au) was developed, designed and written in consultation with Indigenous youth. (Source: SNAKE Condoms website, viewed 18 December 2008, http://www.snakecondoms.org.au/index.php/news/view/1)

11. INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

Swiss health policy on illegal drugs

In one of a series of referendums in Switzerland to decide government policy on illegal drugs, Swiss voters have rejected the decriminalisation of cannabis but have backed a change in their government's health policy to provide prescription heroin to addicts. The prescription heroin scheme, a 10-year experiment used by 1,300 addicts to date (people who have tried and failed abstinence treatments at least twice and who have also failed opiate replacement treatment) has had positive results. The pilot program is credited with getting long-term addicts out of Switzerland's "needle parks" and reducing drug-related crime. A spokesperson for a parent group said the medically supervised treatment service for long-term addicts sent the wrong message to young people, one going so far as to say that they would prefer their child to die. However, 68 per cent of Swiss people voted for the strategy as a government-sanctioned health measure. More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7757050.stm (Adapted from an email to ADCA's Update mailing list by Leah McLeod, Personal Project Assistant to Dr Alex Wodak.)

12. MENTAL HEALTH

HandsOnScotland

The HandsOnScotland website was designed to provide those working with children and young people with 'a toolkit of helpful responses to encourage children and young people's emotional wellbeing'. It was commissioned by HeadsUpScotland, the national project for children and young people's mental health, in response to recommendations from the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme's 2003 report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health. HandsOnScotland includes an index of mental health issues and problem behaviours commonly experienced by children and young people -- each entry features practical information on the issue/problem behaviour and suggests techniques to help workers respond helpfully to the needs of children and young people and increase their self-esteem. For further information, visit: http://www.handsonscotland.co.uk (Source: Derek Harley, email, 21 October.)

GEMS of initiative to help young people with parents with a mental illness

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) is a national initiative that aims to promote better mental health outcomes for children up to 18 years of age who have parents with a mental health problem. Part of this initiative is a website resource, Gateways to Evidence that MatterS, or GEMS. It provides a summary of recent international research for those working in the field and aims to provide guidance as well as identify gaps in the research for practitioners. GEMS are short, two-page summaries that promote the collection, interpretation and integration of valid, recent and relevant research from around the world. GEMS are produced by, and based on, the views and experiences of those researching, working and living with parental mental illness. For more information, contact David Boots, communications officer, COPMI, ph: (08) 8367 0888. To find published GEMS or to find out how to contribute to the publication of GEMS, visit the COPMI Gateway to Evidence that MatterS website: http://www.copmi.net.au/gems/index.html (Source: David Boots, email, 27 November 2008.)

National eTherapy Centre for anxiety disorders

The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing is to fund a National eTherapy Centre for Anxiety Disorders (NetCAD) at Swinburne University of Technology. In 2009, NetCAD will provide Anxiety Online, an internet-based clinical treatment program for anxiety disorders, to make cognitive therapy more readily accessible. The service will include treatment programs for generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. The centre will also offer online training courses for e-therapists and clinical e-supervisors. (Source: Swin-PsyCHE eTherapy Unit website, viewed 8 December 2008, http://www.swinburne.edu.au/lss/swinpsyche/etherapy/index.html)

Childhood stress linked to emotional disorders

'Three years on: A survey of the emotional development and wellbeing of children and young people' is a report commissioned by the Scottish Government and the British Government Department of Health. The report shows that children and youth who experience three or more stressful life events are at more risk of developing emotional and behavioural disorders. It also shows that having strong social links with networks of family and friends, being a member of a club or group, and feeling safe in the neighbourhood all offer a cushion against emotional damage. The report is authored by the UK Office for National Statistics, or ONS, the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-ministerial department which reports directly to Parliament. ONS is the UK government's single largest statistical producer. It compiles information about the UK's society and economy which provides evidence for policy and decision-making, including the allocation of resources. More at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/article.asp?id=2063 (Source: Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association e-newsletter, 'AICAFMHA News list', 18 December 2008.)

13. MOVEMENTS, CHANGES, MILESTONES

... at the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)

After more than 11 years as the SNAICC Chairperson, Muril Bamblett AM stood down as SNAICC Chairperson at the November SNAICC AGM. Steve Larkins from the Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services and NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat Inc has been elected as the new SNAICC Chairperson. (Source: SNAICC website, viewed 18 December 2008, http://www.snaicc.asn.au/news/view_article.cfm?loadref=8&id=105)
John Spierings has moved from the Dusseldorp Skills Forum to a new role in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
headspace: In a Department of Health and Ageing media release issued in December, the Australian Government announced $35.6 million in funding to headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, to continue its work on youth mental health. The funding will be provided over three years from July 2009 "once headspace has repositioned itself as an independent company, better placing it to improve the lives of young people living with mental illness". In addition, Ms Wendy McCarthy has been appointed the new Chair of headspace. She succeeds Mr Ryan Stokes who has served as headspace Chair since its inception in 2006. (Source: Department of Health and Ageing, 'Supporting Youth Mental Health -- New Funding And New Chair For Headspace', media release, 12 December 2008.)

14. PARENTING

Engaging adolescents: Parenting skills for resolving teenage behaviour problems

This is the title of a train-the-trainer program that provides professionals with skills (and a comprehensive training manual) for conducting a three-session program for parents of adolescents. The program has been developed by psychologists Michael Hawton, director of 'Parentshop' and Peter Chown, a consultant with the NSW Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health and specialist trainer for 'headspace' (the National Youth Mental Health Foundation). The program helps parents to develop a better understanding of the emotional and developmental changes that their teenagers are going through, and, more importantly, it provides them with practice in the skills of managing challenging behaviour and holding difficult conversations with their teens.
One-day practitioner training programs are to be conducted in 2009 in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Newcastle, Hobart, Launceston and Perth. These programs are suitable for family support workers, school counselors, psychologists and anyone working with parents of adolescents. For more information, phone Parentshop, ph: 1300 738 278 or Peter Chown, ph: (02) 6680 5223. Alternatively, visit: http://www.parentshop.com.au

'The dynamics of welfare participation among women who experienced teenage motherhood in Australia'

This study, commissioned by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and undertaken by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics, examines factors that determine the welfare participation of women who were teenage mothers to establish whether or not the factors differ from those that determine the welfare participation of women who became mothers at an older age. The study draws on multiple existing data sets, including the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics (HILDA) survey and unit record files from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Findings suggest that teen mothers are disadvantaged in terms of both their childhood experiences and their current circumstances. They are less likely to have a partner or to be employed, they are likely to have lower levels of education, although teen pregnancy in itself is not a likely cause of their lower levels of education (pp.15-16). Teenage mothers are worse off than older mothers in terms of mental and physical health. The report concludes that, while education levels have been considered important in reducing teenage mothers' reliance on welfare, their poor health might prove to be a better indicator of their continued welfare participation. (Source: Jeon, S., Kalb, G. and Ha, V. 2008, 'The dynamics of welfare participation among women who experienced teenage motherhood in Australia', Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series, n. 22, viewed 15 December 2008, http://www.melbourneinstitute.com/publications/working/wp2008.cfm )

15. PARTICIPATION

'Renegotiating community life and participation through art'

The first issue of 'Gateways: International journal of community research and engagement' (v.1, 2008), carries an interesting article titled 'Renegotiating community life: Arts, agency, inclusion and wellbeing', by Martin Mulligan, Christopher Scanlon and Nicky Welch. The article reports on the findings of a four-year, multi-method study conducted in Victoria across four diverse local communities. The study focused on the use of photo-narrative techniques for exploring "the lived experiences of people whose involvement in local communities is seen as being problematic". 'Gateways' is a refereed, open-access journal concerned with the practice and processes of community research and other forms of engagement and is jointly edited and managed by UTS Shopfront at the University of Technology, Sydney, and the Centre for Urban Research and Learning at Loyola University in Chicago. For further information, visit the 'Gateways' website: http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/ijcre (Source: Australian Policy Online, 11 November 2008, viewed 17 December 2008, http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=238753)

16. RESEARCH

Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) website

The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) website, flagged as forthcoming in a previous edition of this newsletter, has now been formally launched. The website has been developed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), as part of the LSAY analytical program. The website brings together all the LSAY work into a single location -- data and research about young peoples' transitions from school to work and further study.
Adriana Turner, Project Administrator, LSAY Branch of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, reports that a key feature of the LSAY website is the online cohort reports, which provide users with the ability to search and generate data from the LSAY program based on their individual interest. Topics covered include employment, education and social activities and outcomes for young people. The LSAY website also contains all previously published LSAY reports, briefing papers, and all technical documentation associated with the LSAY data. The 2007 waves of LSAY data have now been released to the Australian Social Science Data Archive, and the associated technical documentation is available from the LSAY website, at: http://www.lsay.edu.au. The LSAY program is managed and funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) with support from state and territory governments.

17. RIGHTS

Center for Health and Gender Equity

Based in Washington DC, the Center for Health and Gender Equity is a non-governmental organisation focused on the effects of American international policy on the health and rights of women, girls and other vulnerable populations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. For further information, visit the Center for Health and Gender Equity website: http://www.genderhealth.org or email the organisation: change[at]genderhealth.org See also the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief: http://www.pepfarwatch.org and the AIDS prevention organisation Prevention Now http://www.preventionnow.net

NSW Inquiry into Children and Young People 9 to 14 Years

As a result of the huge response to this inquiry from a wide range of interested individuals and organisations, the inquiry committee has changed the date for tabling the report to some time in the first Parliamentary Session of 2009. (Source: Email, 1 December 2008, Jo Alley, Senior Committee Officer, NSW Legislative Assembly, ph: (02) 9230 2363.)

Call for entries: Human rights video competition

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre is holding a video competition to mark the 60th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Entrants are invited to create a video that reflects the competition theme: 'Why Australia needs human rights protection'. Entries close on Monday 16 March 2009. For further information, or to download an entry form, visit: http://www.piac.asn.au/news/Competition.html (Source: NSW Association for Adolescent Health (NAAH), 'NAAH e-News', December 2008.)

18. SOCIAL INCLUSION

'Social inclusion: Origins, concepts and key themes'

This report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) outlines the challenges and benefits of social inclusion as an approach for addressing social problems like poverty, homelessness, children at risk and intergenerational disadvantage in Australia. The report describes the historical development of the approach, and some of the policy programs it has spawned in Europe. Social inclusion models stress the importance of building social capital by ensuring strong educational, family and community support systems for those who are already excluded, and by preventing others -- children and youth -- from becoming socially excluded. (Source: Hayes, A., Gray, M. and Edwards, B. 2008, 'Social inclusion: Origins, concepts and key themes', paper prepared by the Australian Institute of Family Studies for the Social Inclusion Unit, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, AIFS, viewed 8 December 2008, http://www.socialinclusion.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/AD43AF87-AEE5-4D04-8A93-645843C804F7/24461/AIFSsocialinclusionreportOct2009.pdf)

19. STATISTICS

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released another edition of its 'Children and Youth News' series (ABS document 4105.0,
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4105.0?OpenDocument).

20. SURVEYS

Mission Australia's 'National survey of young Australians 2008'

Body image, drugs and family conflict are the top three issues of concern among young people, according to Mission Australia's seventh 'National survey of young Australians', released on 25 November 2008. More than 45,000 young Australians aged 11-24 took part in this year's survey, the highest number of respondents since the survey began in 2001. As well as being asked to rank their level of concern for 15 key issues, respondents were asked what they valued, who they turned to for advice and support, the types of activities in which they were involved, and which people or organisations they most admired. Demographic information was also recorded.
When asked to rank their level of concern about 15 issues, young people most frequently named body image among their top three issues (ranked in the top 2 by 26.3 per cent of respondents), closely followed by drugs (26.0 per cent) and family conflict (25.9 per cent). In comparison with findings from last year's survey, the 2008 findings indicate an overall increase in the proportion of young people who listed drugs in their top three concerns -- from one in five respondents in 2007 to one in four respondents in 2008. This increase in concern about drugs was most notable among the 11 to 14 age group, who were twice as likely as 20- to 24-year-olds to identify it as a major issue (31.2 per cent compared with 16.6 per cent).
The report on the survey contains a summary of the national results (broken down by age and gender), as well as a summary of results from each state and territory, and a chapter comparing findings from Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people. It can be downloaded as a PDF from the Mission Australia website: http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/document-downloads/cat_view/34-social-policy-reports (Source: Mission Australia 2008, 'Drugs a growing concern for young Australians', media release, 25 November, Mission Australia, viewed 26 November 2008, http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/news/media-releases/862-drugs-a-growing-concern-for-young-australians )

21. TECHNOLOGY

'The ECAR study of undergraduate students and information technology, 2008'

This report was issued by the US-based EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research (ECAR) in late October 2008. The study covers topics such as technology-assisted learning and social networking sites, and finds that technologically assisted learning is appreciated by most students across all age groups, but not at the expense of opportunities for face-to-face interaction. Regarding the topic as of critical importance, ECAR has made the full study, as well as key findings and roadmap, publicly available at: http://connect.educause.edu/Library/ECAR/TheECARStudyofUndergradua/47485, (Source: ECAR website, viewed 15 December 2008.)

Findings from the US digital youth project

A white paper funded by the US-based McArthur Foundation presents the findings of a three-year study into young people's participation in, and use of, new media technology. The study, 'Living and learning with new media: Summary of findings from the digital youth project', examines how new media is integrated into young people's lives and how this changes adult-youth relations in the context of learning and in "authoritative knowledge". The implications of these changes for parents, educators and policymakers are also discussed. New media is shown to be a powerful social link for young people, which often takes the place of "hanging out" in public spaces. New media is also an important starting point for experimentation with new media and self expression. Findings suggest that, in this new environment, socialising and play are not incompatible with learning and that these activities can be used to reinforce each other. The report notes that these new processes of learning are not available for all young people in the USA. The paper is available at:
http://digitalyouth.ischool.berkeley.edu/files/report/digitalyouth-WhitePaper.pdf For more information about learning and digital media, see: http://www.digitallearning.macfound.org/

22. VIOLENCE

'Responding to young people disclosing sexual assault: A resource for schools'

This new report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) looks at the nature of sexual assault between young people. The report outlines the findings of other studies of young people's experience of sexual assault and disclosure of such assault, including how well young people recognise sexual assault, whom they are likely to tell, and the barriers to disclosure. The report aims to supplement initiatives of the National Safe Schools Framework, and evaluates what schools can do within this framework to better respond to the disclosure of sexual assault. The report includes a practical guide for responding to student disclosure at an individual, staff and school level, along with examples of best practice from particular schools. (Source: Quadara, A. 2008, 'Responding to young people disclosing sexual assault: A resource for schools', 'ACSSA Wrap', n.6, 2008, Australian Institute of Family Studies, viewed 9 December 2008, http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/wrap/w6.html)

23. YOUTH STUDIES

Master of Youth Health and Education Management

There is growing recognition that the provision of services for young people is greatly enhanced by cross-sectoral/inter-agency practice. The Master of Youth Health and Education Management (MYHEM) is a joint program of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. It has been specifically designed for professionals who recognise the need to create 'joined up solutions' for what are obviously 'joined up problems'. This applies particularly to problems concerning young people such as youth unemployment, drug abuse and homelessness. Teaching is informed by the current research of the Youth Research Centre, the Centre for Adolescent Health and the Student Wellbeing Unit.
MYHEM participants develop leadership skills that can be used in a range of roles and workplace settings. Current students in the course include leaders, managers and practitioners in the youth field, and nurses, teachers, counsellors and administrators in school, hospital, community and management settings. Combining advanced theory and policy studies with hands-on practical experience and research, MYHEM covers subjects such as Cross-sectoral Practice, Youth Policy and Theory in Practice, Research and Evaluation in Communities, and Leadership in Youth Health and Education.
Applications for the course are now open, and late applications will be accepted, subject to the availability of places in the course, until the end of January 2009. To submit an application, visit http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/aust/apg (Source: University of Melbourne Course and Subject Handbook, viewed 18 December 2008, https://app.portal.unimelb.edu.au/CSCApplication/view/2009/587-AA)

More on youth studies

The Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies (ACYS, the publishers of this newsletter) is keen to know of the latest details of tertiary courses in youth work or youth studies around the country, in order to update the ACYS website listing of courses. Please send details to: information@acys.utas.edu.au

24. YOUTH WORK

YouTube items on the youth work professionalisation debate

Aaron Garth has done an ethnographical study of the youth work professionalisation issue as part of his Bachelor of Social Science (Youth Work) degree at RMIT University. He spoke to four youth workers with varying levels of experience and qualifications as part of the research. The interviews can be viewed on YouTube as a series of videos at:
(http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=naeYDQ4mxsM)
Jethro Sercombe of the West Australian Association of Youth Workers talks about Australia's first professional association or youth workers, at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kKQll2_7HI
Georgie Ferrari, CEO of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, talks about the state of professionalisation of youth work in Victoria and the relationship between peak bodies and professional associations, at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFvlx5hyvKI
Lisa Darmanian, of the Australian Services Union talks about the unions' role in professionalisation and their relationship to a professional body, at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4ZFCFg5YWw
(Source: Aaron Garth, email, 26 November 2008, and Rhys Farthing, email, 15 December 2008.)

The Youth Health Network website

The Youth Health Network is a new website aimed at youth workers and youth service providers with providing resources, information and advice on youth sexual health and youth health in general. Elissa Elvidge is the project officer for the HIV and related programs unit at Hunter New England Population Health, and she and her team are looking for other youth service provider websites to promote the new Youth Health Network site. For more information, see the website,
http://www.yhn.org.au (Source: Elissa Elvidge, ph: (02) 4924 6381, email: elissa.elvidge@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au)

'Livesmart': A multilingual life skills website

'Livesmart' is a new multilingual website that helps young people develop important living skills. It was initially aimed at young people using social support services who speak a language other than English, and, as a result, the website is delivered in six languages. There is information on employment, goal setting, public transport, housing, cooking, health and hygiene, personal safety and rights, as well as an interactive 'make your own budget' tool. While some of the links to further information are specific to Victoria, the information is generally useful for all Australians. For more information, contact Trudy Hairs, Livesmart, ph: (03) 9687 0733, email: livesmart[AT]iramoo.com.au or see: http://www.livesmart.net.au (Source: 'Livesmart' website, viewed 8 December 2008).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This edition acknowledges the help of Felicity Picken in compiling material, the help of Kate Gross and Sue Headley for editorial and proofreading help, and, of course, the contributions from YFX readers that make for interesting new content. Send your news contributions to: Anne Hugo, editor, 'Youth Field Xpress', information@acys.utas.edu.au

FAREWELL UNTIL 2009!

Once again, do hae a safe, restful and joy-filled festive season. 'Youth Field Xpress' returns in late January 2009, with a short, useful house-keeping edition at the end of January, and a new-look February edition. Keep an eye out for it in your in-box.

ACYS HOURS OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON

The ACYS office closes at midday on 24 December 2008 and will reopen at 9 am on 5 January 2008.