No. 151, March 2009: Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies

Future media releases for the journal 'Youth Studies Australia' will be distributed via a media alert email list. Media representatives who subscribe to the YSA Media List will receive the media release on the day the journal is distributed and will be able to access electronic versions of relevant articles for professional use. Media representatives who wish to sign up for the YSA media alert need to send a blank email to the following email address:
join-YSA_media_alert@edna.edu.au For information on subscribing to the journal, send an email to ysajournal@acys.utas.edu.au

2. ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS

Kids Helpline: 2007 overview and new-look newsletter

The November 2008 edition of the 'Kids Helpline Newsletter' summarised findings from the 2007 overview of issues of concern raised by the children and young people who contacted Kids Helpline in that year. According to the overview, the top 10 concerns of those who used Kids Helpline in 2007 (in descending order of frequency) were: family relationships, emotional/behavioural management, mental health issues, peer relationships, partner relationships, child abuse, bullying, homelessness, suicide, and grief. Concern about mental health issues has more than doubled since 2002, while concern about suicide has increased by about 20 per cent since 2006. To download a copy of the 'Kids Helpline 2007 overview' or the new-look newsletter, visit the Kids Helpline website: http://kidshelp.com.au (Source: 'Kids Helpline Newsletter', n.1, 2008, pp.1, 6.)

AC Grayling on youth problem behaviour

Last year, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a UK charity that works to identify and address social problems, invited three distinguished social commentators to discuss the issue of "a decline in values" in contemporary society. In his response, the philosopher AC Grayling, of Birkbeck College, University of London, touched on the topic of youth problem behaviour: "Responsibility advances maturity and personal growth because it is educative, provides insights and satisfies the need for a means to self-respect and self-worth. Hooligan behaviour is a means to the same ends in the eyes of peers, simply because better ways of achieving them are absent. The structure contemporary society imposes on adolescence needs to be overhauled to account for this central fact." The full text of Professor Grayling's paper 'Social evils and social good' can be found at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/social-evils-and-social-good (Source: 'The Edge', n.23, autumn 2008, p.8.)

3. BULLYING

NSW Youth Advisory Council report on cyberbullying

The NSW Youth Advisory Council has made recommendations to that state's Minister for Youth on strategies to build awareness of cyberbullying and its effects on young people. (YFX has mentioned in previous issues the council's consultation process which included an online forum where young people had their say on the issue.) See: http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/uploads/documents/CyberbullyingReportforMinisterFinalDec08.pdf (Source: NSW Commission for children and Young People,
http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/kids/resources/news.cfm?itemID=C45E4664930F2581FA7D4991A366A798)

Cyber Friendly Communities' Declaration against Cyber Bullying among Children and Young People

In WA, 210 students in Year 10 attended the Cyber Friendly Student Summit, organised in October 2008 as part of a $400,000 study being conducted by Edith Cowan University's Child Health Promotion Research Centre. Funded by the WA Government, the study is said to be the first in the world to investigate the causes and effects of cyber bullying over time. The summit aimed to get students' ideas on how to improve cyber safety and reduce the academic, social and emotional harms suffered by secondary students who are bullied. The young attendees signed a declaration at the summit and issued a call to action presented to WA's education minister. It listed what the students thought young people, families, schools and Government could do to increase cyber safety and reduce cyber bullying.
The ECU Cyber Friendly Schools Project (2008 to 2009) involves research into cyber bullying behaviour in Western Australian schools. Read about it at the Edith Cowan University Child Health Promotion Research Centre website, http://chpru.ecu.edu.au/research/current/cyberfriendly.php#cyberfriendlyschools, (Source: ECU website, http://chpru.ecu.edu.au/research/current/cyberfriendly.php, viewed 20 March 2009, and WA Government, 'Students issue cyber bullying call to action', media release, 26 February 2009, http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=131386)

Bullying beyond the schoolyard

'Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and responding to cyberbullying' by S. Hinduja and J. Patchin is a new book from Corwin Press distributed by Footprint Press, ISBN 9 781 412 966 894, RRP $78.00. YFX has not yet seen a copy, but a review by Steve Holden appeared in the Australian College of Educators' magazine, 'Professional Educator', v.8, n.1, March 2009, p.48. Holden concludes his review by saying the authors "provide a wealth of resources including scenarios for discussion, sample internet use and mobile phone use contracts, a cyberbullying assessment instrument, a report form and an audit instrument".

One of many articles in the scholarly press on this subject is 'Cyberbullying: An ethnographic case study of one Australian upper primary school class', by Damian Maher, in: 'Youth Studies Australia', v.27, n.4, 2008, pp.50-57.

New Zealand addresses bullying in schools

Across the Tasman, the issue of bullying and violence in schools is receiving a lot of press attention. The latest edition of the New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development's newsletter 'NZAAHD e update' (n.162, 20 March 2009) contains several items of interest to Australian readers about bullying and behaviour issues in schools.
* 'School safety: An inquiry into the safety of students', issued by the NZ Office of the Children's Commissioner, was prompted by indications that school violence and bullying was affecting the welfare of a number of New Zealand students and that bullying was evident in every New Zealand school. The report is online at: http://www.occ.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/6028/OCC_SchoolSafetyReport_160309.pdf
* 'School violence, bullying and abuse: A human rights analysis', a New Zealand Human Rights Commission (HRC) document, identifies significant human rights issues. The analysis was prompted by a request from parents of students who have experienced violence in their schools. The authors of the HRC report remind us that the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child states that children do not lose their human rights by virtue of passing through the school gates. "A child or young person who is bullied, abused or assaulted has rights, regardless of the age of their perpetrator or where the incident occurs. Any failure to treat bullying, abuse and violence seriously because it occurs between students, within schools, is a violation of a child's human rights." The report is available as a PDF on the HRC site at: http://www.hrc.co.nz/home/hrc/resources/resources.php#education
* A two-day summit on behaviour in schools has just concluded. The Behaviour Summit, held on 16-17 March at Te Papa in Wellington, New Zealand, involved New Zealand's major education institutions as well as principals, teachers, unions, government agencies, school boards, parents, police, early childhood services and community organisations. While some say the event could have focused more on bullying and intolerance, and whole-school approaches, one outcome of the event is that a steering group will meet regularly with other sector representatives to work on a comprehensive action plan to address school behaviour issues. Another outcome is that the Ministry of Education in New Zealand is working on a plan of action to address behaviour issues in schools. (Source: New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development's newsletter 'NZAAHD e update', n.162, 20 March 2009, and Scoop.co.nz, http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0903/S00064.htm, and http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00195.htm, viewed 20 March 2009.)

4. CRIME AND JUSTICE

Adolescence, pornography and harm

This is the title of a recent paper in the 'Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice' series published by the Australian Institute of Criminology. Author Dr Colleen Bryant reviewed Australian and international research in order to examine social factors that place young people at increased risk of exposure, or of experiencing potentially negative outcomes from early exposure to, pornography. Research indicates that young people's degree of exposure to, and reasons for, pornography use vary markedly according to demographic, social and personal characteristics. While concern exists that pornography use has the potential to "detrimentally transform sexual attitudes and behaviours", including the potential to foster sexual violence, a limited amount of research has been conducted into the harms of pornography among adolescents. The available research suggests that the relationship between pornography exposure and sexual violence is complex and varies according to the content of pornographic media; the personal characteristics, experiences and childhood development of individuals; and the influence of other sources of sexual socialisation (such as other media types, peers, culture and society). There is a significant need for further "longitudinal studies of use and of actual behaviour, and for studies that focus on cultural contexts and emerging media". The paper can be downloaded from the Australian Institute of Criminology website: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi2/tandi368.html (Source: Bryant, C. 2009, 'Adolescence, pornography and harm', Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, n.368, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra.)

5. DRUGS

Research from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre

The November 2008 edition of 'CentreLines', the newsletter of the National Centres for Drug and Alcohol Research, highlights some of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre's recent international research activities. These include research undertaken in conjunction with the Queensland Centre for Medical Health Research that will "determine the global burden of disease of illicit drug use and dependence, and mental health disorders". This research is part of a wider Global Burden of Disease, Injuries and Risk Factors Study which involves researchers from around the world. Other international research involving the NDARC is being conducted in Singapore, Iran, Thailand, Mongolia, Burma and Laos. In an accompanying piece, NDARC director Richard P. Mattick outlines how the centre's international research profile has expanded in recent years. (Source: 'CentreLines', n.24, 2008, pp.2-5.)

New resources from the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre

The new National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre has produced a series of resources designed to help people deal with cannabis-related issues. The resources are titled, 'What's the deal? Cannabis facts for parents', 'What's the deal? Cannabis facts for young people', What's the deal? Talking with a young person about cannabis' and 'What's the deal on quitting? A do-it-yourself guide to quitting cannabis'. Electronic copies of these resources can be downloaded from the NCPIC website, while hard copies can be obtained by filling out an order form which is also available on the website: http://ncpic.org.au/workforce/cannabisinfo/resources/ (Source: NCPIC website, viewed 17 March 2009.)

Alcopops

The failure of the Australian Government to secure its bid to increase the tax on so-called alcopops means that cheaper pre-mixed alcoholic drinks will be available within weeks. Consumption of ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages fell in Australia after the 70 per cent tax increase in April 2008, and experts have warned of the consequent harms that young people might now experience from the availability of cheaper 'alcopop' drinks. Some commentary on the topic is online at the DrugInfo Clearinghouse news archive, at http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/archive

A new heroin in-flux

While the media concentrates on the alcopop debate, another drug is making a come-back in Australia. Global opium production is at an all-time high and Australia is at risk of a new flood of heroin, warns the Australian National Council on Drugs. The Age cites a leading expert in harm-reduction programs among injecting drug users in South-East Asia, Prof. Nick Crofts of the Nossal Institute for Global Health at the University of Melbourne, as saying that Australia had been instrumental in persuading several countries in the region to adopt methadone programs, but that they were still in the early stages of development. (Source: The Age, 17 March 2009, http://www.theage.com.au/national/warning-on-heroin-influx-20090316-8zwp.html, and the DrugInfo Clearinghouse news archive, at http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/archive)

SO: Spaced Out: A board game to raise awareness of link between substance abuse and mental health

SO: Spaced Out is a new boardgame, and forms part of the Keep Your Head Together Project, which provides professional development resources for the youth and health sector. The project was a finalist in the National Drug and Alcohol Awards in 2008, in the excellence in prevention category. Young people participated in testing the game, and MLC Powerhouse Design Sydney contributed over $15,000 worth of their time to the game’s visual development. The game allows workers to explore with clients the link between substance use and mental health problems. Specifically designed for use in the youth field, it aims to convey knowledge and generate discussion with young people about dual diagnosis problems. Using character storylines, players collect clues relating to family, societal or psychological issues, and the winner is the first to reach a 'solution space. Along the way, fact cards help players learn more about health issues. The game ends with a facilitator-led discussion about dual diagnosis. The game costs $85.00 (including GST, postage and handling) and is available through the D&A Network, Sydney West Area Health Service, ph: (02) 4734 3877.

6. EDUCATION

TIMSS 2007 shows average performance for Aussie students

In the summer 2008-2009 edition of 'Research Developments', ACER principal research fellow Sue Thomson gives an overview of Australia's performance in the 2007 round of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). This four-yearly study assesses Year 4 and Year 8 students' maths and science performance, as well as curriculum coverage and implementation, teacher preparation, resource availability and use of technology. Sue Thomson said that the results indicated that Australia was "doing a very good job at educating students to an average standard", but that "the proportion of Australian students achieving results at the advanced international benchmark set for TIMSS fell well short of the leading Asian nations".
Dr Thompson makes the following suggestions for the future of maths and science education in Australia: "In primary and junior secondary science and maths, we need to find ways to increase the amount of teaching expertise available in schools, increase the small amount of time given to the teaching of science and maths, and implement curricula that enable classroom teachers to demonstrate in engaging and meaningful ways the application of science and maths to the phenomena that students encounter in their lives. Sue Thomson is one of the authors of the report 'TIMSS 07: Taking a closer look at mathematics and science in Australia', which is available for download from the ACER website: http://www.acer.edu.au/1/index.php/news-item/timss07 (Source: 'Research Developments', n.20, 2008-2009, pp.16-19.)

7. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Surveys shed light on the graduate market

Graduate Careers Australia has released results from its 'University and beyond' and 'Graduate outlook' surveys for 2008. The 2008 'University and beyond' survey examined the graduate employment expectations of over 27,500 university students. It found that, in terms of employment rewards, "males were more interested in 'extrinsic' rewards, such as higher salaries, while females were more interested in 'intrinsic' rewards, such as making a contribution to society or conducting interesting and challenging work". In general, undergraduates overestimated their value in the employment market, while postgraduates underestimated their value. Students "generally had a good understanding of what employers considered the most important graduate skills and attributes".
The 'Graduate outlook' survey, conducted in August 2008, examined employers' perceptions of graduate recruitment. It found that over half of the employers surveyed "would have employed more graduates in 2008 had a higher number of appropriate graduates been available" and most anticipated hiring a higher number of graduates in 2009. A smaller follow-up survey of around 100 graduate employers, conducted in October 2008, found that most employers did not believe that the advent of global financial instability would affect their 2009 graduate intakes. Employers named interpersonal and communication skills as the most important selection criteria for graduate recruits.
Snapshots of findings from these surveys are available for download from the GCA website: http://www.graduatecareers.com.au (Source: 'Graduate Grapevine', n.13, summer 2008-2009, pp.4-8.)

Assessing students' employability skills

In an article in the summer 2008-2009 edition of the ACER magazine 'Research Developments', ACER principal research fellow Gabrielle Matters outlines a study she conducted with ACER senior research fellow David Curtis, investigating the most effective ways of assessing and reporting on the employability skills of senior secondary students. The study considered the eight key skills listed in the Employability Skills Framework devised in 2002 by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Business Council of Australia.
While finding that assessing and reporting these skills was a complex task that would place a high demand on schools, the study found that it was an important part of helping students to make successful transitions to the workforce. No single approach was identified as an effective way to assess the different facets of the eight employability skills; the authors recommended a combination of three assessment approaches: standardised testing, common assessment tasks and teacher-group judgement. The study, 'A study into the assessment and reporting of employability skills of senior secondary students', can be downloaded from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website: http://www.deewr.gov.au/employabilityskills (Source: 'Research Developments', n.20, 2008-2009, pp.7-9.)

8. ENVIRONMENT

Climate change and children: A human security challenge

UNICEF's Innocenti Research Centre has released the report, 'Climate change and children: A human security challenge', a study that reviews the implications of climate change for children and future generations, drawing on relevant experiences in different sectors and countries of promoting child rights and well-being. http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/climate_change.pdf

9. ETHNIC AND MULTICULTURAL YOUTH

FECCA-DIAC Multicultural Youth Project 2009

The Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. FECCA provides advocacy, develops policy and promotes issues on behalf of its constituency to government and the broader community. FECCA and the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) are seeking to identify best practice initiatives in multicultural youth projects in Australia, with the possibility of developing a national model.
This initiative is being done in two phases:
Part A was finalised in December 2008. It aimed to identify best practice examples from multicultural youth programs that focus on capacity building, engagement with the broader community and leadership. A report from FECCA has been presented to DIAC. (For a copy, contact Charles Njora, FECCA's Policy and Liaison Officer, at the email address given below.)
Part B, Developing a National Model Based on Best Practice Initiatives: This phase of the project will focus on the possibilities for a national model based on best practice initiatives.
Consultations for Part B are in progress until 17 April 2009.
FECCA is seeking to generate ideas for part B from youth, youth networks and other interested parties. To contribute, contact Charles Njora, FECCA's Policy and Liaison Officer, ph: (02) 6282 5755; fax: (02) 6282 5734; email: policy@fecca.org.au, http://www.fecca.org.au

10. FAMILIES

The latest issues of 'Family Matters', the journal of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, has been released, with the theme, making ends meet. Of interest to this audience is an article it contains, Young Australian women's aspirations for work and family, by Melissa Johnstone and Christina Lee . (Source: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 'AIFS alert', 19 March 2009; 'Family Matters', n.81, 2009, http://www.aifs.gov.au)

11. FUTURE ISSUES

The future by us: Visions of Australia 2020 and beyond

'The future by us: Visions of Australia 2020 and beyond', edited by Hugh Evans and Tom O'Connor, is a recently released collection of essays on issues affecting Australia. The collection arose from discussions held during the 2020 Youth Summit last year, an event co-chaired by one of the book's editors, Hugh Evans. In his launch speech for the book, Evans comments that his generation "does not have the option to fail, and, as such, does not have the time to engage in recriminations or point-scoring. 'The Future by us' opens a new kind of dialogue about the future of Australia in a post-crisis world" and "is a call for young Australians to take responsibility for our future, now. If we can come together and change our families, our communities, our schools: we can change the nation". One of the country's best bookshops, Readings, in a review of the book, writes that "If you, like me are starting to feel shrivelled up with pessimism and concern then this is a book for you". The summit "brought together the cream of Australia's young leaders to create a vision of the future Australia they will one day lead. In this thoughtful and provocative collection, they present their vision of the innovative, just and compassionate nation Australia could become". Tom O'Connor is now the General Manager of Oaktree Foundation, an international aid organisation which Hugh Evans founded. Hugh Evans was the Young Australian of the Year in 2004 and is the recipient of the Sir John Monash Award and scholarship from the British Council, which has allowed him to read for his Masters of International Relations at Cambridge University. The book is published by Hardie Grant, ISBN:9781740667173. (Source: Hugh Evans' website, http://hughevans.com.au/speeches?id=101, and Readings Bookshop review, http://www.readings.com.au/reviews, viewed 20 March 2009.)

12. MEDIA

Screen Australia Catalogue 2009

Educators will find this resource from Screen Australia useful. It outlines documentary and educational programs, some of which are available with teachers' notes, and showcases recent programs produced under the National Interest Program and Making History Initiative, together with independently produced programs and a selection of material from their rich library archive. Screen Australia is the Australian Government's recently established screen agency and replaces the Australian Film Commission, Film Finance Corporation Australia and Film Australia. For further information, contact Screen Australia, ph: 1800 213 099; or see: http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/learning/ (Source: 'Screen Australia Catalogue 2009'.)

13. MENTAL HEALTH

Young people: The silent victims of the economic crisis

With the release of worrying unemployment data in March 2009, headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, urged employers and families and significant others of young Australians not to let Generation Y become the silent victims of the Global Financial Crisis. headspace is actively encouraging families and significant others of young people to look out for early signs that a young person may be struggling if they are worried about their job or have lost their job. Signs of anxiety include:
* persistent worrying and excessive fears
* inability to relax
* avoidance of feared situations
* excessive shyness
* social isolation or being withdrawn
* difficulty concentrating and paying attention
* poor sleep
* problems with work, social or family life.

headspace is currently investigating the issue of young people's mental health and the current economic crisis. For media enquiries call Karalee Evans 0408174589.

Joint media statement on loss and grief

headspace was one of eight organisations that released a joint media statement in March encouraging people to make use of national helplines and crisis services. "Australia is going through a period of some turmoil, with bushfires, droughts, floods, economic uncertainty and the real prospect of job losses. Times such as these bring a sense of loss to many people: loss of homes, loss of possessions, loss of work, loss of a sense of identity and for some, the loss of loved ones, friends and neighbours. It is normal, at times such as these, for many people to feel a real sense of sadness and grief. Sometimes people feel they shouldn't stop to grieve. Sometimes they feel they shouldn’t grieve, as their loss is much less than that of others. But grieving is normal, and it is also an important part of the recovery process." The six-page document is a very useful source of information, especially for those who counsel others. It was compiled by eight of Australia’s helpline support service providers and peak bodies concerned with mental health and well-being and suicide prevention. See: http://www.lifeline.org.au/learn_more/media_centre/media_releases/2009/on_loss_and_grief

Multicultural mental health training resource to reduce stigma

Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) has launched its new stigma reduction training kit. Stepping out of the shadows is a training package developed for CALD community workers that helps educate people about mental health and reduce stigma. The training kit has been piloted nationally and MMHA is currently collecting expressions of interests from those who wish to be involved in the roll-out of this training package. Contact MMHA, ph: (02) 9840 3333.

National mental health policy

The latest national mental health policy was launched on 5 March 2009. The policy represents "a renewed commitment by all health ministers and ministers with responsibility for mental health to the continual improvement of Australia's mental health system". It aims to ensure that Australia has a mental health system that "detects and intervenes early in illness, promotes recovery, ensures access to services and promotes resilience". The policy adopts a whole-of-government approach to mental health. More at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/Publishing.nsf/Content/mental-pubs-n-pol08 (Source: The Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health, Ausienet noticeboard, http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/noticeboard/ausei90.php, viewed 18 March 2009.)

14. MENTORING

Youth mentoring: A good thing?

This is the title of a report written by Richard Meier and published by the UK's Centre for Policy Studies. The report criticises the wide use of youth mentoring schemes by public bodies in the UK, and contends that mentoring "should be seen as a highly skilled, specific form of intervention and that mentors should be more carefully recruited and trained". The report also "calls for a properly resourced control trial to ascertain precisely who can benefit most from mentoring". The report can be downloaded from the Centre for Policy Studies website: http://www.cps.org.uk (Source: 'The Edge', n.23, autumn 2008, p.3.)

15. PARTICIPATION

Young Social Pioneers

The Foundation for Young Australians is launching the Young Social Pioneers initiative in Australia in April 2009. This global initiative, run by the International Youth Foundation, "aims to strengthen, support and celebrate the role of young people in creating positive change in their communities". In 2009, 10 to 15 young Australian leaders will be given a place in a one-year program, during which they will be mentored by a panel of experts who will equip them with the knowledge and skills to be more effective leaders. For further information, email FYA's Rhondah Whitaker: rhondah.whitaker@fya.org.au ; or phone the FYA: (03) 9670 5436 (Source: 'Foundation for Young Australians Newsletter', n.2, summer 2009, p.2.)

16. RESEARCHERS ASK ...

Does ethnicity and culture affect health and wellbeing?

Researchers at Deakin University, Melbourne are investigating the impact ethnic identity and acculturation has on the health and wellbeing of young people in Australia. The researchers are looking for adolescent Australians aged between 12 and 18 years to complete a questionnaire which includes measures of self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, risky behaviours, ethnic identity and acculturation. See: http://www.deakin.edu.au/psychology/research/ethnicidentity

Parental support for young people with mental illness?

Researchers at the University of Sydney are investigating how parents can best help and support young people with mental illness. They are looking for young people aged 15-24 years who have been diagnosed with a mental illness in the last two years and one or both of their parents to participate in interviews. The interviews will be conducted separately and confidentially at a time and place convenient to participants. The researchers are looking for opportunities to tell young people and/or parents about the project. Contact Dr Anne Honey on (02) 9351 9370 or a.honey@usyd.edu.au if you would like to find out more about the project or would be willing to allow a researcher to present information about the project to your group or network.

Are you a psychologist?

Have you ever felt challenged by confidentiality issues with young people? Dr Rony Duncan, as part of her Honours Degree in Psychology at Swinburne University, is seeking Australian psychologists who work (or have worked) with teenagers to complete a short (15 minute) anonymous online survey concerning ethical dilemmas about confidentiality with adolescent clients. Psychologists are often faced with ethical dilemmas about whether to break confidentiality with adolescent clients and inform parents about risk-taking behaviour. This survey, which replicates a survey already conducted in the USA, seeks to examine the beliefs of Australian psychologists about when it is ethical to break confidentiality with young people and what factors mediate these decisions. "There are no right or wrong answers, we are simply interested in your opinions so that we can compare Australian and American practices, and make appropriate recommendations for professional support." This survey has received ethics approval from Swinburne University's Human Research Ethics Committee and also from the Royal Children's Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee. If this survey interests you, please go to the following website: http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=5082 or contact: Dr Rony Duncan, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology and Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, email: rony.duncan@mcri.edu.au

17. SOCIAL POLICY

Averting the social impact of the global financial crisis

'Averting the social impact of the global financial crisis: Recommendations of Anglicare Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, UnitingCare Australia and the Salvation Army', is a report released in January 2009 and available at: http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/SALV/STANDARD/pc=PC_61039

Australian Social Policy Conference: Call for papers

The next in this series of conferences takes place on 8-10 July 2009. The Social Policy Research Centre invites offers of papers from of papers from researchers, teachers, students and practitioners of social policy. Refereed paper submission is closed; the deadline for the submission of abstract proposals is 9 April 2009. Early bird registration closes on 1 June 2009. Ph: (02) 9385 7802 or visit http://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/ASPC2009/index.htm

18. TECHNOLOGY

Youth work and social networking

This is the title of a report by the UK's National Youth Agency that was released in September 2008. This report, based on a literature review, a national online survey of youth workers and action research conducted with three youth services, examines how youth workers can play a role in supporting young people to develop media literacy skills associated with the safe and beneficial use of social networking sites. The report is online at: http://blogs.nya.org.uk/ywsn/final-report.html (Source: 'The Edge', n.23, autumn 2008, p.2.)

19. VIOLENCE

Violence in public places: Explanations and solutions

'Violence in public places: Explanations and solutions', is a report released by Australia 21 in December 2008, compiled by Richard Eckersley and Lynne Reeder. It is the result of the Victoria Police commissioning the non-profit company Australia21 to conduct a roundtable and prepare a report on the issue of violence in public places, a growing problem in Victoria and Australia as a whole. The roundtable, conducted in early October 2008, attracted participants from a range of relevant scientific disciplines and Victorian government departments and agencies with responsibility for policy development and implementation. Some participants focused on more immediate, direct interventions to address public violence, while others emphasised the need for a broader, social-development perspective, but the report's authors commented most, if not all, participants agreed on the need for a multi-dimensional strategy spanning timeframes, social scales and government jurisdictions. The report outlines the problem of violence in public places, provides explanations about its causes (including factors relating to young people's biological and social development), and proposes a range of solutions to the problem. The report can be downloaded from the Australia21 website: http://www.australia21.org.au/whats_new.htm (Source: Eckersley, R. and Reeder, L. 2008, 'Violence in public places: Explanations and solutions', Australia21, Weston, ACT.)

20. YOUTH AFFAIRS NEWS

National Youth Week 2009 is happening from 28 March to 5 April 2009.

Find out what is happening nationally and in your area at: http://www.youthweek.com/ The theme is Make A Move, and the page with all state and territory NYW contact details is at: http://www.youthweek.com/contact.html
Youth Week in Queensland coincides with that state's Ideas Festival. It all starts at the State Library Gallery on 11am, Saturday 28 March when young people will highlight exciting new ways to make a difference through volunteering. Go to http://www.youth.qld.gov.au for more information. (YFX regrets it does not have space to highlight every state's main events.)

Australian Regional Youth Caucus Representative

The federal government's Office for Youth recently sent out a call for applications from interested young people aged between 18-25 years to become the Australian representative to the Pacific Regional Youth Caucus of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. The Commonwealth Youth Programme is an international development agency that aims to give young people aged 15-29 the skills they need to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. The CYP's Pacific Regional Youth Caucus engages in advocacy work for a youth development agenda in the Pacific region, as well as attending and contributing to Commonwealth meetings. The deadline for applications to be the Australian representative is 27 March, and the application forms (WORD or PDF format) can be downloaded from the Office for Youth website at: http://www.youth.gov.au/ (Source: Office for Youth website, viewed 20 March 2009.)

Giving South Pacific youth a voice

In the World Bank report 'Giving South Pacific youth a voice', young people throughout six Pacific nations air their opinions and concerns on social, cultural and political issues. The very real prospect of being marginalised by their community ranks at the top of a list of fears many youth across the region are experiencing. See: http://tinyurl.com/cg3oap (Source: Innovations in Civic Participation's newsletter, 'Service News Worldwide', 3 March 2009.)

Formula Y: A youth council development guide

This guide has been developed for elected members, youth development officers, community development officers and other local government officers in Queensland who have an interest and responsibility in developing youth participation strategies and initiatives in local communities. The aim of the resource is to provide a practical framework in developing, delivering and evaluating a youth council or similar youth engagement mechanism. It has been drawn together from the knowledge, skills and experience of workers and researchers in the field of community and youth engagement. Like most youth engagement practices, the principles, tools and frameworks are transferable and may be useful to support young people's participation in other forums, programs and activities that you may implement for council and the community. The Local Government Association of Queensland, who developed Formula Y, say they are committed to ensuring that the guide is available and accessible to councils, communities and young people. The resource is available via the link, http://tinyurl.com/ct8hny or via the resource section of LGOnline at http://www.lgaq.asn.au Alternatively, contact LGAQ Youth Policy Project Officer, Rachael Uhr on phone (07) 3000 2238 or email rachael_uhr@lgaq.asn.au

Youth policy forums at the RMIT in Melbourne

Two forums are coming up at the RMIT in Melbourne, organised as part of that university's youth work training courses. The forums are:
1. 27 March: 'At Risk' young people: Can risk based practice, theory and politics lead to good outcomes for young people? A free forum for professionals involved in delivering services to young people at risk and developing youth policy.
2. 17 April: Can our new national youth policy agenda secure the wellbeing of young Australians? A free forum exploring the Rudd Governments' new youth policy agenda.
Both events will be held at the RMIT City Campus. For details of the time and venue, and to confirm attendance, contact RMIT via email: youthworkrmit@gmail.com

UK youth policy update

'Electronic Youth Policy Update' (eYPU) is a newsletter issued by the National Youth Agency in the UK. The latest issue (eYPU Issue 246, 18 March 2009) includes an article about the UK government's response to a consultation about youth sector support arrangements, which reads in part: "The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has published its response to a consultation on youth sector support arrangements. The response includes plans to improve support to the youth sector, through new delivery arrangements and specific actions plans which focus on the five specific areas identified through the consultation: quality of practice; workforce; commissioning; empowering young people; and matching third sector and statutory organisations to corporate sponsors and supporters, together with an overarching strategy for the delivery of youth sector support. During 2009 the DCSF will run a competitive tender exercise to establish a number of framework agreements that the DCSF and other government departments will be able to use to commission work. Each framework agreement will be for a broad area of youth sector support. Contracts for specific work will be awarded following a mini-competition among those organisations which have a framework agreement with the department. The response also provides information about new developments to help improve support to the youth sector, including the Youth Task Force, the Children's Trust Commissioning Support Programme, the youth workforce reform programme and the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in children's and young people's services." (Source: National Youth Agency (UK), 'Electronic Youth Policy Update', March 2009, http://www.nya.org.uk/information/100320/108998/135248/18march09/)

Northern Territory youth news

The Northern Territory Youth Affairs Network is no longer active. Contact the Human Services Training Advisory Council, Darwin, email: hstac@hstac.com.au, http://www.hstac.com.au

21. INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

New UK centre to support children and youth services

In this edition of YFX, our international focus is on the United Kingdom, where the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO) was launched in mid 2008. This centre, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, was created to support the children and young people's sector by identifying good practice in children and young people's services, thereby helping the sector to achieve the outcomes of the UK Government's Every Child Matters policy. For further information about C4EO, visit: http://www.C4EO.org.uk (Source: 'The Edge', n.22, summer 2008, p.1.)

'Think research' in the UK

The UK Cabinet Office's Social Exclusion Task Force has published a web-based document called 'Think research', which gives commissioners and providers of services for vulnerable people guidance on using research evidence during the commissioning process. The document outlines how to find and evaluate relevant research, and how to use research evidence to help establish and monitor a service. It also contains a glossary of research terms and useful links. 'Think research' can be viewed at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion_task_force/think_research.aspx (Source: 'The Edge', n.22, summer 2008, p.3.)

Youth work qualifications in the UK

The UK-based Network of Regional Youth Work Units has produced a document called 'Good practice guidelines in delivering youth support worker qualifications', which will assist organisations that commission and deliver qualifications for youth support workers across England. South West Regional Youth Work's Gill Millar, who co-authored the document, said that she hoped that it would be useful to youth work employers and to training providers in establishing "good quality routes to qualification". This document can be downloaded from the Regional Youth Work Unit section of the Learning South West website: http://www.learning-southwest.org.uk (Source: 'The Edge', n.22, summer 2008, p.3.)

UK surveys indicate young people's desire to socialise

Two government surveys conducted in the UK last year highlight how much young people value socialising with friends and taking part in out-of-school activities.

The survey 'Taking part - England's survey of culture, leisure and sport' found that the majority of 11- to 15-year olds (37.9 per cent) said that the activity they most enjoyed was socialising, while 22.9 per cent said that they most enjoyed sports activities.
The Teen Talk survey found that 90 per cent of 16- to 19-year-olds surveyed spent most of their time at home or with friends because there was a lack of other opportunities where they lived. Just under three-quarters of those surveyed (72 per cent) said that they would like to see more opportunities to participate in activities such as sports, arts or volunteering in their local area.

Jon Boagey, director of communications at the UK's National Youth Agency, said that these survey findings "emphasise to providers of youth services how vital a role they play when they provide safe environments for socialising and taking part in enjoyable activities". The survey can be viewed at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/research_and_statistics/4828.aspx (Source: 'The Edge', n.23, autumn 2008, p.1.)

22. UNITED NATIONS NEWS

Measuring youth development: The way forward: Side-event at the 47th Session of the Commission for Social Development, 5 February 2009

This forum, co-hosted by the United Nations Programme on Youth (UNPY) and the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), during the Commission for Social Development at the United Nations addressed the questions, How do we assess the socioeconomic development and inclusion of youth? How can we work together to ensure efficient assessment of these elements? Current international-level approaches to gauging the social situation of youth, as well as the way forward in the further development and implementation of evaluation tools and approaches, were discussed. More detail is given in 'UN Youth Flash, v.6, n.2, February 2009, http://www.un.org/youth

UNESCO: Best practices in youth policies and programs

This inter-agency, inter-organisation project is being organised by several international agencies. It aims to recognise, share and publish successful practices in youth policies and programs in eight themes: education; employment; sexual and reproductive health; prevention of youth violence; poverty reduction; voluntary work; youth participation and leadership and; integral youth development. The project will be implemented in three stages:
* a regional call for proposals in order to identify and select good practices (March-April 2009);
* a regional meeting to give recognition to and analyse practices and trends; and to stimulate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among relevant actors (September 2009), and
* the publication of a book and a technical guide on the eight themes. More information from Berenice Alcalde, b.alcalde@unesco.org

WHO/UNFPA: Review of adolescent mental health in resource-poor settings

A review has been undertaken to capture recent research and empirical evidence on the critical mental health issues affecting adolescents in the most resource-constrained countries. The review was conducted by WHO's Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development, in collaboration with the UNFPA Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse and the University of Melbourne. Special focus is on the evidence for interventions that can be delivered at primary health care levels by non-specialist providers and within families and communities. The draft document was reviewed and critiqued by a small group of experts and a number of recommendations were made for refining the findings. The review will appear as a supplement to the peer-reviewed 'Journal of Social Psychiatry' in due course. More at: http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health

WHO/UNICEF: Meeting on the rights of the girl child and adolescent girls

WHO's Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development participated in a meeting of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women on 26 January 2009. The meeting was set up by UNICEF to foster collaboration between the committees and strengthen collaboration with WHO and focused on the girl-child and adolescent girls, and identified themes to focus discussions. More at: http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health