Part 2: Items 11 to 32
(Environment to Youth work training)
11. ENVIRONMENT
PISA report: 'Green at fifteen?'
This Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report draws on the 2006 OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study conducted across OECD countries. 'Green at 15?' describes the origins of students' awareness about environmental issues, their attitudes towards the environment, and how their attitudes correlate with their academic performance in the environmental sciences. The PDF can be downloaded from the OECD website via http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/52/12/42467312.pdf (Source: Australian Policy Online, http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=271910, viewed 3 April 2009.)
12. ETHNIC AND MULTICULTURAL ISSUES
'African Australians: A report on human rights and social inclusion issues'
National Race Discrimination Commissioner Tom Calma, and immediate past Chair of the Federation of African Communities Council Abeselom Nega, launched a discussion paper in March as part of a project that is expected to yield the first-ever national picture of important human rights issues for African Australians. The report, 'African Australians: A report on human rights and social inclusion issues', aims to identify the major issues that are faced by African Australians, and marks the start of work to build a national picture of their experiences in the areas of employment and training, education, health, housing and justice. The project was funded by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Multicultural Education Services in Victoria, Australian Red Cross, Diversity Health Institute, and the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. (Source: Australian Human Rights Commission, http://www.hreoc.gov.au/partnerships/projects/african_australian.html)
13. HEALTH
A new youth health policy for NSW
Information regarding the development of a new youth health policy for NSW is available from the NSW Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health (NSW CAAH). In addition, a literature review titled, 'Increasing the resilience of young people at risk', jointly published by NSW CAAH and the Centre for Clinical Governance Research UNSW, is on the NSW CAAH website at: http://www.caah.chw.edu.au/policy/policy.htm (Source: AYIN e-list, posting by Fiona Robards, Coordinator, NSW CAAH, 20 April 2009.)
Adolescent and Young People's Health Research Forum
The second Adolescent and Young People's Health Research Forum is taking place on 7 September 2009 at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney. Its theme is research and practice innovation. The organising committee, in conjunction with the Family and Community Health Research Group, University of Western Sydney, are hosting the event. For more details, contact: Ken Yap, Youth Health Forum Coordinator, NSW Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health, ph: (02) 9845 0631; fax: (02) 9845 2517; email: wuiy@chw.edu.au (Source: AYIN e-list, 25 March 2009.)
14. HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
Responses to the Australian Government's White Paper on homelessness
In the March 2009 edition of its newsletter, 'rights review', the Welfare Rights Centre published its reflections on the Australian Government's White Paper on homelessness, 'The road home: A national approach to reducing homelessness'. While acknowledging that the White Paper was "a positive first step in a coordinated attempt to deal with homelessness", the Welfare Rights Centre highlighted a number of concerns over some of the paper's proposals, including its emphasis on reconciliation between young people and their families as a means of reducing youth homelessness. They noted that in some cases "reconciliation can be unsafe, and a young person may avoid seeking Centrelink assistance if it is perceived that [Centrelink] will try to facilitate unwanted reconciliation".
Meanwhile, the Youth Accommodation Association (YAA) has produced a briefing paper summarising findings from the White Paper, and has been conducting consultations across NSW to provide input into that state's White Paper implementation plan. A paper summarising findings from these consultations will be produced shortly. The YAA's resources relating to the White Paper are available from their website: http://www.yaa.com.au/White_Paper/White_Paper_Info.aspx
(Source: 'rights review', v.27, n.1, March 2009, p.5; 'YAPRap', v.19, n.2, 2009, p.6.)
Meanwhile, the Youth Accommodation Association (YAA) has produced a briefing paper summarising findings from the White Paper, and has been conducting consultations across NSW to provide input into that state's White Paper implementation plan. A paper summarising findings from these consultations will be produced shortly. The YAA's resources relating to the White Paper are available from their website: http://www.yaa.com.au/White_Paper/White_Paper_Info.aspx
(Source: 'rights review', v.27, n.1, March 2009, p.5; 'YAPRap', v.19, n.2, 2009, p.6.)
The road home for young people: Youth homelessness and 'safe sleeping'
This is the title of a paper by Sharyn Goudie and Leanne Cornell-March (Service to Youth Council Inc.) that was published in the February 2009 edition of 'Parity' magazine. This edition contained papers written in response to the Australian Government's White Paper on homelessness. In their paper, Goudie and Cornell-March congratulate the Australian Government on delivering the White Paper and on the "bold goals and actions it is taking to address homelessness in Australia". However, they also raise the concern that the government's goal to "offer accommodation to all rough sleepers who need it" may not be effective in reducing homelessness among young people because of the nature of youth homelessness. The authors believe that young people "are more likely to 'sleep unsafely' rather than be rough sleepers" and that interventions aimed at reducing youth homelessness should "set targets for 'safe sleeping' " and "provide support which assists [young people] to become independent and reduce the chances of them becoming rough sleepers in the future". (Source: 'Parity', v.22, n.1, 2009, pp.27-28.)
15. INDIGENOUS YOUTH
New resources from SNAICC
The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) has developed a number of new resources of interest to those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and their families:
* 'You're a dad - seven storylines about being a dad'
This calendar-style series of mini-posters presents seven storylines about fatherhood told through photos and personal stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers. This beautiful resource is designed for use by a range of services, including maternity/paternity services, parenting programs, men's groups, early childhood, youth and health services, and jail and offender programs.
* 'Connecting communities - The national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's services directory 2009'
'Connecting communities' contains contact details for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family and children's services, health and legal services, government departments, peak bodies and resources agencies across the country. It is available in print or online: http://services.snaicc.asn.au/
* 'Through young black eyes workshop kit'
This kit is designed to help organisations run workshops to prevent family violence, child abuse and neglect, and to develop child-safe communities. It contains many practical ideas to help organisations run workshops, share stories and take local actions to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children be safe and happy.
For information on the cost and availability of each of these resources, contact the SNAICC, ph: (03) 9489 8099; email: snaicc@vicnet.net.au; website: http://www.snaicc.asn.au (Source: SNAICC Resource Service letter, March 2009.)
For information on the cost and availability of each of these resources, contact the SNAICC, ph: (03) 9489 8099; email: snaicc@vicnet.net.au; website: http://www.snaicc.asn.au (Source: SNAICC Resource Service letter, March 2009.)
Indigenous research at the SPRC
As reported in the February 2009 edition of YFX, the Social Policy Research Centre (University of New South Wales) has adopted an Indigenous Research Strategy: "a series of protocols which guide the centre's research involving Indigenous people and communities, as well as its overall values, culture, policy and operations". In a piece published in the February 2009 edition of 'SPRC Newsletter', SPRC research associate Saul Flaxman outlines the four broad components of the Indigenous Research Strategy, noting that "genuine, respectful engagement and involvement of Indigenous stakeholders" is a central concern. Flaxman also outlines the SPRC's past involvement in Indigenous research and its plans for the future. The SPRC's Indigenous Research Strategy can be downloaded from their website: http://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/reports/2008/SPRC_Indigenous_research_strategy.pdf (Source: 'SPRC Newsletter', n.101, 2009, p.9.)
Towards a gender-related index for Indigenous Australians
This report, by Mandy Yap and Nicholas Biddle of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at the Australian National University, fills the gap in research on the discrepancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous outcomes in terms of gender. The PDF report is at http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/WP/CAEPRWP52.pdf, or http://tr.im/j1jC (PDF) (SOURCE: Australian Policy Online, http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=271699, viewed 3 April 2009.)
16. INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
New Zealand appoints an interim Children's Commissioner
The New Zealand Government has appointed child care and protection expert John Angus as Children's Commissioner for six months while a permanent appointment is sought. More at: http://tr.im/j18x (Source: Scoop.co.nz, 17 April 2009.)
Girls do better without boys, study finds
An article in 'The Guardian' on 18 March 2009 describes research which found that girls who are struggling academically at the start of secondary school benefit the most from girls-only schooling. The research, conducted on behalf of the Good Schools Guide, is described at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/mar/18/secondary-schools-girls-gcse-results or http://tr.im/jcLE, viewed 20 April 2009.)
Poor career guidance leads to fewer starting apprenticeships
A report by the Skills Commission in the UK claims that too few young people in England are starting apprenticeships, partly because of poor careers guidance. The report recommends that, as the main source of careers guidance, teachers need to be better trained in this area. (Source: BBC news, 18 March 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7948271.stm, cited by the National Youth Agency (UK), http://www.nya.org.uk, viewed 20 April 2009.)
17. MENTAL HEALTH
SANE website offers mental health podcasts
The SANE Australia website now offers audio podcasts to complement their most requested factsheets on mental illness and treatments. Barbara Hocking, executive director of SANE Australia, says that the podcasts are "an accessible and convenient option, particularly for people dealing with the turmoil of a new diagnosis who prefer to learn by listening rather than reading". The podcasts can be streamed via the website, downloaded as MP3 files, or via subscription from the iTunes Store. To access SANE Australia's factsheets and podcasts, visit: http://www.sane.org/information/information/factsheets_%2b_podcasts.html (Source: 'SANE News', n.48, 2008, p.3.)
Families and mental illness DVD kit
SANE Australia now offers a 'Families and mental illness' DVD kit as part of its suite of resources to assist the families and friends of those affected by mental illness. The DVD, produced in association with RealTime Health, features people talking about their experiences of caring for someone with a mental illness. The kit also includes the 'SANE guide for families', a print resource containing practical information on caring for someone with mental illness and on helping carers to deal with their own reactions to mental illness. Clips from the DVD can be viewed at the Video Showroom page of the SANE Australia website (listed on the 'Information' drop-down menu), while the suite of resources for families can be viewed on the 'Bookshop' page. SANE website: http://www.sane.org (Source: 'SANE News', n.48, 2008, pp.4-6.)
Research collaboration embraces role of technology
Inspire Foundation has secured funding (from the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, ARC/NHMRC Research Network) for research into the role technology can play in promoting positive mental health among marginalised young people. The funding will allow Inspire to plan for future research into how best to meet the needs of those young people aged 12 to 25 who might face marginalisation due to disability, learning difficulties or chronic illness or due to their being a young carer. Inspire's Dr Jane Burns and Michelle Blanchard are respectively leading and managing this cross-sector collaboration, and with Inspire's Pip Collin and Marianne Webb they will work with 20 organisations and individuals on the multi-disciplinary team of researchers, practitioners and young people working on the initiative. For details, see http://www.inspire.org.au/news/inspire-to-head-up-research-project.html or contact Michelle Blanchard, Research Project Manager at the Inspire Foundation, email: michelle@inspire.org (Source: AUSEINET notice board, http://auseinet.com/noticeboard/ausei90.php#13534, viewed 20 April 2009.)
Multicultural mental health and reducing stigma
A training kit, titled 'Stepping out of the shadows' has been launched by the Multicultural Mental Health Association to help CALD community workers to educate their communities about mental health and help reduce stigma about mental illness. MMHA has already piloted the training kit nationally and is currently collecting expressions of interests from those around the country who wish to gain training in its use. For information, phone MMHA, (02) 9840 3333. (Source: AUSEINET notice board, http://auseinet.com/noticeboard/ausei90.php#1353, viewed 20 April 2009.)
18. PARTICIPATION
Young people: Enrol to vote
During National Youth Week, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) encouraged all eligible young Australians to enrol to vote and to ensure that they are enrolled at their current address. Youth Week is over, but the ongoing issue of encouraging young people to keep their enrolment details up-to-date continues. Forms are available from the AEC website (http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Update_enrolment.htm) or any AEC, Australia Post, Medicare or Centrelink office.
19. RESEARCH
Investigating young people's experiences of economic disadvantage
The Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales is leading a study investigating young people's experiences of economic disadvantage and social exclusion. The study, titled 'Making a difference: Building on children's perspectives on economic adversity', will include the analysis of interviews with around 90 young people aged 11 to 17 years (as well as parents, teachers and service providers). It aims to identify the social, educational and other services that make a difference to young people in these circumstances. Researchers from the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Mission Australia are also involved in the study, which is funded by a three-year Australian Research Council Linkage Grant. (Source: 'Brotherhood Comment', November 2008, p.16.)
New youth-related data from the ABS
In recent months, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has released a number of new publications containing statistical data on young Australians. These include:
- 'Australian demographic statistics, September 2008' (cat. no. 3101.0), and 'Population by age and sex, Australian states and territories, June 2008' (cat. no. 3201.0), which both give population estimates by age, state and sex.
- 'A picture of the nation: The Statistician's report on the 2006 Census' (cat. no. 2070.0), which gives an overview of data contained in the 2006 Census and contains youth-related information in chapters on population, cultural diversity, living arrangements, community and education.
- 'Job search experience, Australia, July 2008' (cat. no. 6222.0), which "provides estimates of unemployed persons classified by difficulties in finding work, duration of current period of unemployment, active steps taken to find work, whether looking for full-time or part-time work, educational attainment, and number of spells of looking for work in the previous 12 months". This release includes data on young people aged 15 to 24.
- 'Persons not in the labour force, Australia, September 2008' (cat. no. 6220.0), which lists (by age, sex and state) persons aged 15 years and over who are not in the labour force and "includes details about whether people not in the labour force wanted to work, reasons why they were not actively looking for work, or were not available for work, and their main activity while not in the labour force".
- 'Australian social trends, March 2009' (cat. no. 4102.0), which includes sections on future trends in Australia's population, couples in Australia, mental health and trends in household work.
For these and other new statistical releases from the ABS, visit their website: http://www.abs.gov.au (Source: 'ABS Children and Youth News', November 2008, viewed 2 April 2009, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4105.0/ )
20. SOCIAL INCLUSION
Social inclusion of the hard to reach: A resource for local councils
This report, by Nicola Brackertz and Denise Meredyth, is intended as a resource for local councils, and arises from the project, Community Consultation and the Hard to Reach: Local Government, Social Profiling and Civic Infrastructure. The three-year 'Hard to Reach' project is a collaborative research venture involving eight Victorian local councils, the Victorian Local Governance Association and researchers from Swinburne University of Technology. The project is jointly funded by the Australian Research Council and partner organisations, and this report aims to be a practical resource for local councils that want to involve their communities more widely in planning and decision-making. "The focus is on how to broaden the range of people represented in council processes" and to include those normally reluctant to participate (the "hard to reach"). The report presents the project's findings in an accessible format that will help councils to make their consultation processes more inclusive. There are examples of good practice, as well as tips on the "traps to look out for", drawn from the case studies that were conducted for the Hard to Reach project. The examples illustrate key findings from the research in a simplified way. For those who want more detail, the individual case study reports from the project are included in an appendix. The report can be downloaded from: http://tr.im/j1gd (links to the PDF at http://www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/)
21. SEXUALITY
New sexual ethics education program for young people
Associate Professor Moira Carmody, of the Social Justice and Social Change Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney, has produced an education program to help young people aged 16 to 25 years "increase their knowledge and skills in ethical intimacy and reduce unwanted, coerced or pressured sex". The 'Sex and ethics' books and six-week education program are based on Assoc. Prof. Carmody's four-year study of sexual intimacy among young people in this age group. The education program covers issues such as sexual ethics, pressures to be sexual, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, alcohol and its impact on ethical negotiation, ethical consent and ethical bystander skills. The books 'Sex and ethics: Young people and ethical sex' and 'Sex and ethics: The sexual ethics education program for young people' can be purchased individually or as a pack. Contact publishers Palgrave Macmillan for further details, ph: 1300 135 113 (free call); email: customer.service@Macmillan.com.au (Source: 'YAPRap', v.19, n.2, 2009, p.7.)
22. TECHNOLOGY
Mobile phone use and the risk of brain cancer
Monash University medical researcher Professor Malcolm Sim is involved a new international study investigating the possible link between mobile phone use and the risk of brain cancer in young people aged 10 to 24. The five-year study is one of the first to examine the issue of mobile phone use and brain cancer risks among this age group. (Source: 'Education Review', March 2009, p.21.)
Emerging technologies and the education and training sector
The Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has engaged the services of education and training technology agency Education.au to "investigate the current and future impacts of emerging technologies in the education and training sector, and to provide strategic advice to policymakers on the implementation of those technologies". Through their Strategic ICT Advisory Service (SICTAS), Education.au will provide an investigative research program, a think tank and an annual report on emerging technologies. For further information, visit the Education.au website: http://www.educationau.edu.au (Source: '3C', newsletter of Education.au, v.3, n.3, 2008, p.2.)
Crikey: The digital divide has reopened
"This is the modern version of educational inequality, which has always reflected both parental income and their perceptions of the value of education." So write Patricia and Don Edgar, in a recent 'Crikey' article on new digital technologies and how their ubiquitous use is holding back disadvantaged children. The Edgars posit the view that the digital divide is exacerbating inequalities in access to good schooling and other children's services, that parents are being pulled in two ways by the new technology, fearing both the negative impact that technology brings as well as the disadvantage that not having it brings. More at: http://www.crikey.com.au/Media-Arts-and-Sports/20090209-The-digital-divide.html
Mobile Me - Kids speak out about mobile phones
This is an Australian Research Council research report undertaken by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People, the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney. The report is part of an ongoing series called 'Ask the children' at the NSW Commission for Children and Young People, a series that canvases young people's views about issues affecting their lives. The 'Mobile Me' researchers spoke with more than 1,500 children and young people in NSW in Years 6 and 9 to find out how mobile phones fit into their lives. They found that mobile phones play a big part in young people's lives. Most of the 11- to 15-year-olds surveyed had their own mobile phone, and ownership at a younger age was increasing. Rather than being "a convenience for worried parents" or a tool that teenagers use "to deceive or manipulate their parents", the technology appeared to help people cope with life, and to "maintain stronger relationships across greater distances ... [and] negotiate ethical and socially responsible behaviours". The young people surveyed also aired their own concerns with the cost of buying credit and paying bills, and with the issue of pranks and practical jokes. (Source, email, Colette McGrath, NSW Commission for Children and Young People, 'The "hidden" world of kids and mobile phones', media release, 6 April 2009; http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au)
23. UNITED NATIONS NEWS
Australia's Youth Representative to the United Nations
In April 2009, Minister Kate Ellis announced that Christopher Varney will be Australia's new Youth Representative to the United Nations. Before going to New York with the 2009 Australian Delegation to the United Nations, the youth representative will embark on wide consultation with young Australians through the Australian Youth Forum. Since 1999, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Youth Association of Australia (UNYA) have partnered to select the youth representative each year and provide support for the position. Before his appointment, Mr Varney worked with World Vision International. His new position involves consulting with young Australians about issues important to them, undertaking a range of duties at Australia's mission to the UN, including participating in youth representative activities and, upon returning to Australia, reporting back on the outcomes of their experience. (Adapted from a media release, Education, Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio, Ministers Media centre, 'Australia's youth get a voice on the world stage', media release, http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_090406_110040.aspx, 6 April, 2009.)
24. WELFARE
'Taking chances: The effect of growing up on welfare on the risky behaviour of young people'
In this discussion paper, Deborah Cobb-Clark, Chris Ryan and Ana Sartbayeva of the Australian National University analyse the effect that growing up on welfare might have on young people's involvement in a variety of social and health risks. Data for the research came from the Youth in Focus project, which is jointly funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Australian Research Council, and carried out by the Australian National University. In their abstract on p.2 of this 42-page report, the researchers say that young people in welfare families "are much more likely to take both social and health risks. Much of the apparent link between family welfare history and risk taking disappears, however, once we account for family structure and mothers’ decisions regarding their own risk taking and investment in their children. Interestingly, we find no significant effect of socio-economic status per se. Overall, we find no evidence that growing up on welfare causes young people to engage in risky behaviour". They conclude that their research results show that it is "clear that financial resources are not a panacea to the problems associated with youth risk taking". They also conclude that parental behaviour and decisions affect how young people make decisions to take risks with their own health and safety: "This suggests that encouraging parents to adopt healthier lifestyles and [to] become more effective parents may have positive consequences for their children as well." (Source: 'Taking chances: The effect of growing up on welfare on the risky behaviour of young people', The Australian National University Centre for Economic Policy Research discussion paper n. 604, March 2009, http://cepr.anu.edu.au/pdf/DP604.pdf)
WRC welcomes Bradley Review recommendations
The Welfare Rights Centre (WRC) has called on the Australian Government to "undertake a comprehensive review of the income support system for students and young people" in light of findings from the government's recent review of the Australian higher education sector (the 'Bradley Review'). The WRC says that the Bradley Review found that the current student income support scheme failed to achieve its objective of enhancing educational outcomes for young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, also noting that the review was "critical of the lack of any review of the student income support program since its introduction in its current form in 1998". Among the Welfare Rights Centre's own recommendations for changes to the current student income support system are increasing the Youth Allowance rate to match the Newstart Allowance rate and lowering the current age of independence for Youth Allowance to 22 years. The WRC has proclaimed the Bradley Review as "good news for all who have worked tirelessly to highlight the inadequacies of income support arrangements for students and young people". (Source: 'rights review', v.27, n.1, 2009, p.7.)
25. YOUTH AFFAIRS
Australian Youth Forum: Have a say on global poverty
The Australian Youth Forum (AYF) has a new discussion topic: global poverty. Feedback received by the AYF indicated an interest in global poverty and the Millennium Development Goals. Feedback on earlier discussion topics (violence and safety, contributing to democracy, and human rights) is currently being looked at by the Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis. Her feedback and analysis will be made available through the AYF website at http://www.youth.gov.au/ayf. Ideas for future discussion topics can be contributed through the AYF forums at: http://www.youth.gov.au/ayf/Ideas/ContactUs.aspx The happenings at the recent youTHINK event are on the AYF website at: http://www.youth.gov.au/ayf (Adapted from emails to the AYIN e-list.)
Australian Youth Forum: Ministerial feedback on AYF topics, bullying, and body image
Australia's Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, has considered people's input on the Australian Youth Forum's ideas board topics of bullying and on body image. The topics ran from 2 October to 13 December and 16 January 2008, respectively, and her feedback is at: http://www.youth.gov.au/ayf/pages/response.htm or http://tr.im/iS7h
Queensland news
Queensland's first Indigenous Youth Parliament : Applications to participate close on Monday 27 April 2009. The organisers want to hear from young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders aged 18 to 25, who are interested in sharing their opinions and debating with other young Indigenous people. For more information, call 1300 55 59 54; email: yilf@communities.qld.gov.au; or see: http://www.communities.qld.gov.au
Queensland Young Indigenous Leaders Forum: Applications close Monday 27 April for this forum, which is being held in Brisbane from 24 to 27 May 2009. The forum is part of the Queensland Government's reconciliation action plan that aims to recognise and provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from across the state. Young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Queenslander youth aged 18 to 25 who want to work towards positive outcomes through this forum should contact Cristilee Louttit, Young Indigenous Leaders Forum Coordinator, Office for Youth, Department of Communities, ph: (07) 3008 8636; fax: (07) 3008 8649, email: cristilee.louttit@communities.qld.gov.au
Queensland Young Indigenous Leaders Forum: Applications close Monday 27 April for this forum, which is being held in Brisbane from 24 to 27 May 2009. The forum is part of the Queensland Government's reconciliation action plan that aims to recognise and provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from across the state. Young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Queenslander youth aged 18 to 25 who want to work towards positive outcomes through this forum should contact Cristilee Louttit, Young Indigenous Leaders Forum Coordinator, Office for Youth, Department of Communities, ph: (07) 3008 8636; fax: (07) 3008 8649, email: cristilee.louttit@communities.qld.gov.au
26. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, SERVICE
Rising Generations: 7th Australian National Leadership Camp
The Australian National Leadership Camp is a leadership training program for young Australians. Its organiser, Rising Generations, is a not-for-profit organisation established to "equip individuals with dynamic leadership capabilities". Each year, the camp brings together up to 200 school students and members of youth organisations aged 14 to 18 to learn about leadership and service. This year's camp is being held at Collaroy Beach in NSW. Registrations close on Friday 26 June 2009. For an information pack and registration materials, visit http://www.risinggenerations.org.au (Source: Youth Coalition of the ACT, 'ACT E-bulletin', 6 April 2009.)
Youth service in USA
Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP) recently reported on the passing of the Serve America Act by the US Congress (the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act reauthorises and strengthens the programs of the US Corporation for National and Community Service and provides funding for new innovative programs, including Summer of Service. AmeriCorps is expected to grow from its current level of 75,000 to 250,000 members per year, and programs that address educational, health, and environmental needs and create service opportunities for veterans will be expanded. The expansion of AmeriCorps includes a Clean Energy Corps, a program that was supported by a broad coalition of energy conservation, youth service, and environmental justice organisations, including ICP. ICP also reports that, following the November 2008 Global Conference on National Youth Service held in France, web-based resources for the International Association for National Youth Service have been created on the ICP website, which includes profiles on youth service in countries around the world. See: http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/4918/pid/4918 or http://tr.im/j1ul (Source: Innovations in Civic Participation, newsletter, 'Service News Worldwide', 3 March 2009.)
27. YOUTH WORK
Young people and counselling
The February 2009 edition of 'YAPRap', the newsletter of the Youth Action and Policy Association NSW, contains an article on the issues associated with counselling at-risk young people with multiple needs. This article was prompted by a question YAPA received from a youth worker about how to overcome the stigma that many at-risk young people associate with counselling. The youth worker asked the following question: "How can we present the offer of counselling in such a way that is appealing to those young people who we believe may benefit from it?" The article presents responses from four experienced youth workers. For information on how to access 'YAPRap', visit the YAPA NSW website: http://www.yapa.org.au/yapa/yaprap/index.php (Source: 'YAPRap', v.19, n.2, 2009, pp.13-14.)
The language we speak: Some recent articles on the youth work profession in 'CYC-Online'
The International Child and Youth Care Network's online journal 'CYC-Online', April 2009, n.122, has more on its continuing debate about child and youth care as a profession. It also contains several pieces that touch on the kinds of writing youth workers engage in during the course of their professional work. The magazine's editorial on the professional image of the child and youth care worker points out the different kinds of writing that reflect that profession, e.g. in the mainstream media, the academic press and in the day-to-day world of professional discourse. See: 'Child and youth care workers: Telling our story', at: http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cyconline-apr2009-editorial.html
The same edition of 'CYC-Online' also features a short article by UK youth worker and researcher Mark Smith, whose writing on youth work and informal education may be familiar to some readers through online youth networks in the UK (e.g. http://detached.youthworkonline.org.uk). Reviewing a book on residential community work in London ('The growth of love', by Keith White, a veteran UK child care worker) Mark Smith speculates on the religious tradition of child care and our contemporary models of state or secular service. While he acknowledges that Keith White's book is fraught territory that might be seen to be "imposing a particular set of moral and, arguably, moralistic values on what is regarded as a state (and thus secularised) service", Mark Smith is led to wonder if our secular structures sometimes "merely replicate the very features of a religious system that they purport to have moved beyond. Specifically, the rise of regulatory regimes in the social services impose the same sort of behavioural norms that might previously have been thought of as the preserve of religious fundamentalists". In essence, Smith concludes that religiously-based care is "a legitimate tradition", and is one that "[speaks] a language that captures the essence of care far better than secularised and regulated vocabularies permit. White uses words like security, boundaries, significance, community, creativity and, of course, love -- qualities that catch the imagination in a way that codes, standards, corporate, service level agreements and complaints procedures don't really come close to". (Source: The International Child and Youth Care Network, 'CYC-Online', April 2009, n.122, http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cyconline-apr2009-smith.html)
The same edition of 'CYC-Online' also features a short article by UK youth worker and researcher Mark Smith, whose writing on youth work and informal education may be familiar to some readers through online youth networks in the UK (e.g. http://detached.youthworkonline.org.uk). Reviewing a book on residential community work in London ('The growth of love', by Keith White, a veteran UK child care worker) Mark Smith speculates on the religious tradition of child care and our contemporary models of state or secular service. While he acknowledges that Keith White's book is fraught territory that might be seen to be "imposing a particular set of moral and, arguably, moralistic values on what is regarded as a state (and thus secularised) service", Mark Smith is led to wonder if our secular structures sometimes "merely replicate the very features of a religious system that they purport to have moved beyond. Specifically, the rise of regulatory regimes in the social services impose the same sort of behavioural norms that might previously have been thought of as the preserve of religious fundamentalists". In essence, Smith concludes that religiously-based care is "a legitimate tradition", and is one that "[speaks] a language that captures the essence of care far better than secularised and regulated vocabularies permit. White uses words like security, boundaries, significance, community, creativity and, of course, love -- qualities that catch the imagination in a way that codes, standards, corporate, service level agreements and complaints procedures don't really come close to". (Source: The International Child and Youth Care Network, 'CYC-Online', April 2009, n.122, http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cyconline-apr2009-smith.html)
28. YOUTH WORK TRAINING
New courses: In Hobart ... Diploma of Youth Work Program
A Diploma of Youth Work Program in Hobart is due to start in May. The Tasmanian Polytechnic will be running the program for workers already employed in the sector. It will consist of recognition services, a tutorial program and project work, depending on the needs of the group. For details contact Barbara Holgate on (03) 6245 8025 after 20 April or email: Barbara.Holgate@polytechnic.tas.edu.au
New courses overseas ... MA in Children, Youth and International Development
An innovative interdisciplinary program based at the Centre for Human Geography at Brunel University in London is the first in the UK to cater specifically for those working, or interested in working, in the field of children, youth and international development. Their MA in Children, Youth and International Development is designed to equip students with the conceptual understanding and breadth of empirical knowledge that will help them critically evaluate policy and practice in the area of children, youth and development. It also aims to impart the skills necessary to design and undertake research relating to children, youth and development. Available full- or part-time, the course can incorporate a short placement. For further information and an application form, email nicola.ansell@brunel.ac.uk, or visit: http://www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/pg/cdata/c/children%2c+youth+and+international+development+ma or http://tr.im/j1vh (Source: email, Dr Nicola Ansell, ESA-Youth mailing list, 17 March 2009.)