The CAARS Taskforce is a group of representatives from government, non-government and research sectors who have come together to promote a shared responsibility for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Working with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the group is working together to help develop:

* a common approach to assessment and referral; and

* improved mechanisms for information sharing.

The taskforce came about through the establishment of the Australian Government's Protecting Children is Everyone's Business: National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020, which supports a number of projects funded by Australian Government. It also coincides with the release of the ARACY report, 'Inverting the pyramid: Enhancing systems for protecting children'.

The CAARS Taskforce held its inaugural meeting in Canberra on 18 June, is co-convened by ARACY and the Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. An interim report will be submitted to Minister Macklin by the end of the year. The CAARS Taskforce participants are drawn from secondary services and disciplines, government and non-government sectors, and include individuals from the following groups: medical, nursing, teaching, family relationships, mental health, psychology, social work, disability, Indigenous children's services, school guidance and counselling, homelessness, child welfare agencies, alcohol and drug services, domestic violence, research and State and Territory Government representatives. A full list of members, and the terms of reference of the taskforce, can be found on the ARACY website, at: http://www.aracy.org.au/index.cfm?pageName=the_CAARS_taskforce (Source: Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, 'ARACY Update', email, 10 June, and 'ARACY weekly eBulletin', email, 19 June 2009.)

The 'Home is where my heart is' project for 2009 is a partnership between WA's youth peak body, the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) and Propel Youth Arts WA. The project combines the talents of emerging young photographers with the creativity and curiosity of homeless youth. An exhibition of images produced by the project will be displayed as part of National Homeless Persons Week in August. YACWA asks: "If you know or work with any young people who you think might like to be involved in the project this year, please contact Lisa Laschon (YACWA's executive officer) or Craig Comrie on (08) 9485 2750 or email policy@yacwa.org.au".

The CREATE Transitioning from Care Survey is closing soon, on 30 June. Foster carers, out-of-home care caseworkers, leaving care support staff and others are asked to encourage young people aged 15 to 25 years to participate in the survey. CREATE Foundation is a national advocacy organisation for young people in care. This year, CREATE hopes to survey larger numbers of young people in care in the 15- to 25-year age bracket than in the past. An invitation to young people to participate can be requested from Christine Flynn, National Policy and Research Manager, CREATE Foundation, ph: (02) 9267 1999 or email: christine.flynn@create.org.au

The survey forms part of CREATE's report card series on the situation of young people in care and transitioning from care. It puts the spotlight on legislation, policy and practice regarding the lived experience of children and young people in care, who are often "jettisoned from the care system" with "little support or guidance" when they turn 18. (CREATE newsletter, May 2009, p.3). For more information on the Report Card or the survey, contact CREATE on 1800 655 105 or follow the links on http://www.create.org.au

This report by Leah Bromfield and F. Arney of the National Child Protection Clearinghouse summarises the development of a national child protection research agenda in Australia and the translation of that agenda into policy and practice. It also identifies the challenges, opportunities, and priorities for the development of that agenda. It can be read in the issues paper series, 'Child abuse prevention', n.28, 2008 (pp. 1-14), at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/issues/issues28/issues28.html

This new online publication from the National Child Protection Clearinghouse (resource sheet n. 13) is a fact sheet that sets out information about working with children and police check requirements in each Australian state and territory. It describes the legislation, what information is considered, groups subject to pre-employment screening requirements, and the contact details for pre-employment screening bodies in each state and territory. See: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs13/rs13.html

This Mission Australia snapshot publication presents the findings of research undertaken as part of studies for a professional doctorate by a Mission Australia staff member, Jioji Ravulo, of Mission Australia's Youth Offender Support Programs, or YOSP. This is a group of programs that Mission Australia runs in south-west Sydney involving young people aged 10 to 17 years who are in contact with the criminal justice system. Ravulo's research has a particular focus on Pacific Islander youth whose developmental pathways are both enriched and complicated by the added dimension of sustaining and developing their cultural identity in Australia.

The research "confirms that much better outcomes are achieved through holistic community-based services than through detention/incarceration".

The publication includes current data on young people and the juvenile justice system and also reports on new in-depth research undertaken with 100 young people involved in the juvenile justice system. This new research provides some unique insights on the backgrounds and some of the personal and family strengths of young people involved in the juvenile justice system as well as identifying some of the systemic issues needing to be addressed if more positive outcomes are to be achieved with these young people. The publication reports on an externally evaluated Mission Australia program which has been working with young people in contact with the juvenile justice system. The program, Pasifika Support Services, is showing promising results in terms of reducing re-offending, and improving educational, employment, health, personal and social skills, and family relationship outcomes. At a cost of $2,500 per client the program is also cost effective. A series of policy and practice recommendations to achieve more effective outcomes in this important public policy area are also included in the report. For copies of the report please contact Kathryn Di Nicola on (02) 9219 2023 or at dinicolak@missionaustralia.com.au. More at: http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/document-downloads/doc_details/126-young-people-and-the-criminal-justice-system-new-insights-and-promising-responses, or http://tr.im/p8hF

It's been said before, and it has recently been said again: programs designed to divert young people from offending behaviour and entering juvenile detention can not only be more effective than putting a young person in custody but can also be "up to 50 times cheaper to run". According to a media release from Mission Australia on 16 June 2009, "diversionary programs designed to keep young people from re-offending can cut rates by more than half and reduce serious offences by close to two-thirds". The community service organisation called on state and territory governments to set targets to reduce the numbers of juveniles in detention and expand the number of successful diversionary programs. Mission Australia asks: "When you look at the population of juveniles in custody, almost half report some form of serious abuse in their past, including violence and neglect. Do we really think detaining a young person with that sort of background is an appropriate response to their problem?" (Source: Mission Australia, 'Australia's approach to Juvenile Justice must change', media release, 16 June 2009, http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/news/media-releases/1200-australias-approach-to-juvenile-justice-must-change)

In delivering the Mabo Oration in Queensland on the 17th anniversary of the landmark High Court native title judgement, Tom Calma, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, suggested that governments should consider diverting a proportion of their prison budgets to address the causes of crime in Indigenous communities. ('The Age', 6 June 2009, http://is.gd/14Z2m, cited by the Youth Affairs Network of Queensland at: http://www.yanq.org.au/content/view/1904/12/)

"The National Alcohol Strategy expires this year, and another is needed: one that more closely follows the evidence of what really works in reducing harm." So writes Steven J Skov, in an editorial on behalf of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Alcohol Advisory Group in the "Medical Journal of Australia" 15 June 2009 (v.190, n.12, pp.662-663, http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/190_12_150609/sko10369_fm.html). Skov continues: "Much good work to reduce the harms from alcohol has been done in Australia by individuals and organisations such as the Public Health Association of Australia and the Australian Drug Foundation. However, much more is needed, as the level of harm is still unacceptable, especially among young people. We in the health profession need to play a greater advocacy role, in partnership with others within and beyond the health sector... The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Trauma Committee, with its experience in road trauma and interpersonal violence, has indicated a strong interest in being involved. We need to be part of, and to help build, active coalitions." Drawing an analogy with the fight against tobacco, Skov notes that "much is similar in the need to change the culture surrounding their use, and in the large and powerful industries that profit from their sale. Overcoming these obstacles will require an alliance of organisations, with a common understanding of the key issues, goals and ways to achieve them, and persistence in their pursuit. With thousands of lives lost or damaged, and billions of dollars wasted every year, this is our challenge and our responsibility." Steven Skov is based at the Centre for Disease Control, Department of Health and Community Services in Darwin.

This seminar takes place on 16 July in Melbourne. It is free, and will discuss the new guidelines, 'Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol', and provide opportunities to discuss the issues arising from the DrugInfo newsletter and Prevention Research Quarterly, 'Australian alcohol guidelines: from research to practice'. Phone to book 1300 85 85 84, or email the Australian Drug Foundation at: druginfo@adf.org.au

The Homeless Information Portal is a searchable directory of alcohol and other drugs support services in Australia, and an online resource guide to help service providers respond to homeless people affected by alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. The website was developed in 2009 by the Australian National Council on Drugs in collaboration with a consortium led by the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University of Technology. See: http://www.hip.org.au

Somazone, a program of the Australian Drug Foundation, aims to empower young people to address their physical, emotional and social health needs in a way that is relevant and non-judgemental. Young people aged 14–18 years are invited to showcase their artistic talent by designing a poster to promote Somazone.  The competition closes 5 p.m. (AEST) on Friday 10 July 2009. For more information and to enter, see the Somazone website: http://www.somazone.com.au

'Binge drinking: Young people's attitudes and behaviour' was commissioned by Positive Futures, a leading UK social inclusion program funded by the Home Office and managed by independent charity, Crime Concern. The report was written and researched by Prof. Tim Crabbe of Substance and Simon Talbot of Crime Concern. Substance is the national evaluator of the Positive Futures program, which uses sport and leisure activities to engage young people in deprived communities. The binge drinking report concludes that despite young people's involvement in underage drinking, they favoured a number of measures for reducing alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour. Forty six per cent favoured diversionary sports and leisure activities to reduce alcohol-related crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, and 56 per cent of young people on the Positive Futures program had managed to reduce their drinking. The report also found that 38 per cent wanted better health information and 33 per cent wanted authorities to tackle sales from off licenses and shops to underage youth. The report, 'Binge drinking: young people's attitudes and behaviour: A report commissioned by Positive Futures' is available as a PDF from the Substance website, at: http://www.substance.coop/publications_binge_drinking

After research revealed that London's 11- to 15-year-olds drink the equivalent of 180,000 bottles of beer a week, a raft of measures has been proposed to tackle alcohol misuse among London's youth. The first comprehensive study of the drinking habits of young people in London was carried out by the London Assembly Health and Public Services Committee. It revealed that young women aged 11 to 15 are now drinking more heavily, that there was a large increase in the proportion of young people from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities who were drinking, and that young people from outer London boroughs are more likely to misuse alcohol than those from inner boroughs. The committee made a total of nine recommendations for tackling the problem. (Source: 'Children and Young People Now, Daily Bulletin', 15 June 2009, http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/913221/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin)

The Centre for Economics Policy Research (CEPR) recently published this paper by Juan David Barón. Using unique information from a cohort of Australian youth, it explores the association between young people's perception of control and three educational outcomes: whether or not they completed Year 12 or achieved an Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) score, and their actual ENTER score. See: http://cepr.anu.edu.au/pdf/DP598.pdf

This conference paper from Tom Karmel of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reflects on the split between higher education and vocational education and training (VET), a division which he says is "not clean". It also sounds some words of warning for those contemplating a closer integration of higher education and VET. While education providers operate in both sectors, their student cohorts have differing characteristics. Karmel examines these characteristics, the Australian Qualifications Framework and the movement of students between the two sectors. The number of students transferring between the two sectors is substantial but relatively small when compared with the number who follow traditional pathways from school to TAFE or higher education. See: http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2115.html (Source: National Centre for Vocational Education Research, 'NCVER Email Newsletter', 6 May 2009).

In March 2009, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the report 'Education today: The OECD Perspective', based on OECD work since 2002. The report's content ranges from "student performance to educational spending and equity in education" and covers educational levels from early childhood through higher education and adult education. See: http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,3343,en_2649_33723_42440761_1_1_1_1,00.html (Source: TL INFOBITS, ISSN: 1931-3144 April 2009, n.34. INFOBITS is an electronic service of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ITS Teaching and Learning division in the USA.)

Jobseeker is a online employment website that is part of 'Infoxchange Australia, Technology for social justice'. The Jobseeker service specialises in community, not-for-profit and government jobs. It lists a substantial number of youth-related jobs. See: http://www.jobseeker.org.au/employment/choose_category.chtml?category=Youth

New research published in the UK medical journal, 'The Lancet' warns that climate change is the biggest global health threat in the 21st century. Its authors, academics from University College London, say the big message from their report is that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but it will affect the health of billions of people. More at: http://bit.ly/VqymR; full report at: http://bit.ly/jmu5d or http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/14/2569991.htm?section=world

Powershift 2009 is taking place on 11-13 July 2009 at the University of Western Sydney. The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), a national youth climate movement, was formed 18 months ago, and this is their first national youth climate summit. It aims to bring together 3,000 young people from all over Australia for three days of decisive action on climate change. For further details and registration, see: http://www.aycc.org.au/?page_id=388 (Source: 'ACSSO values education news', v.3, n.4, June 2009 (email, 19 June 2009). The Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO) is the peak national organisation representing the interests of the parents, families and school communities of more than two million children attending government schools throughout Australia.)

Linh Do is the founder of Change and Switch, a foundation that aims to amalgamate social justice and climate change issues. She is one of the Gen Y speakers at the University of Melbourne's inaugural Festival of Ideas which is currently under way, with panel discussions, keynote speeches and presentations from a range of climate change experts. (Source: Festival of Ideas website http://ideas.unimelb.edu.au/, and Melbourne University Staff/Student E-news (MUSSE), http://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/musse/?p=1177)

The Centre for Multicultural Youth undertakes a range of programs, projects and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the life opportunities of young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. One of the CMY projects is the Multicultural Youth Mentoring Project, which began life as a pilot project in 2004. The new phase of CMY's mentoring project, the Multicultural Youth Mentoring Project, aims to provide opportunities for CLD young people aged 16 to 21 to become stronger advocates in their community about their own needs, with government, peers and the community. Now, CMY's Multifaith Multicultural Youth Mentoring Project has been established, to foster a dialogue between Victorian decision-makers in the corporate, government, community and faith sectors, and young leaders from various cultural and faith backgrounds. To find out more about this program, contact Anna Hutchens, Project Officer at CMY, ph: 903) 9340 3700 or email: ahutchens@cmy.net.au (Source: 'YIKES!', newsletter of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, v.7, n.1, March 2009, p.19.)

The Centre for Multicultural Youth is conducting one of its regular state-wide Multicultural Youth Issues Network sessions on 2 July. Their forums (three per year) aim to help those working with young people of diverse backgrounds to share knowledge and experience, promote partnerships and build on collaborative work. Relevant issues and concerns are canvassed and documented to contribute to an evidence-base for action. The 2 July forum is on supporting refugee young people in their relationships with family, and will explore the implications of this focus for youth work. The need to include families in youth work practice is increasingly being recognised as vital for promoting the health and wellbeing of young people: CMY notes that research shows that although family connectedness is a protective factor for young people, workers often feel unsure how to approach this aspect of their work.

Topics for exploration at the forum include:

* a framework for youth workers supporting refugee young people in the context of family relationships;

* the refugee experience and the impact on family relationships; and

* strategies and challenges for youth workers trying to cooperate and collaborate with families.

The forum will bring together youth and settlement workers, community workers and community leaders. To attend, RSVP by Monday 29 June to: CMY, ph: (03) 9340 3700 or info@cmy.net.au, and for more information or to download an invitation, go to http://www.cmy.net.au/StatewideNetwork or contact Nick Butera, ph: (03) 9340 3742 or email: nbutera@cmy.net.au
(Source: Email, Nick Butera, Project Officer, Sector Development & Policy, Centre for Multicultural Youth, 16 June 2009.)

Australian Rotary Health's Funding Partner Program is offering a PhD scholarship of $25,000 per year for research in youth suicide prevention (Australian Rotary Health/Rotary Club of Parramatta City investigating Youth Suicide). Applicants must be eligible to undertake a PhD program in New South Wales. Applications are available for download from: http://www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au/Information-About/Research/Current-Opportunities.aspx The closing date is Friday 10 July 2009.

Australian Rotary Health is also offering funding for one-year pilot research projects in 2010 for investigating mental health of young Australians (birth to 17 yrs), closing on 7 August 2009. For full details on these opportunities, contact: Kelly Anne Martinez, Research Officer, Australian Rotary Health, ph: (02) 8833 8308, http://www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au

A new Australian Bureau of Statistics report (ABS 4364.0, National Health Survey 2007-08) spells out the key health risk factors for Australians: obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking. More at: http://tr.im/l6FC

'A picture of Australia's children 2009' is the fourth in a series of national statistical reports on children aged 0-14 years, and was released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in June 2009. The report provides the latest available information on how Australia's children are faring according to key national indicators of health, development and wellbeing. Drawing on the advice of the National Child Information Advisory Group, it brings together a broad range of indicators that cover health status, risk and protective factors, early learning and education, family and community environments, safety and security, and system performance. The indicators include ministerially endorsed Children's Headline Indicators, published for the first time in this report.
(Source: Summary, key findings, 'A picture of Australia's children 2009', ISBN: 139781740249294; AIHW cat. no. PHE 112; 224pp. Print edition: $35.00; PDF edition: see the AIHW website, http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10704)

One of the most common long-term health conditions reported by teenagers and young adults in Australia today is back pain, according to Prof. Rachelle Buchbinder of Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. In the "For debate" section in the May 2009 edition of the 'Medical Journal of Australia', Prof. Buchbinder and Dr Andrew Briggs of Curtin University's School of Physiotherapy called for back pain to be classified by Australia's health ministers as "a national health priority area". (Sources: The Age, 5 June 2006, http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/oh-my-aching-back-20090605-bxt2.html?page=-1; "Medical Journal of Australia", v.190, n.9, pp.499-502, 4 May 2009, http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/190_09_040509/bri11124_fm.html)

In this report, UNICEF UK highlights the fact that insufficient attention is being given to preventing the transmission of HIV among young people under the age of 25. Statistics in the report reveal that girls and young women remain far more vulnerable to HIV infection than young men, with two-thirds of the 5.5 million 15- to 24-year-olds with HIV worldwide being women. The majority of these young people still lack comprehensive and correct information about how to prevent HIV infection, or do not have the power to act on that knowledge. The release of the report marked the launch of UNICEF UK's 'We want to live free from HIV' campaign, which aims to raise UK2 million for HIV prevention and to remind governments of the importance of effective HIV prevention among young people. The PDF of the report can be downloaded from: http://www.thebody.com/content/art51702.html (PDF document).

12. HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

The April 2009 edition of 'Parity', magazine of the Council to Homeless Persons (v.22, n.3) discusses affordable housing for those on a low income, the difficulty in accessing private rental housing, and the impact of service delivery approaches on those who are experiencing homelessness. It contains a short article, 'Young people's road to private rental' (p.51) on the issue of young people and the private rental market, and describes how two programs are keeping young people from sliding into homelessness. Services to Youth Council Inc. runs two programs to move young people quickly out of homelessness and into accommodation -- The Rent Club(c) and the Cooperative Foundation Court (CFC). Both programs provide youth with an experience of accommodation in which they can learn about private rental, daily living, and can find links "back into their community through education, training and employment".

1. The Cooperative Foundation Court (CFC) provides medium-term affordable accommodation for youth aged 17 to 25 years who are facing barriers to long-term accommodation. CFC fills the gap between homelessness and private rental using a community housing model. A social worker from Services to Youth Council helps the young people to re-engage with education, training and employment.

2. The Rent Club(c) helps prepare young people for private rental and provides them with information about the legalities of private rental, the rights and responsibilities of landlords, budgeting, and how their behaviour as a tenant can affect their hopes of remaining in a private rental property.

The article, 'Young people's road to private rental' is published in 'Parity', v.22, n.3, 2009, p.51.

The online journal, 'CYC-Online', (International Child and Youth Care Network) has an interesting page of snippets from press reports around the world, providing an eclectic mix of news stories. See: http://www.cyc-net.org/newsrelease/nrl-june2009.html Find out more about the people behind CYC-Net at: http://www.cyc-net.org/administration/editors.html

A research team comprising members from the Australian Children's Television Foundation (ACTF) and the University of New England is embarking on a three-year research project based on the ACTF's multimedia authoring software for school students, Kahootz 3. The project, 'Teaching effective 3D authoring in the middle school years: Multimedia grammatical design and multimedia authoring pedagogy', aims to develop "an urgently needed writing pedagogy to prepare students to be effective authors in a world where communication is increasingly digital, multimedia and online". The researchers are looking for student artefacts created using Kahootz 3 (called "Kahootz Xpressions") to provide a starting point for their research. If you are able to help, please contact Annemaree O'Brien or Paul Chandler, ph: (03) 9419 8800; email: paul.chandler@une.edu.au

On 27 May 2009, headspace issued a media statement saying that headspace is committed to the system reform it began in 2006 to provide free and low-cost community-based mental health and drug and alcohol services to young people aged 12-25. "From the date of the first headspace centre opening in 2007 our 30 centres have provided a service to over 10,000 young people who may not have otherwise been able to access treatment headspace is making every effort to ensure the viability of all 30 of its centres and the maximum amount possible will be allocated to centres to assist with sustainability. The headspace initiative has made a difference to the lives of thousands of young people and their families across Australia. We have become an integral part of many different communities and we will continue to play a crucial role in the Australian landscape." (Source: email, 27 May 2009.)

This national plan is in its final stage of development. Responses to a survey on the plan are due by 5pm EDST on Friday 3 July 2009 -- they will inform the final drafting phase for the plan prior to its submission to the Australian Health Ministers' Conference. See: http://tr.im/p9og

SANE Australia's latest newsletter ('SANE news', n.50, winter 2009) focuses on the re-launch of their resource, 'Mental illness: My family, my story', which is on their website, http://itsallright.org The site features the diaries of four teenagers each dealing with the challenge of living with mental illness in their families. The diaries are based on real stories, and are accompanied by fact sheets and helpful resources for youth with a family member suffering from mental illness. More SANE Australia resources for youth are outlined at: http://www.sane.org/youth/youth/helping_young_people_understand_mental_illness.html or http://tr.im/oTuP

In late May, beyondblue: the national depression initiative launched a new youth mental health website to help raise awareness of symptoms of depression and anxiety, and to help youth get help. Youthbeyondblue is at:
http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/ (Source: HealthInsite, 'Youthbeyondblue mental health website launched, media release', 19 May 2009, http://tr.im/lQaU)

TranSCRIBE 2009 Young Writers Competition explores mental health and cultural diversity. See: http://tr.im/k143

The Raising Children Network has been granted $4.3 million by the Australian Government to provide information services about parenting of pre-teen and teenaged youth. This new funding will support the development of new and innovative visual based and interactive information resources. Until now, the network's focus had been on children aged 0 to 8 years.

The Parenting Research Centre Inc is the umbrella organisation for the Raising Children Network. Established in 1997, the centre is a national, independent, not-for-profit research and development organisation established to help parents raise happy healthy children. More at: http://www.parentingrc.org.au/vp/news/index.php

Latest research by the UK's Local Government Association (LGA) has found councils are keen to make new playgrounds fun and exciting. The government is hopes that 3,500 new or revamped facilities will be built by 2011 as part of a new investment in public space for children. The 'Children and Young People Daily Bulletin' (27 May 2009, http://tr.im/mC9e ) reports that 500 sites have opened to date, with giant climbing walls, tree houses and zip wires. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents' head of leisure and safety, Peter Cornall, says parents have to accept that their children "may get injured and that bumps and grazes are not serious and are all part of growing up".

As part of a research project on service provision to African men in Australia, service providers in Australia are invited by a researcher at the School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia to complete a brief survey. The research aims to investigate "best practice" in service delivery to African men who have migrated to Australia regarding the prevention of family violence and the breakdown of family relationships. The online TellUs2 survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes of your time. The survey is at:
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/TellUS2/SurveyForm.asp?ID=6492 or you can request a PDF of the survey from Juma Abuyi at the School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia, ph: (08) 8302 4346, email: abujy002@unisa.edu.au

This is the title of an international youth studies conference that gets under way in Ireland from 25 to 28 June 2009. Familiar names from the youth field are leading the presentations: Dr Ani Wierenga of the University of Melbourne, Prof. Howard Williamson of the University of Glamorgan in Scotland, and Prof Jim Côté of the University of Western Ontario. Hosted by the Department of Applied Social Studies at the University of Nui Maynooth in association with the Research Committee on Youth of the International Sociological Association (RC34) and Youth Studies Ireland, the event includes a symposium session on 'Issues, services and policies for children and young people: Irish and international perspectives' as well as workshop presentations on developments in youth work research and practice. Details at: http://cappss.nuim.ie/Conferences.shtml

ACYS has revamped its listing of scholarly journals relating to youth. In the course of doing so, YFX discovered that the 'Scottish Journal of Youth Studies', which has its home at the University of Strathclyde, will soon be re-launched as a journal of youth work. Stay tuned for developments. The list of journals is at: http://www.acys.info/resources/biblio/journals

This online peer-reviewed journal was launched in January 2009. Sponsored by the University of Glamorgan in Wales, its aim is to "promote improved practice by encouraging informed debate into pedagogic and related matters in higher education," the journal welcomes papers "from all disciplines and subject areas covering higher education policy and management, learning and teaching (including technology-enhanced learning and work-based learning), assessment, curriculum development and quality enhancement." Papers are available at no cost at http://jarhe.research.glam.ac.uk/ For more information, contact Dr Elaine Huntley, Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, Wales, UK; ph: +44 (0)1443 482316; email: jarhe@glam.ac.uk; http://jarhe.research.glam.ac.uk/ (Source: 'Kahootz 3 Newsletter'.)

Heywire is an important and valuable opportunity for youth in rural and regional Australia to get their voice heard on national radio through the Heywire competition. Contributions in the form of text, video or audio pieces are sought. The prize, for 44 winners from across Australia, is place at the Heywire 2010 Youth Issues Forum in Canberra, a week long, all-expenses-paid trip. Entries close on 4 September 2009. Read about the competition on the Heywire blog at http://blogs.abc.net.au/heywire/competition-heywire.html The application form can be obtained by contacting Heywire by phone: 1800 26 26 46. Alternatively, follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/heywire or join them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heywire/8815312045?ref=ts

The Australian Government's social inclusion agenda is a whole-of-government approach to provide opportunities for all Australians to participate in their local community and Australian society. As part of its social inclusion agenda, the Australian Government is exploring ways to develop a "new and stronger relationship" with the non-profit sector, based on partnership and respect. A new compact, or agreement, is being developed between the Australian Government and the not-for-profit Sector, and the National Compact Joint Taskforce met for the first time on 11 May to commence drafting a new compact between the Australian Government and the third sector. The Taskforce comprises 18 members from non-profit organisations, Commonwealth Government agencies, local government and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Read more on the Australian Government's Social Inclusion website, at: http://www.socialinclusion.gov.au/Compact/Pages/default.aspx The site also includes resources such as the Australian Social Inclusion Board's new brochure on how to build inclusive and resilient communities, at: http://www.socialinclusion.gov.au/LatestNews/Pages/BuildingCommunityResilience.aspx

Professor Gail Whiteford, the first person appointed as Pro Vice Chancellor (Social Inclusion) at Macquarie University, reflected on this question at a breakfast forum in Canberra on 19 May 2009. The forum was part of a two-year project for Australia21, asking Australians what they consider to be "the next big question". To view the questions already asked (by an Australian Nobel Laureate, and a former Australian of the Year) go to http://www.australia21.org.au/bigquestion.htm Australia 21 is an independent, non-profit organisation that builds networks of outstanding people to develop a sustainable and flourishing future for Australia. (Source: Australia21, 'Asking the next big question on social inclusion', media release, http://www.australia21.org.au/pdf/Media%20Release%20Soc%20Inc09.pdf
Australia21's next big questions have been featured on the AYIN e-list, an email news service managed by the editor of this newsletter, Anne Hugo, in conjunction with Fiona and Sue James. To join the AYIN e-list, send a message to: join-ayin@edna.edu.au

This documentary reveals the little-known history of youth at the United Nations and the ways that youth participation happens at the UN these days. See: http://youthforum.org/en/node/861

The newsletter 'UN Youth flash' has more good content than YFX has space to describe here. This newsletter sets out overtly to "keep you informed about the work of the UN on youth issues', but it does a lot more in its picture of programs, movements, publications, events -- take a look at the June 2009 edition at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/flash.htm The newsletter is produced by Youth at the United Nations, UN Programme on Youth (Division for Social Policy and Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, 2 UN Plaza, DC2-1306, New York NY 10017 USA). To have your input considered for the next edition, write to the editor at: youth@un.org. Submissions of up to 150 words must be received by 13 July 2009.

The AYF is holding a national event, 'YouTHINK- youth say' on 30 June 2009 involving 42 events in each Australian state and territory, with one major event at the Melbourne Town Hall from 10.30 am - 2 pm. The 'YouTHINK- youth say' event is a joint Australian Government and Salvation Army initiative, and for the day's events to have their biggest impact, the Salvation Army needs the help of multiple agencies and institutions working with young people to let the most disengaged of young people know about the event so that they can have the opportunity for their voice to be heard. Your help is needed with:
* letting youth know about the event;
* finding youth workers with the capacity to facilitate groups to volunteer to run a group for the day;
* spreading the word through youth networks.
Each consultation session will consider the same four themes:

The day aims to provide a platform for young people aged 15 to 24 to be heard on these topics. All the findings will be collated to provide advice directly to the Federal Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis. If you can help, are interested in participating, or need more information, contact Captain Genevieve Peterson of the Salvation Army's Social Programme Department, ph: (03) 8878 4782, mob. 0419 304 250, email: gen.peterson@aus.salvationarmy.org (Source: Adapted from an email posting to the Youthgas list and the AYIN e-list, 12 June 2009, and the AYF website, http://www.youth.gov.au/ayf/pages/news.htm)

The Youth Action and Policy Association of NSW has produced the first edition of its youth magazine, 'unleash: Youth opinion and action' (issue 1, June-July 2009). Six editions per year are planned for 'unleash'. YAPA say that their newsletter, 'YAPRap' "always attempted to be for (both) youth workers and young people, but this was too much to expect of the one newsletter. 'YAPRap' will now be from now on is YAPA's bi-monthly newsletter of youth policy and youth work" while 'unleash' will be their bi-monthly magazine of youth opinion and action. For those already receiving 'YAPRap' there is no extra cost. For 'unleash' only, inquire about subscription costs at: info@yapa.org.au, ph: (02) 9281 5522. The magazine is in A4, hard copy format, and is not issued as a PDF, but there is a companion blog at: http://unleashblog.blogspot.com -- from there you can discover their Facebook page. Contact the editor at: unleash@yapa.org.au or ph: (02) 9281 5522 ext 7.

On 30 May, Australia's Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis announced the signing of a funding agreement that will provide $1.6 million over a four-year period to the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition. AYAC is Australia's national non-government youth affairs peak, representing the rights and interests of young people and the sector that supports them. The funding will help consolidate and strengthen the national youth peak which, for many years, had been denied funding by the previous government.

This is the topic for a national e-forum organised by Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) as one of their occasional 'Access Grid' presentations. The PROSPER network is a USA-based university-community partnership that helps communities and schools work together to deliver evidence-based preventive interventions. The presentation will be given by Prof. Mark Greenberg, Director of the Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development at Pennsylvania State University. An expert on child development and the prevention of childhood social, emotional and cognitive problems, Prof. Greenberg has played a vital role in school and family-based programs, such as the PATHS Curriculum and Fast Track. To attend the e-forum, book in advance. The venues are at university campus locations in each Australian state or territory (except for the Northern Territory). For more information, follow the links from the ARACY events calendar at http://www.aracy.org.au or http://tr.im/pab5