FUNDING AND SPONSORSHIP

Applications close on 9 September 2009 for the Dunlop Asia Fellowships

These fellowships promote Sir Edward (Weary) Dunlop's vision of peace and prosperity by giving young people the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to Australia-Asia relations. The fellowship offers grants of up to $15,000 for participation in tailored programs in the fields of social service, community development, public health, youth and family welfare, justice and other fields too. For details, see: http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/dunlopfellowships. (Source: email, 24 August 2009, Florence Wong, The Asialink Centre, University of Melbourne, ph: (03) 8344 0389; fax: (03) 9347 1758.)

HEALTH

NZ's society for youth health professionals

In September 2007, the Society of Youth Health Professionals Aotearoa New Zealand (SYHPANZ) was established to address the needs of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who work in the area of youth health in New Zealand. More at: http://www.syhpanz.org/ (Source: New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) newsletter, 'NZAAHD e update', n.184, 21 August 2009, http://www.nzaahd.org.nz/)

Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health news

The Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health has been successful in their efforts to gain a further five years of funding. From January 2010 they will become the Co-operative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. The Centre will be located in the new National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research. A congress will facilitate membership of the institute and it is from this congress that project partners will be recruited. The first congress is planned for late November 2009. More at: http://www.crcah.org.au/ (Source: Auseinet, http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/noticeboard/ausei90.php)

INDIGENOUS YOUTH

Reconciliation Action Plan

Mission Australia has become the first major Australian welfare organisation to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan, a strategy to contribute to reducing the gap in living standards between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians based on respect and partnership. The plan was developed over many months of consultation with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, Indigenous groups and with significant input from Reconciliation Australia. More at: http://tinyurl.com/pu9wfk

The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience goes national

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) is an Indigenous corporation and a not-for-profit charity that links university students in a one-on-one relationship with high school Indigenous students. In early August, AIME launched itself nationally as a mentoring organisation helping Indigenous students through a unique style of structured education mentoring. AIME's objectives are to increase addmission rates for Year 10, Year 12 Indigenous Australian students who participate in the program. More at: http://www.aimementoring.com/

Youth services in the Whitsundays

A forum was recently convened by the Whitsunday Regional Council to discuss Indigenous services in the North Queensland Whitsundays, as part of a new community development plan for the area. The meeting called for better services for young people, and also for Indigenous accommodation and employment services in the Whitsundays and Proserpine, which currently have no Indigenous-specific services. More at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/20/2661329.htm?site=northqld

Indigenous incarceration and health

In June this year, the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC) released a position paper titled 'Bridges and barriers: Indigenous incarceration and health'. The paper "presents strong arguments for a range of interventions to address the alarming proportions of Indigenous Australians" in corrective institutions. One of the key issues highlighted in the paper is the strong link between alcohol consumption/drug use, rates of offending and poor health. To improve this situation, NIDAC recommends "starting diversion activities from a young age, plus providing a continuum of care in a holistic framework that can help break the cycle of substance misuse within whole families". The position paper can be downloaded from the NIDAC website: http://www.nidac.org.au/ (Source: 'Of Substance', v.7, n.3, 2009, p.17.)

MENTAL HEALTH

Money and mental illness

The latest research bulletin from SANE Australia looks at the topic of money and mental illness. It outlines findings from a survey conducted in April and May this year through the SANE Australia website. Issues covered in the survey include the income level of people with a mental illness, the costs associated with living with a mental illness and the impact of low income on the daily lives and health care strategies of people with a mental illness. The research bulletin is available as a PDF from: http://www.sane.org (Source: SANE Australia 2009, 'Money and mental illness', 'SANE Research Bulletin' n.9.)

First Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium

This symposium, to be held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra from 2-3 November, is calling for abstract submissions. Themes: community preparedness and context; early interventions; medium term interventions; long term interventions. Topics include emergency services and administration, mental health services delivery, and the development of individual and community resilience. For information, see: http://www.anzmh.asn.au/rmha9/

Online therapy: helping treat depression in rural areas

Rates of depression are similar in urban and rural areas, but people living outside metropolitan centres often struggle to find good treatment. New research suggests that online therapy might be as effective as face-to-face counselling.

Researchers from the University of New South Wales and St Vincents Hospital's 'Sadness' program is an example. See:

http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2009/06/25/2607411.htm

(Source: AICAFMHA email alert, 'News in Brief', n.9.05, 30/06/2009.)

News from Auseinet

The Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health (Auseinet) aims to help the implementation of approaches to mental health promotion and illness prevention in a range of sectors and settings. Recently, Auseinet received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to develop and implement an introductory level training module on mental health promotion, prevention of mental ill-health and early intervention with selected participants from around Australia. The inaugural Auseinet national train-the-trainer program took place in May 2009 in Adelaide.

In September, Auseinet is hosting a national Mental Health and Wellbeing forum in Adelaide, led by Scotland's Gregor Henderson, an international expert on mental health policy. See: http://www.auseinet.com/files/temp/henderson08_09.pdf (Source: Auseinet website, http://www.auseinet.com/wotsnew/atausei.php)

MOVEMENTS, CHANGES, MILESTONES

Queensland's Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian: new contact details

New contact details: Level 17, 53 Albert Street, Brisbane, QLD 4002; postal address: PO Box 15217, Brisbane City East, Queensland 4002; ph: (07) 3211 6700 (freecall 1800 688 275); fax: (07) 3035 5900; web: http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au

Gaye Phillips appointed NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People

Gaye Phillips was appointed as NSW children's commissioner by the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir, effective from 7 September 2009. Gaye Phillips has extensive experience in advocating for the rights of children and young people both in Australia and overseas, and is a long-standing leader in the social justice and human rights fields. (Source: NSW Minister for Youth Graham West, 'New Commissioner for Children and Young People Appointed', media release, 5 July 2009.)

The Trust for the Study of Adolescence in the UK becomes Young People in Focus

To celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, the TSA has decided to modernise its name to Young People in Focus. This UK charity helps individuals and organisations that work with young people and families (aged 10-25) through its research, training and publications. Contact details:

23 New Road, Brighton BN1 1WZ United Kingdom, ph: +44 (0) 1273 693 311; fax: +44 (0)1273 679 907; email: info@youngpeopleinfocus.org.uk; web: http://www.youngpeopleinfocus.org.uk/publications

ACE and ACEL to explore a merger

The boards of the Australian College of Educators (ACE) and the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) have agreed to work together to examine the possibility of merging. Their members are reported as having often raised the potential benefits of such a move, and their respective boards believe a merger would result in a "strengthened organisation able to represent the interests of the profession of educators more fully". (Source: Australian College of Educators' website, news section,

http://www.austcolled.com.au/announcement/ace-and-acel-explore-merge or http://tinyurl.com/ksykhd

Australian College of Educators Medal 2009

ACER Chief Executive Professor Geoff Masters has been awarded the Australian College of Educators Medal for 2009. The Australian College of Educators awarded the medal to Professor Masters in recognition of his status as an "international authority on educational measurement and student assessment", his "distinctive contribution to education through his leadership of ACER" and his involvement in many task forces and expert working groups both nationally and internationally. (Source: 'Research Developments', n.21, 2009, p.15.)

PARTICIPATION

New civics and citizenship program for Victorian secondary students

The Victorian Electoral Commission has produced 'Passport to Democracy', a new civics and citizenship program for Victorian secondary students. The 4-6 week program focuses on active citizenship and takes an inquiry-based approach that helps young people to make connections between the issues that they care about and the political process. Materials provided include a DVD, teacher guide, student workbooks, voting screen and a ballot box. In-class assistance or professional development sessions are available for teachers, and a teachers' blog is also available for teachers to share their program-related ideas. For more information, visit: www.passporttodemocracy.edublogs.org To request a sample pack send your postal address to: education@vec.vic.gov.au (Source: email, 30 July 2009)

PUBLIC SPACE

Consultation paper on surveillance in public places

Earlier this year, the Victorian Law Reform Commission released a consultation paper on the contentious issue of surveillance in public places. The paper "contains a comprehensive analysis of the current use and future trends of surveillance in public places, based on wide-ranging research and consultations with users of surveillance, privacy advocates and community groups". The paper presents a range of options for law reform in this area. While the time for public submissions on the issue has closed, the consultation paper and further information on the VLRC's work on this topic can be found by clicking on the 'Surveillance in public places' link at: http://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Law+Reform/Home/Current+Projects/ (Source: 'Alternative Law Journal', v.34, n.2, p.135.)

RIGHTS

UN responses to human rights issues in Australia

In March this year, the United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed Australia's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In April, the committee released its concluding observations from this review. While the committee commended Australia for measures such as the Australian Parliament's apology to the stolen generations and the current National Human Rights Consultation, they gave the Australian Government one year to improve its compliance regarding the Northern Territory Intervention, immigration, terrorism laws and violence against women. The committee's recommendations can be read it full at:

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/co/CCPR-C-AUS-CO5-CRP1.doc (Source: 'Alternative Law Journal', v.34, n.2, 2009, p.129.)

New South Wales Commission for Children and Young People: 'Captured by kids'

'Captured by kids' is a publication that celebrates the first ten years of the New South Wales Commission for Children and Young People -- the commission was established in June 1999 after the proclamation on 31 May of the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998. "The Commission acts as an engine room for reaching kids, gaining their views and perspectives, and marshalling this and other evidence to influence laws, policies, regulations and practices affecting kids", for example, through their Young People's Reference Group. See: http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/uploads/documents/CapturedByKids.pdf (PS an update to page 28 of the report: NSW's new Commissioner for Children and Young People is now Gaye Phillips.)

RURAL YOUTH

Heywire for rural youth

Heywire is open to young people aged 16 to 22 years of age who create their own story about life in Australia outside the major cities. The story can be created in any form of media: text, video and audio. Successful stories are presented on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, through ABC Radio, triple j and abc.net.au Winners also get to attend the Heywire Forum in Canberra in February 2010. More at: http://blogs.abc.net.au/heywire/competition-heywire.html

SEXUAL HEALTH

Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2008: Results of the 4th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students, HIV/ AIDS and Sexual Health

This study, published by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and funded by the Federal Government Department of Health and Ageing, involved nearly 3,000 Year 10 and Year 12 students from more than 100 secondary schools (in the government, Catholic and Independent school systems) in every jurisdiction in Australia.

The key findings are arranged under the key themes of knowledge, behaviour and health. This is the fourth time that the survey of secondary students and sexual health has been conducted in Australia. The report's authors make this important point:

"The release of these data frequently gives rise to publicity around the more negative aspects of the findings and to community concern arising from them. It is therefore important to note that young people, in the main, manage their sexual health very well. They generally make good decisions about their sexual behaviour. If they are sexually active, they generally participate in safe sexual encounters about which they are largely pleased and well informed. It is important that policymakers and educators drawing on these data for future work are mindful of this conclusion. School programs which are currently in place are working well and valued by students; support given to young people to make their own decisions is well rewarded. Teachers and parents generally appear to be addressing this frequently challenging area with some success. The 2008 questionnaire included a number of the questions asked in the 2002 survey for comparative purposes, but also included new items pertaining to knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, vaccination status for cervical cancer and marijuana use."

The survey's introduction gives a helpful overview of the survey's history. In 1992, when the first of this series of surveys was conducted, it was not clear that Australia would escape a generalised HIV epidemic. Heightened concern about HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices was the "driving force for the survey construction and choice of items to be included and is reflected in the focus on sexual behaviours and condom use". In the second survey in 1997, the focus shifted slightly to other issues related to sexual health and blood-borne viruses, especially hepatitis C, leading to inclusion of questions in the survey about contraception and knowledge of hepatitis transmission and sexual attraction. The third iteration of the survey tapped into other concerns, such as the age of first sexual experience and pregnancy. The present survey, as with the previous iterations, reflects "two competing forces: the need to ask the same questions in each survey in order to be able to make inferences about how young people are changing with the passing of time; and, a desire to include as much as possible that reflects current concerns."

Full details: 'Secondary students and sexual health 2008', by Anthony Smith, Paul Agius, Anne Mitchell, Catherine Barrett and Marian Pitts, monograph series n.70, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, 2009, ISBN 9781921377709, 2009. PDF at: http://webstat.latrobe.edu.au/c.latrobe?nm=http://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/assets/downloads/reports/SSASH_2008_Final_Report.pdf Contact the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society (ARCSHS), ph: (03) 9285 5382; fax (03) 9285 5220, email: arcshs@latrobe.edu.au, web: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs

SOCIAL ISSUES

The social inclusion agenda and the not-for-profit sector: national compact

The Australian Government, as part of its social inclusion agenda, is exploring ways to develop a national compact, an agreement between the Australian Government and the non-profit sector, outlining how the two will work together to improve and strengthen their relationship. "In other countries, a national compact is used to provide a framework for building capacity in the sector to manage change and as a platform for helping to design policies and programs that help to achieve outcomes that are part of shared policy priorities. Similar agreements are already in place in some Australian states and territories." The National Compact Joint Task Force will begin its next round of consultations soon. The online forum, Have a Voice - Online consultation for a National Compact, was launched on 3 August 2009 to help the government "learn about you and your organisation, and what a national compact would mean to you and the people you work with". A consultation paper is available online, and submissions can be made via: http://www.socialinclusion.gov.au/compact/Pages/default.aspx. Alternatively, submissions can be sent via email to: australiancompact@fahcsia.gov.au or via post to: National Compact Section, PO Box 7576, Canberra Business Centre, ACT 2610; fax: (02) 6204 7423. (Source: Auseinet, http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/noticeboard/ausei90.php)

Community Building National Network

In June 2007, following a national symposium, 'Community building: Critical voices, alternative strategies', a national network of community builders was formed to connect community leaders, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and others interested in authentic community building work. At their June 2009 conference, 'Natural neighbourhoods, real communities', the network adopted a number of social inclusion initiatives, outlined on their website at: http://www.civilsociety.org.au/CommunityBuilding.htm

SUICIDE PREVENTION

Getting the message on suicide prevention to rural and regional Australia

The Rural Health Education Foundation, RHEF, broadcast a program on suicidal motivation and prevalence in rural and remote communities on Tuesday 25 August through a live webcast from http://www.rhef.com.au/program-1/?program_id=385. The program, which can also be purchased as a DVD, recognised the importance of early intervention and promoted the use and implementation of the national strategic framework, Living is For Everyone: A Framework for Prevention of Suicide in Australia. That framework encourages national action to prevent suicide and promote mental health and resilience across the Australian population. The program explored the role of primary health care professionals in rural practice and the importance of recognition and treatment of depression and other suicidal risk factors. It also examined protective factors and the relationship between good physical and psychological health and suicide prevention. Speakers included Dr Norman Swan, Ms Adele Cox, Prof. Diego De Leo, Mr Tony Gee and Dr David Pierce. (Source: RHEF website, http://www.rhef.com.au/program-1/?program_id=385, and the Auseinet website, http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/noticeboard/ausei90.php)

Call for input into the 'Building Connections' project (Victoria)

The Community Services and Health Industry Training Board (the Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB) for Victoria's community services and health industry, http://www.intraining.org.au) is calling for input into a planned workplace skills development project, 'Building Connections'. The project will study the opportunities for skills development in the VET system and the reforms announced in the Securing Jobs for Your Future, Skills for Victoria policy. By working with small to large organisations in the not-for-profit, public and private sectors, the project will also help support the expansion of local community services and health networks. The Community Services and Health Industry Training Board will broker relationships between services, organisations and Registered Training Organisations by developing resources and information and distributing these to enterprises across the sector. The resources will outline the reforms to the training sector, and explain how organisations might use the new system to support workforce development. To participate in this project, contact Lisa Thomas, Project Officer, Community Services & Health Industry Training Board Victoria, ph: (03) 9347 0377, fax: (03) 9347 0464, email: lisa@intraining.org.au, http://www.intraining.org.au

VIOLENCE

Plan to reduce violence against women and children

The winter 2009 edition of the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse newsletter features a summary of the 'Time for action' report released earlier this year by the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women. Last year, the council was appointed by the Australian Government to provide "advice on the development of an evidence-based National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children". Accordingly, the 'Time for action' report outlines six key outcome areas for reducing this type of violence in the community and makes a total of 20 recommendations for urgent action. The newsletter also provides a brief summary of the Australian Government's immediate response to these recommendations for urgent action. These two publications and other related publications can be found at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/women/pubs/violence/np_time_for_action/Pages/default.aspx (Source: 'Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter', n.37, winter 2009, pp.2, 8-10.)

NZ The Next project uses hip hop to get the message across that violence is not OK

The Next, in collaboration with New Zealand's Ministry of Social Development, is continuing with their 'It's not OK' message by using graffiti and hip hop culture to explore young people's perceptions of family violence and abuse. (Source: New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) newsletter, 'NZAAHD e update', n.184, 21 August 2009, http://www.nzaahd.org.nz/, citing http://globaled.org.nz/gecnews/news.php?show=1&ed=150#578)

Solving the jigsaw: Changing the culture of violence, building a culture of wellbeing

This is a Victorian training and professional development program for school personnell -- teachers, Year level co-ordinators, primary welfare officers, wellbeing co-ordinators and assistant principals and principals or anyone with a key role in student wellbeing and welfare in schools. The program provides practical tools and strategies for a whole school approach to violence, bullying and well being, and is most effective when a team from a school participate. For details, contact Angela McEwen, School Focused Youth Service Coordinator, Monash Youth and Family Services, email: AngelaM@monash.vic.gov.au, web: http://www.myfs.org.au

YOUTH AFFAIRS

'State of Australia's Young People'

To mark International Youth Day, the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, Kate Ellis presented an address to the National Press Club in Canberra in which she reviewed the achievements of the Australian Government in relation to youth over the last year. She also presented a snapshot of the upcoming inaugural report, 'State of Australia's Young People'. The report will describe how young people in Australia are faring and identify those who may need additional support to do well. The report snapshot shows that:

* One in four young Australians aged 16-24 years old have a mental health disorder with young people.

* More than a quarter of Year 8 Australian students report knowing someone who has been cyber-bullied.

* Young people are more likely than others to be affected by particular crimes, such as violence.

* Of all age groups, those aged 15-19 years had the highest hospitalisation rates for acute intoxication from alcohol.

For more details, see http://www.youth.gov.au/ or see the Minister's media release at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_090813_080656.aspx

The State of Affairs for Young People and Workers in Victoria: YACVic's 2009 State Conference

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) are holding a state-wide conference, 'Here, Now and Next: The State of Affairs for Young People and Workers in Victoria', on 14-15 October 2009 at the Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre.

This is an important conference for youth workers and young people, for educators, community development workers, local government workers, psychologists, policymakers, researchers and academics -- those with youth issues at heart. "YACVic has a long history of putting on excellent conferences for young people and the sector that supports them. Don't miss this opportunity to meet with your peers, discuss, debate, learn, inspire and be inspired." Earlybird registrations close on 31 August. To receive regular updates and information about the conference, get onto the conference e-list by emailing info@yacvic.org.au with the subject heading, "Conference 2009". More at: http://www.yacvic.org.au/sector/detail-participation.chtml?filename_num=281959

Changes to Youth Allowance

FAQs about the changes to Youth Allowance are on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Youth/Pages/youthallowanceotherFAQ.aspx

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, met with students from around Australia to discuss the proposed changes to Youth Allowance at Parliament House on Monday 24 August 2009. Details on the DEEWR website, at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_090821_073514.aspx