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Inspire Student Activism is a 4 week program designed to give new university age students they skills and experience they need to be lasting change agents on their campuses.
Applications close on the 6th of March, CLICK HERE to submit one.
The Schools Reconciliation Challenge is now open for entries for young people aged 10-16.
The art competition will be running in the lead up to Reconciliation Week (27 May-June) and it is a fantastic way to engage young people about what reconciliation means and how they can contribute positively to Australian society.
Winning artworks will be framed and exhibited at the Australian Museum from Reconciliation Week to NAIDOC week (1 July-8 July). The winning artists will also get to attend the launch event with a guardian.
The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) will be hosting a Constitutional Recognition Forum for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians from the 14th-17th March. The organisation is currently calling for young Indigenous Australians from all around the nation to participate in this valuable experience.
2011 was a very busy and productive year for AYAC's board, staff and members. Our Annual Report highlights AYAC's achievements and future aspirations.
The ING Foundation has opened applications for their latest grants program. There are three grants of up to $25,000 available to charities that are seeking funding for initiatives that aim to assist young people in realising their potential.
“ING DIRECT is keen to help groups who are doing great work in the community. We look forward to furthering the efforts of the three worthy recipients,” said ING DIRECT CEO, Don Koch.
Jessica Irvine, from the Sydney Morning Herald, has reported today that “Three out of four students receiving youth allowance and Commonwealth rent assistance still live in housing stress”. Community sector organisation Australians for Affordable Housing, is asking the federal government to act swiftly to relieve an estimated 100,000 private renters of their renting pressures. Indicating that this can be achieved by a 30 percent increase in the budget for rent assistance.
Have you been looking for ways to deepen your climate advocacy in 2012? If you have, then there's no better way to start than by joining campaigners from around the country for a fun and informative weekend...
AYAC was pleased to be able to provide support to the 2011 United Nations Youth Representative, Benson Saulo. The project is funded under the Australian Youth Forum Initiative on behalf of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Since May 5 2011 Benson has traveled throughout Australia, Zurich, Switzerland and experienced a 3 month stay in New York City during the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Throughout his travels Benson attended and hosted various youth forums to gain a deeper understanding on the issues affecting youth today.
Leading NGOs Join Forces in Calling for a National Children’s Commissioner
Nearly 40 of Australia’s leading national children and youth support organisations are today celebrating the release of an NGO Positions Paper on the role and functions of a National Children’s Commissioner.
The need for a National Children's Commissioner has long been voiced by organisations in Australia working with children and young people, and is one of Australia's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This need has been recognised recently by the Australian Children Rights Taskforce, chaired by UNICEF and the National Children's and Youth Law Centre in their submission to the UN CRC Committee (tabled as the Listen to Children Report and signed onto by over 98 Australian organisations who work with and for children).
CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians, Jan Owen AM, has released an editorial piece called “NEVER TOO LATE: Renewing the ties that bind with our teenagers these holidays”
Ms Owen’s article addresses the “limited, poor quality communication between the generations”, and stresses the need for parents to connect with their own children – and the children of others – in meaningful, often unmediated, ways.
According to a new organisation, the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre (YAW-CRC), young Australians are at crisis point because of a technological generation gap. The centre has been established to investigate the role of technology in young people’s lives and how it can be used to improve the mental health and wellbeing of 12 to 25 year olds.
AYAC supports the Australian Labour Party in their move to commit to appoint a National Children's Commissioner. The amendment was made from the floor of the ALP National Conference over the weekend, receiving strong support.
AYAC understands the critical need for a National Children’s Commissioner, and has been working closely with leading NGO's to progress the issue.
Minister for Youth Peter Garrett today announced the members of the 2012 Australian Youth Forum (AYF) Steering Committee. It will provide a link between the Australian Government and young people.
“I will be seeking their advice on the future development of the Australian Youth Forum, as well as their views on how best to build our interactions with young people, in particular those who face barriers to participation." Mr Garrett said.
A trial program that will see teenage parents forced to finish Year 12 or risk having their welfare payments cut when their baby turns one was made law by federal parliament last week. AYAC is concerned about the mandatory nature of the policy and the threat facing young people of losing vital basic income support.
Media Release - 30 November
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) - Australia’s national voice for young people and the youth support sector – today called on ALP members to listen to young people as they head into this year’s national conference. “Young people want to see a socially progressive government that is willing to take action on the important issues of our time” says AYAC’s Executive Director, Andrew Cummings.
The Federal Government is currently reviewing the definition of ‘charity’ in order to introduce a standard definition of ‘charity’ that will apply across all Commonwealth laws in Australia from 1 July 2013. AYAC is committed to advocating for and supporting the needs of youth led organisations.
Media Release - 27 October 2011
AYAC today joined with the Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) to call for fair and equitable resourcing of youth services in rural and remote communities
MEDIA RELEASE - 19th October 2011: AYAC Urges Government to Re-Think Indigenous Truancy Policy
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) - the peak body representing Australia’s young people and the youth support sector – today raised serious concern regarding the announcement of the implementation of compulsory income management or welfare cuts to parents in Indigenous communities whose children don’t attend school. AYAC’s concerns add weight to similar fears raised by various organisations and community groups in recent weeks.
AYAC congratulates the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, the Hon Peter Garrett on recent announcements for a new advisory group on school students with disability and a commitment of $30 million dollars in funding to help more schools close the gap.
AYAC today congratulated the Federal Government for making significant changes to the National School Chaplaincy Program based on responses from the community.
“AYAC is heartened by Minister Garrett’s statement today that the Program will be extended to include secular youth and welfare workers. We are also very pleased that minimum qualifications will be introduced, requiring all new chaplains to complete a Certificate IV in Youth Work or an equivalent qualification. We are particularly pleased that the Minister has placed a strong emphasis on the quality and value of qualified youth workers in schools”, said Andrew Cummings, Executive Director of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition.
This year's theme is: Play Your Part to keep children safe.
"The world is full of hard knocks. So change the world" Hard Knock Life is a conference focussing on youth participation, will be taking place in Melbourne on 9-10 September.
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) today urged the Federal Government to continue with its reform agenda in tackling difficult issues such as global warming. AYAC urged the Prime Minister not to cave in to a small but vocal proportion of the population, who are putting pressure on the government to back down on important social and environmental changes.
The Australian Government is currently doing an evaluation of the Australian Youth Forum (AYF). The AYF is one of the key ways the Australian Government engages young people to participate in public discussions through online discussion boards and events, and the AYF wants to hear from you!
(by Reece Harley)
Are you sick of the sneering, cat-calls and negativity? Are you just a little bit fed up with shortsighted “policy development” which sometimes more closely resembles a stream-of-consciousness, back-of-the-napkin mode of governing?
We think we might just have a solution... Let me explain it to you. The Left Right Think Tank is proud to announce the launch of its Policy Fellowship for 2011, our key initiative to engage young people in public policy and foster a society that seeks and embraces the ideas of young people.
AYAC is excited to announce the release of our new Strategic Plan! The plan commenced on 1st July 2011, and outlines our vision for the next four years, until June 30th 2015.
This is AYAC’s first strategic plan since being funded by the Federal Government in recognition of our role as the national youth affairs peak body, and is a critical document in presenting a clear plan for the coming years. The plan is based on five strategic areas, upon which we will focus our work for the coming years.
AYAC today opened applications for the Commonwealth Youth Forum to be held in Western Australia from October 23-27 for young people 18 – 29 years.
30 young people from all walks of life, and from all across the country will be chosen to represent Australia at the forum with young attendees from other Commonwealth nations. The Forum is an important part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and gives Australian young people the opportunity share their views at an international level. It also provides an excellent learning opportunity about the Commonwealth and the chance to develop new skills.
Find out more information about the Commonwealth Youth Forum!
In May-June 2011, AYAC held the first national youth affairs conference in over 4 years. Feedback from the delegates has been collated, and available for your perusal!
Every school in Australia will be provided with new information packs to help promote positive body image and create supportive school environments, Minister for Youth Peter Garrett said today.
AYAC congratulates the Federal Government for this week's announcement of it's plan to put a price on carbon emissions, invest in renewable energy and launch an independent authority to focus on climate policy.
The ‘Listen to Children’ 2011 Child Rights NGO Report is the NGO Report on how Australia is tracking in meetings its obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC). It details the current situation as well as being a call to action for the future.
AYAC was involved with the Child Rights Taskforce - a group of non-government organisations who contributed and advised on the format and content of the report. AYAC also provided expert advice in areas such as youth participation.
AYAC supports the government's move to fund initiatives that expand Clontarf Foundation.
2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The Australian Youth Forum is running a discussion topic on refugee youth issues to get the views of young Australians, specifically refugee young people.
For details checkout the AYF young refugees page
AYAC calls on the government to rethink its punitive approach to vulnerable Australians in the welfare system.
On 17 June, the Government announced that Social Security Legislation Amendment (Jobseeker Compliance) Bill 2011 was passed by the Parliament. We know that young people and newly arrived migrants are two groups who are most affected by these changes.
Over 300,000 students will be asked to rate the nation’s vocational education and training system in the coming months as the Student Outcomes Survey begins.
AYF have a dedicated space on their website for you to have a say. Discussion topics are a chance for you to have a say and be heard about issues and policy matters being considered by the Australian Government.
The Australian youth sector will ‘interrupt transmission’ for the next three days as they gather for the first National youth sector conference since 2007.
AYAC Executive Director, Andrew Cummings said that the three-day event also provides a chance to reflect on the position of young people and the youth sector.
Young people with disabilities are struggling to access and participate in education free from bullying and discrimination, according to a survey undertaken by the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC).
AYAC supports the Australian Human Rights Commission call for all Australians to participate in this very important national conversation.
"Constitutional recognition can only improve the trust and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia and for that reason alone it has the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives" Commission President Catherine Branson QC said.
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) - the peak body representing Australia’s young people and the youth support sector – today called for changes to the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP), adding weight to concerns raised by various organisations and community groups in recent weeks.
The Code of Ethics debate in Australia is not new. While many youth workers, peak bodies and academics have embraced the concept, others have not. Because Australia has not enjoyed a funded national peak body for youth affairs for over a decade, it is timely that the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) leads the debate at a federal level.
How the debate will work
AYAC is hosting the debate, right here, right now. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you will find 6 documents from people across the country summarising their position on the adoption of a Code of Ethics; three people argue ‘for’ the Code and three people argue ‘against’.
Have a read of these and then jump in and add your own two cents (agree – or not – with someone else’s comment or reply to someone’s argument – you’ll need to specify their name/handle to do this). Remember, this is a unique opportunity to debate this topic on a national level, so having your say is important, whether you are a practitioner, an academic, or just someone who happens to be passionate about this issue. We also strongly suggest you look at other national Codes of Ethics, such as the Australian Psychological Society’s http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/Code_Ethics_2007.pdf and the Australian Association of Social Workers http://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/740.
Finally we would ask that you respect your colleague’s opinions and respect the House Rules of this debate.
The story so far
It is hard to untangle the pros and cons of a national Code of Ethics. Below we summarise key points taken from Bessant’s article Youth Work: The Loch Ness Monster and Professionalism.(Youth Studies Australia, vol. 23, n.4, pp26-33.). (for more information on Judith Bessant's views on a Code of Ethics please read Aristotle Meets Youth Work: A Case for Virtue Ethics, Journal of Youth Studies, Vol. 12 No 4, pp. 425- 440.)
Why we should have a Code of Ethics:
- A code of ethics helps to clarify and articulate core values, acceptable practice and professional boundaries.
- It can identify and prevent corrupt practices.
- It can articulate a duty of care, help prevent the abuse of power, and protect the wellbeing of young people in care.
- It can secure and restore public trust in youth workers.
- The existence of a code of ethics means that ignorance cannot be used to defend activities that can harm young people.
- A code of ethics, especially if it had a disciplinary capacity, can provide an official process to deal with unethical conduct.
Why we shouldn’t have a Code of Ethics:
- Imposing a code of practice is itself may be considered unethical because it imposes moral requirements and in doing so overrides the individual’s right and need to act according to their conscience.
- It can remove the worker’s ‘rightful’ entitlements to exercise professional judgement.
- It is very difficult, if not impossible, to identify an agreed-upon set of values in the context of a multicultural, pluralistic society.
- A code of ethics will not stop unethical conduct.
- It sets up a watchdog or policing mechanism that can become cumbersome and/or oppressive.
Unsurprisingly, the debate varies across all states and territories, as summarised below,
NSW: In 2004, YAPA endorsed the Fairbridge Code of Ethics, having conducted a census of youth services in NSW in 2002 which found that 80% supported work towards a state / national code. Since then, YAPA has used its publications, online communications and training to support discussions about ethical practice in youth work, and YAPA looks forward to NSW services taking part in discussions led by AYAC towards a national code.
VIC: In Victoria YACVic is very proud to have developed a Code of Ethical Practice, following an extensive consultation process with youth workers, youth service organisations, youth work educators, employers of youth workers and young people themselves.
WA: Western Australia was the first State in Australia to introduce a Youth Work Code of Ethics, published in 2001 it has become a reference point both nationally and internationally. YACWA's continues to support ongoing discussions in Western Australia regarding professionalisation and adherence to a code of ethics and partner in this process with the WA Youth Work Association.
SA: The South Australian youth sector has expressed a wish for ongoing dialogue around ensuring that ethical practice has a place in youth work in SA. Whether this is achieved through the development of a series of resources intended to embed ethical standards of practice within organisations, a code of ethics, or through other means, will be the focus of ongoing consultation and engagement with the sector.
NT: There has been no work done in the NT around a code of ethics for the youth sector. Perhaps this debate will help kick start a move toward this.
QLD: Recent debate over whether, or not, to adopt a Code of Ethics for youth work has been characterised by an uncritical assumption that having a code is a good thing … that it will automatically produce more ethical practice or protect against unethical practice. In 2007 YANQ released a paper titled: 'Conservatising Youth Work? :Dangers of adopting a code of Ethics" written by Suzi Quixley and Siyavash Doostkhah, in consultation with youth workers in Queensland. This paper challenges these assumptions and puts an alternate point of view about how ethical practice can be achieved in work with young people.
TAS: At the beginning of 2011, the Youth Network of Tasmania convened a working group of sector representatives to research Australian and international codes. The WA code will be the basis for a Tasmanian Code of Ethics, which will be updated and adapted following extensive sector consultation in the coming year.
ACT: In 2003 the Youth Work Code of Ethics (ACT) was agreed to by the sector and launched at the Youth Coalition of the ACT’s biannual conference. Professional Ethics and Youth Work: A Model for Strengthening Youth Work Practice in the ACT. This code of ethics, modelled closely on the West Australian code, provided an early foundation for identifying what might be the distinctive values, goals and aspirations of youth work in the ACT.
Today, 17th May 2011, is The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). To help celebrate, AYAC staffers uploaded a photo to 'This is Oz'...
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) - the peak body representing Australia’s young people and the youth support sector – today renewed its call to the Federal Government to establish a National Children’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. AYAC’s call follows the release of the report by the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Standing Committee, recommending that the Bill introduced by Green’s Senator Sarah Hanson-Young not be passed.
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition’s Executive Director, Andrew Cummings, has become an Ambassador for National Families Week 2011 - Australia’s main celebration of the importance of families.
Associate Professor Jane Burns's, CEO of the new YAW-CRC, media release commented on the welcome increase in resourcing for youth mental health, which prioritises remote communities and inclusion the most vulnerable young people.
Last nights budget has both good and bad elements for young people in Australia, according to the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC). “Whilst the budget includes some positive developments for young people and their families, there were also areas of strong concern and missed opportunities” says AYAC’s Executive Director, Andrew Cummings...
An alliance of leading union, social, environment and research organisations have unveiled a combined policy platform designed to lay the necessary foundations for Australia’s transition to a low-carbon pollution economy
“There is no doubt Australia’s future economic and environmental security requires the Federal Government taking action to reduce carbon pollution and grow cleaner industries,” said ACTU President Ged Kearney.
Full media release...
Andrew Cummings, AYAC's Executive Director, was interviewed by community radio station, The Wire, about the changes in the upcoming budget and how it might impact young mums.
In February 2011, AYACs Maia Giordano sat on the expert panel at the 2011 Heywire Youth Issues Forum.The 2011 Heywire Winners have now released a report on how to make life better for young people in regional Australia...
AYAC congratulates Benson Saulo, as the first Indigenous Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations.
Bursary information for AYAC's 2011 national youth conference is now available! Applications are now being encouraged - so check it out.
Hot off the press!
The program for the AYAC 2011 national youth conference, 'Interrupting Transmission: youth | change | policy | practice' is now available on our website!
If you hadn't had a chance to browse the rest of the conference pages, there is plenty of fresh information awaiting.
Recently AYAC submitted a response to the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety inquiry into cyber safety issues affecting children and young people.
We are pleased to announce the committee will be consulting directly with young people, and have created a survey to that effect....
Youth Homelessness Matters is about raising the public awareness about youth homelessness and to celebrate the resilience of young people who are experiencing homelessness in Australia. Nearly half of all homeless Australians are children and young people under the age of 25
Same Same is staging a revolt! For the next week, Same Same wants to take a break from the status quo and really shine a light on the amazing work that our younger audience can bring to the table.
Check out what Same Same are doing for Youth Week
National Youth Week officially kicks off today with thousands of events happening all over the country until April 10th; many of them run by young people for young people.
Check out what AYAC is doing to celebrate - click here!
AYAC calls on the Federal Government to reverse plans to cut payments as soon as welfare recipients miss a Centrelink or JSA interview. This call follows 5 labour MPs who condemned the legislation as 'unfair and draconian.'
Young people in receipt of benefits are one of the groups most likely to adversely affected by the legislation. AYAC is part of a Centrelink Working Group that is looking into the reasons and barriers for non-attendance.
Head over to http://www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/ to see more info.
Inspire Student Activism is a 4 week program designed to give new university age students they skills and experience they need to be lasting change agents on their campuses.
Applications close on the 6th of March, CLICK HERE to submit one.