Released 22/08/2019
Minister for Children, Youth and Families today tabled the ACT Government response to the 2018 ACT Youth Assembly report.
In September last year, 116 young people participated in the ACT Youth Assembly. The Assembly was a deliberative democratic process designed to draw out key ideas and policy recommendations. The goal was also to encourage the direct participation of young Canberrans aged 12 to 25 in discussing four contemporary issues. These four issues, each of which had its own forum were:
- Youth Mental Health;
- Homelessness and Young People;
- Youth Civic Participation and Equality; and
- Equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People.
Following these forums, 29 recommendations were made by the young Canberrans to the ACT Government.
Recommendations included several initiatives to improve and advocate on the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Canberra, to create a more inclusive Canberra for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and ideas to better engage with young people on government policy and reform.
Minister Stephen-Smith said the 2018 ACT Youth Assembly and the ACT Government response to the Youth Assembly Report reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to improving policy, services and programs for young Canberrans.
"We have been working across many areas to meet the current and emerging needs of young people in Canberra. A lot of this work aligns with the recommendations made. In particular, the recent commitment of $480,000 to work with the Youth Coalition.
"The Government will continue to work to respond to the diverse needs of young people across our community, as well as welcoming and encouraging their participation in all aspects of community life.
"Thank you to the members of the ACT Youth Advisory Council for their ongoing commitment to improving the lives of young people in Canberra and their hard work in organising the Youth Assembly and preparing this report."
Shaylah McClymont, Co-Chair, Youth Advisory Council said "I am pleased that young Canberrans are able to contribute to shaping programs, services and policies that affect them. I look forward to seeing how the 2018 ACT Youth Assembly Report addresses the needs of young people in our community."
To access the 2018 ACT Youth Assembly report and ACT Government response visit, www.communityservices.act.gov.au/youth/youth-interact/consultation
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases
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