$83,000 in funding for Indigenous youth leadership

Indigenous young people from rural and regional Victoria will benefit from an $83,000 Australian Government initiative, which will see 10 youth leaders hold various activities in their own communities to assist access to mainstream services, Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion, said today.

Senator Scullion launched the initiative, ‘Where are you mob at? Indigenous Young People’s experiences with mainstream organisations‘, while giving the opening speech at the National Youth Affairs Conference in Melbourne this morning.

‘This approach recognises the role that young people play in the community and the importance of supporting youth participation and youth leadership. Who better to help guide the direction of youth services than young people?

‘This initiative will assist mainstream youth service providers to be more responsive, appropriate and accessible to Indigenous needs.

‘Following their participation at the National Youth Conference, ten young people will undertake a range of activities in their local communities throughout Victoria to identify specific measures to address engagement and access issues.

‘The results will provide youth services with a clear indication of what is needed and contribute immediately to material on mainstream servicing issues.

‘Providing a voice for young Indigenous people is important to the Australian Government, which uses a range of consultative mechanisms including the National Youth Roundtable.

‘The National Youth Roundtable currently includes 12 Indigenous young people and is an excellent example of the Australian Government’s commitment to the wellbeing, engagement and leadership outcomes of Indigenous young people.

‘Valuable contributions from peak youth bodies attending today’s conference, together with input from young people will have a positive impact in communities well into the future,’ Senator Scullion said.