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 Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network
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What is the CMY Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network?
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Update on the next Statewide Network meeting
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Report from the last Statewide Network meeting
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Summary of previous Statewide Network meetings
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Contact CMY's Sector Development Project Officer
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What is the CMY Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network?
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CMY's Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network (SMYIN) provides a regular forum for people working with young people of diverse backgrounds to meet and share knowledge and experience. The Statewide meetings (three per year on different topics) help to promote partnerships and build collaborative work. Relevant issues and concerns are canvassed and documented, as a record and to contribute to an evidence-base for action.
If you would like to be notified of upcoming SMYIN meetings, email your contact details to info@cmyi.net.au or call (03) 9340 3700.
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Update on the next Statewide Network meeting
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Engaging refugee and migrant young people around mental health: Exploring strategies that work – Thursday 16 October
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In 2006, a Victorian mental health study indicated that people from non-English speaking countries were under-represented in specialist mental health services. It was suggested that this was due to service barriers and a lack of community awareness rather than a lower prevalence of mental illness (Stolk et al, 2008).
The October Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network (SMYIN) meeting will provide an opportunity for youth and settlement workers, as well as mental health services, to come together to explore what can and does work in engaging refugee and migrant young people around mental health issues.
Presentations will explore the cultural imensions of mental illness and mental health; issues faced by refugee and migrant young people in dealing with mental health issues; and avenues to develop more inclusive and accessible mental health services.
Participants will be invited to discuss strategies that could be used to engage with refugee and migrant young people around mental health issues. These ‘good practice strategies’ will be documented and used by Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC) to inform the ongoing work of the sector.
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Date: Thursday 16 October
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Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
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Location: Co.As.It. (189 Faraday Street, Carlton)
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 download invite (241kb)
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RSVP: CMY on (03) 9340 3700 or info@cmy.net.au by Monday 13 October.
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Report from the last Statewide Network meeting
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International students in our community – Thursday 26 June 2008
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The second Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network meeting of 2008 was on the topic of international students and community connection.
The forum provided an opportunity to hear speakers and explore questions such as:
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- What are some of the issues and challenges facing international students in our community?
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- How are services responding to this group of young people?
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- What can be done, and what more should we know?
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Download CMYI Report on SMYIN 'International students in our community' meeting as PDF (265kb)
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Speakers included:
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- Cr David Wilson (City of Melbourne Councillor and Chair of Community Services)
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- Mr Adrian Burrage (University of Melbourne’s Manager of Student Housing)
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- Mr Danny Ong (Monash University researcher, former international student and 2004-05 President of Monash University International Student Services)
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Following the presentations, participants contributed ideas through a workshop facilitated by Mr Alex Caldwell of Strategic Dimensions, using the innovative Zing technology. A synopsis of this workshop is included in the meeting report.
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"Young people become at risk because of a lack of connectedness to community, family, peers or significant other… Education providers and the general community need to build climates where international students feel they are able to seek assistance, and that if they do, the service is appropriate to their needs."
| | Gail Baker & Ken Hawkins - in Australian Universities Review May 2006 - p.21-3 |
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Further reading:
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- Victoria welcomes record number of overseas students (Victorian Government media release, 22 March 2007)
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Reports from previous CMYI Statewide Network meetings
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Being “in-between”: Projects engaging second generation young people
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February 2008
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The first SMYIN meeting of 2008 was held on Thursday 28 February, on the topic of good projects engaging second generation young people.
The forum provided an opportunity to learn more about second-generation young people and we showcased some positive projects that are running. We explored questions such as:
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- What are the circumstances and needs of second generation young people?
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- What can we learn from programs currently assisting these young people?
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Speakers included:
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- Dr Steve Francis, Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues
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- Dr Liza Hopkins, Swinburne University of Technology
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- Ms Dakhylina Madkhul, Noble Park English Language School
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- Ms Kate Gillick, Victorian Arabic Social Services’ Anti Racism Action Band (A.R.A.B.)
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- Ms Hoai Anh Nguyen, Australian Vietnamese Women’s Welfare Association
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- Ms Grace Vanilau, Brown Roots Pacific Arts Collective
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- Mr Michael Mawal, Australian Lebanese Welfare
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For further information about the content and outcomes of the meeting, please see the attached Meeting paper.
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Download CMYI Report on SMYIN 'Being “in-between”: Projects engaging second generation young people' meeting as PDF (158kb)
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Read a report of the meeting by Kirsten McGavin on the Youth Affairs Network of Queensland website
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'I'm not racist, but...': Are we effectively tackling racism and discrimination in schools?
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October 2007
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CMYI’s third SMYIN Meeting of 2007 was held on 25 October at CO.AS.IT in Carlton and explored themes and strategies for addressing racism and discrimination in Victorian schools. Over 120 participants representing a wide range of community, education and government organisations attended the forum.
Keynote speakers included:Kim Webster, Senior Program Advisor at VicHealth and author of More than tolerance: Embracing diversity for health, and Associate Professor Fethi Mansouri, Director of the Research Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University. Kim spoke about key findings from VicHealth’s research into the links between discrimination and negative health outcomes, including the impact of discrimination on young people’s psycho-social development. A/Prof Mansouri spoke about his research regarding students of Arabic speaking backgrounds and their experiences of racism and discrimination in two Melbourne secondary schools. He also highlighted new resources and strategies to promote multicultural education that is inclusive and responsive to students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Keynote addresses were followed by a panel discussion involving speakers offering different perspectives on strategies and gaps in tackling racism and discrimination within the school context. Panel speakers included: Kavitha Chandra-Shekeran (Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission), Lynn Pickles (Multicultural Education, Department of Education & Early Childhood Development), Lesley Hyde (Schools as Core Social Centres, Catholic Education Office), Dayane Stanovic (Western Young People’s Independent Network), and Mohammed El-leissy (Project R.A.C.E, CMYI).
For more information on discussions and presentations (including links) from this SMYIN forum, download the Forum Report.
CMYI will use the information gathered from this forum, as well as from follow-up consultations and a review of current literature, to develop a discussion paper and series of recommendations. This policy discussion paper will be available from the CMYI website in 2008.
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Download CMYI Report on SMYIN 'Tackling Racism and discrimination in schools' meeting as PDF (180kb)
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Download Kim Webster's Presentation as PDF (96kb)
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Download Fethi Mansouri's Presentation as PDF (400kb)
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A Code of Ethical Practice for youth workers in Victoria: How will this impact on our work with young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds?
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June 2007
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The second SMYIN Meeting of 2007 provided an opportunity for those working in the multicultural youth sector to discuss the introduction of a Code of Ethical Practice for youth workers in Victoria. Earlier this year, the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria released a draft Code, and discussions held at the recent National Youth Conference indicate that Victoria may follow the lead of states such as Western Australia in introducing a Code of Ethical Practice.
“A Code will provide workers and agencies with a statement of both ethical principals, workers boundaries and practices giving us a guide that outlines a set of values to inform our professional practice” (Child Safety Commissioner October 2006)
The SMYIN meeting, held on 28 June 2007 at CO.AS.IT (189 Faraday Street, Carlton), was attended by 39 representatives from organisations ranging from local, state and federal government, multicultural and community organisations, police, sports, higher education, community legal and performing arts. Speakers included: Carmel Guerra (CMYI), Bernie Geary (Child Safety Commissioner), Jen Rose (YACVic), Heather Steward (Australian Catholic University), Tim Corney (University of Melbourne) and Nancy Badr (South Eastern Region MRC).
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Download CMYI Report on SMYIN Code of Ethical Practice meeting as PDF (161Kb)
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Young people and the role of inter-faith dialogue in promoting social harmony
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April 2007
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The first SMYIN Meeting of 2007 explored the theme of young people and the role of inter-faith dialogue in promoting social harmony.
The SMYIN meeting, held at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre (210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne), was attended by over 70 people. Representatives included those from: local and state government, community and religious organisations, youth and multicultural services, Police and higher education institutions (University and TAFE).
A report from the SMYIN meeting is now available, along with the presentation slides from speaker Joseph A. Camilleri, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for Dialogue, La Trobe University. The topic of Professor Camilleri's presentation was 'Interfaith Dialogue in Today's Australia.'
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Download CMYI Report on SMYIN interfaith dialogue meeting as PDF (132Kb)
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Download Professor Camilleri's presentation as PDF (1.8Mbs)
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CLD Young People and Housing: The need for a holistic service approach
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June 2006
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On 22 June, participants the SMYIN meeting explored issues relating to housing, housing support services and culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) young people in Victoria. The meeting provided a forum for discussion around what is working well in the housing sector (good practice) as well as the gaps and barriers facing young people accessing housing and support services in general.
Three housing support services that work extensively with CLD young people – Footscray Youth Housing Group, WISHIN and Iramoo – provided an overview of their work and the practices that have been effective in supporting young people from diverse backgrounds. In particular, these services stressed the importance of networking across sectors and linking young people in with a range of services (e.g. mental health, education & employment etc) to ensure a service approach that goes beyond addressing only housing issues.
Derek Wilson and Meseret Abebe from Footscray Youth Housing Group, for example, talked about the need to adopt a holistic approach by trying to understand young people’s experiences of being a refugee, resettlement issues, homelessness, structure and trauma issues, and helping young people with issues of racism, legal issues and education.
‘We understand that the young people we work with have complex issues and therefore need long term support. So although DHS only fund us to work with a young person for 13 weeks, we often work with them for longer and sometimes for years.’
In terms of gaps and barriers relating to housing services, some of the issues identified in the focus groups included:
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- Lack of resources within housing sector to be able to work with CLD young people in a holistic way;
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- Discrimination in rental market (need for programs/policy to address racism in private rental, among real estate agents) ;
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- Shortage of affordable, appropriately-sized housing (overcrowding leading to tensions within families, risk of homelessness for young people);
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- Location of housing where CLD young people and families end up often in outer suburbs, leading to questions around what support is in place to link young people and families with services and community? (i.e. lack of infrastructure, such as public transport);
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- Importance of housing services being networked (e.g. able to provide advice, information and referral on related issues; provision of interpreter services);
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- Need for training within housing sector around working with CLD/Indigenous/disability clients (e.g. in TAFE courses, on SAAP training calendar; use of interpreters);
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- Shortage of public housing stock (suggestion for bungalows/caravans to be made accessible so that young people can live with families but independently); and
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- There was concern around the introduction of the ‘Front Door’ model and how this will work for CLD young people. Lack of consultation around the introduction of this model was also highlighted.
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CMYI is working in partnership with the Council for the Homeless Person (CHP) to develop a resource and recommendations following on from the June SMYIN meeting.
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CLD Young People and Sexual Health and Wellbeing
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March 2006
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Recent research exploring sexual health issues among newly arrived and CLD young people suggest significant gaps in information and support for CLD communities. Preliminary findings from research being undertaken at the University of Melbourne that explores the understanding and experience of African-born Australians indicates a significant gap in appropriate information about HIV (Lemoh 2006, unpublished).
Research published by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society at La Trobe University (2005) also points to poor mental health outcomes for same sex attracted young people, with additional issues relating to family support and understanding identified by respondents from CLD backgrounds. Young people from recently arrived refugee backgrounds were not among the participants in this research. This represents another gap in research on the sexual health and wellbeing of this group.
In responding to this research, as well as anecdotal evidence from workers, CMYI held a SMYIN meeting around the sexual health and wellbeing of CLD young people. Discussions at the meeting explored the need for culturally appropriate sex education as well as a co-ordinated and multilayered approach to ensuring young people from all backgrounds have access to information about relationships, safe practices, religious beliefs and sexual health.
Among the gaps identified at the meeting was the tendency for parents to choose not to allow their children to participate in sex education programs at school due to a perception that these programs were culturally inappropriate. This perception can lead to young people missing out on vital information and potentially participating in risk behaviour. Likewise, parents’ misunderstandings about sexual health issues in Australia (including HIV and STIs) and the relationship this has on the safety and health of their young people, may contribute to misinformation and potentially risky behaviour. The question, then, is how families can be brought on board to ensure young people and communities are able to access culturally appropriate information around sexual health?
Some suggestions that came out of the Statewide meeting included:
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- involving community leaders and young people in developing culturally appropriate sex education programs;
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- building the capacity of the health sector more broadly to deliver youth-friendly and CLD accessible services (e.g. use of interpreters, training for GPs, better understanding within health sector around refugee health issues);
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- supporting bicultural workers to deliver and develop health services (including education);
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- setting up a ‘clearinghouse’ of good models that have been trialled and can be shared with other services; and
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- convening a committee of key stakeholders (health, youth, education, multicultural bodies) to explore opportunities for a co-ordinated approach.
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CLD Young People and Road Safety
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September 2005
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In order to strengthen our submission to the Discussion Paper on Young Driver Safety and Graduated Licensing, CMYI convened a Statewide Network Meeting in September 2005 to explore the issue of CLD Young People and Road Safety with key organisations and workers in the youth and multicultural sectors. Key speakers representing Dandenong MRC, Vic Roads and Consumer Affairs provided context and background at the meeting. Over 60 participants from a diverse range of agencies provided their perspective on the issues, contributing to proposed strategies and recommendations.
Following the Statewide, CMYI compiled a discussion paper (see below) that outlined a number of key factors that impact on CLD young people and their experiences on our roads. These include:
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- The perception of levels of safety on public transport experienced by CLD young people;
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- Langage barriers and a lack of support in the complex licensing process;
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- The cost of obtaining a Driver’s Licence, including driving lessons; and
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- The lack of access to a safe, roadworthy vehicle and learner driver support (the frequent absence of a mentor or role model).
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A key overriding and distinguishing factor that impacts on young people regarding road safety is their refugee and migrant experiences and their post arrival settlement experiences. These experiences are significant and are therefore reflected in the limited and variying levels of young peoples’ understanding of Australian laws and systems.
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Download CMYIs Submission on Young Driver Safety and Graduated Licencing as PDF (164Kb)
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Refugee Young People and Education
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June 2005
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This Statewide Meeting focussed on Refugee Young People and Education. This followed a Statewide in 2001 that focussed on Homework Support Issues for newly arrived young people. The meeting in June 2005 was seen as a feedback mechanism in which CMYI could share actual outcomes and achievement in this area.
The meeting focussed on the Refugee Education Partnership Project, of which CMYI is a partner. Tiffany Overall and Pam Luizzi provided an overview of their respective roles. Statewide participants then formed small discussion groups to explore the issues raised in the project scoping paper, 'Educational Experiences of Refugee Young People, Issues and Responses'.
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The areas explored in the discussion were:
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- Second language needs for refugee children and young people;
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- Settlement and welfare needs;
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- Additional learning support needs of students with disrupted learning;
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- Supportive teachers and schools;
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- Need for social connectedness between young people, families and educational institutions; and
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- Managed transition between educational pathways.
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OUTCOMES:
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- The sector was able to see evidence of their consistent advocacy in this area through the existence of the REPP project.
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- The scoping paper will be distributed to participants in November 2005.
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Download CMYI Submission for Parliamentary Inquiry into Teacher Training as PDF (100Kb)
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CLD Young Men and the Impact of Violence
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March 2005
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The topic for the first Statewide Meeting of 2005 was CLD young men and the impact of violence. Through its sector development work, CMYI identified this issue as an area requiring more discussion and examination within the sector.
The meeting explored these broad areas for discussion:
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- The impact of violence on CLD young men;
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- The factors leading to aggressive behaviour;
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- The setting in which it occurs;
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- Whether aggressive behaviour occurs differently for CLD young men in comparison to other young people; and
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- The settlement factors that result in CLD youth aggression.
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CMYI involved the sector in framing a discussion on the issue that will eventuate in the documentation of key strategies and recommendations later in the year. CMYI invited Santina Perrone from Crime Prevention Victoria; to provide a brief overview of the research produced by CPV.
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OUTCOMES:
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- Successful programs and good practice were shared, strengthening networks and work practice in this area.
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- CMYI produced a discussion paper on the issue (see below).
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Download CMYI Discussion Paper on 'Working with Young Men in Victoria with a CLD Focus' as PDF (166Kb)
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Download 'CLD Young Men and the Impact of Violence' - Summary of Issues and Strategies as PDF (93Kb)
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Critical Issues for the Sector
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December 2004
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The focus of the end of year Statewide Meeting was to explore the critical issues for the sector. To this end, the meeting provided an insight for planning for the future and evaluating CMYIs policy development initiatives. It also added to CMYIs understanding of the needs of the sector and the grassroots issues that impact on workers within it and the lives of refugee and newly arrived young people.
Following the launch of the CMYI Annual Activities Report by the Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Minister for Education Services, Employment and Youth Affairs, Roger Holdsworth from the Youth Research Centre at the University of Melbourne addressed the network participants.
Roger spoke to the group about his experiences in the sector and his work with advocating for the principles and practice of youth participation. He reflected on his journey of both advocacy and research with wit and depth of commitment.
OUTCOMES:
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- Minister Allan Launched CMYIs Annual Report of Activities.
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- A process of review of issues impacting on workers and CLD young people and their families was initiated.
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Body Image and Sole Parenting Issues for CLD young people
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September 2004
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The impetus for selecting the topic of body image arose from the government’s initiative to hold a Parliamentary Inquiry into Body Image. CMYI was invited to put in a submission specifically relating to migrant and refugee young people. The Statewide was an appropriate setting to inform the sector of the Parliamentary Inquiry and to acquire a wide range of perspectives on the issue. Participants were encouraged to put submissions in individually and on behalf of their respective organisations as well as contribute to CMYI’s.
The second topic of the Statewide Meeting was Sole Parenting Issues for migrant and refugee young people. This topic was selected as a new and emerging concern for workers and ethnic communities and young people themselves. The issue of single parenting is an extremely complex and sensitive one, compounded by traditional values, religious expectations, socioeconomic factors, and settlement concerns. For these reasons, this topic is often hidden and not spoken of openly. The result for young people is heightened isolation from both an individual’s respective community and from the broader Australian community.
OUTCOMES:
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- CMYI submitted a written submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Body Image.
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- Cross sector partnerships were formed between ethnic community groups and sole parenting agencies.
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Download CMYIs Submission for Parliamentary Inquiry on Body Image as PDF (267Kb)
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Contact CMYI's Sector Development Officer
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CMYIs Project Officer - Sector Development convenes the Statewide Network. For more information contact:
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(03) 9340 3700
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info@cmy.net.au
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