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 November 2007
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WHAT'S NEW AT CMYI?
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End of Year Event
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Come and celebrate CMYI's achievements in supporting refugee and migrant young people throughout 2007 at our end of year event and launch of our annual report of activities.
This year's guest speaker is writer Alice Pung, author of 'Unpolished Gem' - an autobiography of her experiences growing up as the eldest daughter of Indo-Chinese immigrants in Footscray.
The event will also see the launch of 'Voices of Young Australia' - a new CMYI publication featuring stories of strong, inspiring young people.
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Date: Thursday 6 December
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Time: 9.45am-12pm
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Location: Treacy Conference Centre (126 The Avenue, Parkville - Melway map reference 19 F12)
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RSVP: Contact CMYI on (03) 9340 3700 info@cmyi.net.au by Friday 30 November.
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Multicultural Youth Pledge
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CMYI is currently conducting a unique campaign to defend Australia’s migrant and refugee young people.
CMYI believes the current debate on ‘African’ refugees and any problems they may experience with integrating into Australian society has been divisive, has fuelled misconceptions and has distorted the facts. The way the debate has been handled at a range of levels in the community has undermined the success of Australia’s humanitarian program.
CMYI’s campaign, called the Multicultural Youth Pledge, focuses on the stories of three young people who have each fled their home country in search of a better life. "This campaign is designed to set the record straight, get some balance into the discussion, counter myths and provide information about the situation of migrant and refugee young people," says CMYI Director Carmel Guerra.
Learn more about the Multicultural Youth Pledge by visiting the ‘Issues’ section.
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New Multicultural Youth Issues national papers
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CMYI has recently completed two papers for the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) on multicultural youth issues. These papers review and summarise the evidence on the needs of refugee, migrant and second generation youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. They also examine the current policy and program responses to these needs. Both papers have a national outlook and have benefited from consultation with reference groups in each state/territory, with representatives from a range of government departments, community organisations and service providers.
The first paper, Multicultural Youth In Australia: Settlement and Transition, addresses the particular issues facing multicultural youth in such areas as settlement, education and employment, identity and racism, family and community, income and housing, and health (including sexual health, mental health, and sport and recreation).
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 download a copy (813kb)
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The second paper, Working with Multicultural Youth: Programs, Strategies and Future Directions, identifies successful strategies and programs operating across Australia, as well as gaps in programs and their distribution; and suggests strategies and future directions for programs with multicultural young people. This paper includes valuable tables of programs in each state and territory, which while not comprehensive provide an interesting overview of available programs.
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download a copy (1.08MB)
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Building on these papers and the original consultation process, CMYI and ARACY have recently held meetings across Australia bringing together researchers, service providers, and policy makers. These meetings encouraged collaborations to investigate and promote multicultural youth issues, and we look forward to many positive outcomes from this process.
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New Information Sheet – Young people in Australia’s immigration program
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Australia is one of the most culturally diverse societies of the 21st century. According to the 2006 Census, 22.2% of the Australian population was born overseas and over 40% had one or both parents born overseas.
This information sheet provides an overview of the size and make-up of Australia’s immigration program, the processing and entitlements across the different migration streams, and some context regarding young people’s common settlement experiences.
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download a copy (1MB)
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Project R.A.C.E. seeking participants
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CMYI is running an exciting new project that aims to address issues surrounding discrimination faced by young Muslims. Comedy has been used for many years as a way to send a message of social justice in a clear and non-threatening way, and Project R.A.C.E. (Religious and Cultural Equality) aims to equip a group of young Muslims with skills and knowledge to address discrimination through comedy performances delivered to police, schools, employers and the general public. So if you’re Muslim, aged 17-25 and want to get involved, contact Mohammed El-Leissy on (03) 9340 3700 or mel-leissy@cmyi.net.au – places are limited.
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Iftar celebration and Launch of Statewide Network for Multicultural Young People
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Tuesday 9 October saw the newly-refurbished CMYI offices host a celebration for Iftar, the breaking of the Ramadan fast. Over 60 people attended the event, and were entertained by a short comedy sketch from Nazeem Hussain, followed by a quiz on facts about refugees and migrants both living in Australia and internationally.
The event also served as the launch for CMYI’s Statewide Network for multicultural young people, which has been christened 'Voices of Freedom Youth Networks'. A ‘graffiti wall’ exercise was conducted, with participants writing their ideas and concerns about things they’re experiencing using paint, highlighters and magazines to create a series of collages.
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Our renovations are finished!
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Anyone who’s visited the CMYI building in Carlton in the past few months will have witnessed the mess caused by our renovation project. Thankfully, it’s all over now and the building now sports a new ground-floor reception area, training and kitchen facilities, among other upgrades. If you’re planning a visit sometime soon, please note that the entrance to the building has actually moved, and our address is now officially 304 Drummond Street.
CMYI would like to say thank you to anybody who has visited the building recently for their patience while the renovations have taken place.
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NEWS AND VIEWS
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Federal Election Resources
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In the lead-up to the Federal Election, a number of interesting resources have been released to provide a snapshot of the national impact on young people.
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic), in their regular ‘YiKES!’ newsletter (Volume 5, Edition 4), has used Roy Morgan polling from the middle of the year to pinpoint the three major issues currently driving the political agenda: WorkChoices and industrial relations reform; Medicare reform; and climate change. YACVic outlines how these issues may affect young people, and what Labor and the coalition are offering in these areas. YACVic has also made suggestions on alternative areas that they would like to see more attention directed to.
Taking a different approach is the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC), which has put together a survey of all the major parties, which you can download from their website. AYAC has identified six main areas of concern for young people: education and training; employment; youth participation; health and wellbeing; housing and homelessness; and the environment. AYAC asked all major parties (the Coalition, Labor, Democrats, Greens and Family First) to provide responses to questions relating to these areas.
Meanwhile, the Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF) has joined forces with online youth portal Vibewire to bring you electiontracker 2007. DSF is sponsoring four young reporters to be part of the official press pack travelling with John Howard and Kevin Rudd as they criss-cross the country in the final two weeks of their election campaigns, to ask the questions and report back on the issues most relevant to young voters. Follow their work by visiting the electiontracker website.
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Youth Sector Code of Practice launched
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The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) is pleased to announce the launch of the Code of Ethical Practice - A First Step for the Victorian Youth Sector. The document is the first code of practice for the Victorian Youth Sector and one of only a few in Australia.
It outlines eight key principles underpinning Victorian youth work practice and is designed to foster and support ethical practice across the state. The document is the culmination of many months of consultation with the Victorian youth sector, including workers with young people, employers, educators and young people.
The code was officially launched at the recent YACVic AGM by the Child Safety Commissioner, Bernie Geary OAM.
The code is designed to be a living document, and will be reviewed and redrafted periodically. Its rollout will be supported by the upcoming release of documents about how to effectively use the code.
Printed copies of the document will be posted to all YACVic Members shortly, while PDF copies will be available for download from the YACVic website by the end of the year.
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Refugee policy must have humanitarian issues as a central concern
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The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has called on the Australian Government to maintain its role as a global citizen by committing to a refugee policy that puts humanitarian needs first.
HREOC made the call in an October media release, in response to the government’s decision to reduce the number of African refugees.
"The Australian Government should maintain its role as a principled and committed global citizen through a refugee policy that makes it a priority to respond to the worsening plight of refugees and their need for asylum from persecution and war," Commissioner Innes said.
"The government’s decision to cut African refugee numbers because they are not settling and adjusting to the Australian way of life is at odds with the primary concern of the Refugee Convention, that is, providing a safe haven for people who are fleeing persecution in their country oforigin.
"Of course people fleeing war torn countries or cruel regimes may well have special settlement needs, but this is not a reason to reject them," Mr Innes said. "Rather, it is the very reason we should embrace them and work towards helping them rebuild their lives.”
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Citizenship test takes effect
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The Federal Government’s controversial citizenship test took effect on 10 October. Aspiring citizens are now quizzed on their general knowledge of Australian history and culture, and their English-language skills.
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews has defended the introduction of the test in The Australian, claiming that its questions could readily be answered by any person who had been living in Australia for a number of years. However, the test has received widespread condemnation from advocate groups who claim it creates an extra hurdle for migrants and refugees wanting to become Australian citizens.
Refugee Council of Australia CEO Paul Power said people from non-English-speaking backgrounds were particularly disadvantaged.
"Historically, people who have come as refugees and humanitarian entrants have been much more interested in becoming Australian citizens than any other group of migrants," Mr Power told ABC radio. "This testing regime will advantage those who are least likely to be interested in Australian citizenship and disadvantage many of those who are most interested."
The Greens, together with the African Think Tank, have responded to the introduction of the test by pledging to replace it with a ‘Welcome Test’, aimed at providing a minimum standard of services for newly arrived refugees and migrants – a test that governments, not recent arrivals, will have to pass.
"The recent exploitation of African refugees by Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews was shameful," said Director of the African Think Tank, Dr Berhan Ahmed. "The Welcome Test will be conducted annually and will assess the government on its performance in areas such as the provision of settlement services, counselling, language services, health and education."
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE SECTOR
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Details of upcoming events, conferences and new resources in the CLD youth sector. If you have an event or resource you want promoted through this newsletter, please send details to info@cmyi.net.au
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New Resources
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- What's the score? A survey of cultural diversity and racism in Australian sport - What are our national sporting organisations, federal and state government departments, human rights and anti-discrimination agencies and non-government bodies doing to combat racism and prejudice in sport? And what steps have been taken to develop an inclusive, non-discriminatory culture within sport by players, spectators and the broader viewing public? To find an answer to these questions, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) conducted a national project to survey these different groups to see what strategies and projects have been put in place to achieve these goals. Read more at the HREOC website.
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- Good Starts Study for Refugee Youth - the Refugee Health Research Centre at La Trobe University and the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture are currently working on the Good Starts Study for Refugee Youth, a longitudinal study that combines the methods of ethnography and social epidemiology to examine the contexts and processes that promote health and well-being amongst newly arrived young refugees. The first three Broadsheets from the study - focusing on refugee boys and school, partnerships with Police and refugee girls and school - are now available from the project's home page on the La Trobe University website.
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- New issue of UN Youth Flash now available - the Youth Flash is a service of the United Nations (UN) Programme on Youth to keep you informed about the work of the UN on youth issues. The latest issue contains a feature on youth issues raised at the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly, highlights from UN headquarters and its agencies around the world, and a comprehensive calendar of upcoming events. Take a look at the Youth Flash section of the UN website.
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Events
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- Faith and Culture Forum for Young People (Sunday 9 December) - Be a part of the Multicultural Multifaith Youth Forum on Sunday 9 December 2007, from 10am-5pm, at the Melbourne Town Hall. Join a diverse group of young people from a range of faiths and cultural backgrounds to discuss issues affecting young people in Victoria, plan youth-led projects and initiatives, access useful information, develop skills and express your creativity. The event is organised by the Victorian Government and is a follow-up to the successful Multifaith Multicultural Youth Forum held in 2006. For further information, or to receive a registration form, please contact the Victorian Multicultural Commission on (03) 9208 3185.
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Awards and Funding
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- Community Grants Program 2007-2008 - The Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Community Grants Program provides support to Victoria’s culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse communities. The Promoting Harmony: Multifaith and Interfaith Grants category provides funding to a range of projects that bring different faith and community groups together to promote community harmony, celebrate our shared values and increase our understanding of, and respect for, our differences. Community Grants for 2007-2008 are now available. An Application form is attached to be completed and returned by email to info@vmc.vic.gov.au or fax to (03) 9208 3179. For more information, contact Rickie Knoetze on (03) 9208 3153.
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- Community Policing Partnership Project (CPPP) - The CPPP is a program to promote social cohesion and counteract discriminatory views and intolerance towards Muslim Australians. Police and community groups are invited to form partnerships and to then propose specific projects that will build bridges between police and Australian Muslim communities. While these projects have a ‘whole-of-community’ approach, the program will focus on ensuring that Australian Muslim communities are an essential partner in and beneficiary of these projects. Visit the Australian Multicultural Foundation website to obtain information on funding guidelines and applications.
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FROM THE SECTOR: PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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Information and updates on new projects, programs and services in the sector. If you are involved in a project that you would like others in the sector to know about, send details to info@cmyi.net.au
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New Projects, Programs and Services
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- Leadership Australia – A New Generation - Do you want to use your voice to engage and influence key Australian identities from all different sectors of the community? Leadership Australia – A New Generation is an extensive three-day national program from the Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF), delivered in Melbourne, to assist young Australian Muslims to develop and strengthen their ability to play an active role in the community. The program takes place from 5 to 7 February 2008. To apply, obtain an application form from the AMF by contacting (03) 9347 6622 or info@amf.net.au by 7 December 2007.
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IN THE MEDIA
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Multicultural youth issues in the media – what are some of the issues that are making it into the news? If you come across media articles you think should be highlighted in this newsletter, please forward to info@cmyi.net.au
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Ganging Up (Media Watch, ABC television, 8 October 2007)
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"It's a classic case of the commercial networks long held obsession with so-called ethnic gangs, fitting perfectly with the political interests of those supporting the freeze on African migrants. When they added dishonesty to that mix, the commercial networks did a serious disservice to African migrants as a whole."
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> read transcript at the Media Watch website
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Playing out a black farce (Herald Sun newspaper, 8 October 2007)
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"There are thousands of wonderful and inspirational refugees living among us from many countries, including Africa. Kevin Andrews needs to get out and meet them."
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> read article at the Herald Sun website
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Ganging up on Africans (The Age newspaper, 6 October 2007)
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"Government comments on Sudanese this week suggest it is changing the criteria for asylum seekers. Humanitarian need alone no longer appears to be enough."
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> read article at The Age website
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The rights of all refugees (The Age, 3 October 2007)
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"Until now the minister has tended to explain the Government's decision to reduce its intake of African refugees by reference to improved conditions in some African conditions and worsening conditions in the Middle East... At issue here is not the size or make-up of Australia's refugee intake, but the Government's message to the wider community."
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> read article at The Age website
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Prejudice is not a joke (The Age, 1 October 2007)
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"When it comes to exposing and challenging prejudice, humour is often far more effective a tool than passionate opinion articles."
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> go to The Age article
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Culture Test (Insight, SBS television, 18 September 2007)
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"Young people caught between their parents' traditional cultural expectations and the lives they want to lead as young Australians. Generational conflict is nothing new but when it involves a culture clash it can rip families apart." Featuring Mohammad El Leissy and Director of CMYI, Carmel Guerra.
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> read transcript at the Insight website
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