Up until today, services working with young people were only guided by general documentation for youth as a whole. This meant that many multicultural children and teens were under the same support bracket in sectors like health, education and recreation, rather than receiving assistance targeted toward their specific needs.
The same is true for services assisting migrant and refugee people, who work with a general framework spread across displaced people of all ages.
This morning a was launched at Olympic Park, Sydney, presented by Hon. Craig Laundy, Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs. The framework or documentation provides evidence-based guidance on good practice, and will better equip consultation organisations with useful tools and information to help young people settle into their new home.
Nadine Liddy, Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) said that the release of such a document is timely, given Australia’s commitment to increasing the Humanitarian Programme, focusing on those fleeing Syria.
MYAN NSW Youth Ambassadors. (L-R) Sarah Yahya, Jordan Ablett and Apojak Biar (Image: Centre for Multicultural Youth) Source: Centre for Multicultural Youth
“Young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds face specific challenges in beginning a new life in Australia,” she said.
“These challenges are distinct from their Australian-born peers, as well as those of adults in their own communities.”
“Young people need targeted support to overcome these challenges and ensure they become active participants in Australian society and the new National Youth Settlement Framework will support this.”
This framework is the first nationally focused resource to help refugee youth settle well in Australia and includes information on policy development, service planning and delivery across areas like settlement, education and community participation.
MYAN Australia developed this documentation, after multiple consultations with young people and organisations who support them, over the course of three years. The comprehensive suite of documents will be rolled out with other support, including training for organisations and will kick-off mid-2016.
How can consultations and community support services better assist multicultural youth?
