Reflection: A six week whirlwind

I write this from New York, a city with almost as many residents as the population of Australia. A city that anything can be ordered online and delivered to your door, a city where more than 7 different languages can be heard on any street block. This is where I am based for the next 3 months at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations as the Australian Youth Ambassador. I will be working on the 3rd Committee of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Since May this year I have been working up to this point. It seems that since High School I have been working up to this point – growing up in Tamworth, living, studying and working in Sydney before making a move to Melbourne which changed my perspective, goals and direction in life.

It truly is a once in a life time opportunity. Firstly to travel over 38,000kms from the east to the west coast of Australia meeting some of the most incredible, inspiring young people. Secondly, to address the United Nations General Assembly, representing Australian youth, what we as young people are passionate about and what issues on a local, national and international level impact us.

Over the past 6 weeks there hasn’t been much time for reflection and evaluation but I would like to share some of my thoughts of this whirlwind adventure I have been on, particularly over these past 6 weeks. Quietly listening to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu I think I also need to digest what these weeks have brought to my life.

To give you a quick overview; since May I have only been in Melbourne for 9 days so I took the opportunity following the National Sister Cities Conference in Toowoomba to head home. I remained living out of my suitcase because it is a lot easier to pick-up and go when you need too. Its not that easy saying goodbye to partner ofcourse, particularly one that you never see but is always so supportive. I left for Sydney where I stayed 6 days, attended various meetings, including attending an Ifta Dinner – it is the feast to break Ramadan. I shared this dinner with a wonderful Turkish family and their friends as part of Affinity Interfaith Dialogue. A wonderful organisation that believe strongly that while we may come from different places and have different beliefs we can still share, learn and inspire each other. A special night that I will remember for a long time.

Before I knew it, I was on a plane ready for a 19hr flight from Sydney, via Dubai to Zurich, Switzerland where I attended One Young World. A conference that attracted over 1300 Delegates from over 150 Nations that supported discussions and debates on Global Business, Sustainable Development, the Environment, Leadership and Health. Out of the 300 applications I was lucky enough to be one of the six speakers chosen to speak on Leadership. It was a great moment but not my highlight. The highlight wasn’t the amazing speaker sessions or celebrities, although Sir Bob Geldof and Mr Desmond Tutu both took my breath away – picture old friends who love what they do, are both very wise and yet love to have a laugh, particularly at each other – this was them in their opening addresses.

My highlight was the conversations between sessions, the discussions over dinner and friendly handshakes followed by debates on global issues which often were followed by another handshake, swapping of business cards, a laugh and another Facebook friend. These moments stood out because you were talking to real people, people from various backgrounds, people driven by their own experiences, by their struggle for change in their nations, driven by a thirst for knowledge, understanding and global friendship.

At this conference, there were tears in the room, there were shouts of ecstatic young people and there were moments of piecing silence. Almost every emotion a person can feel in a lifetime was felt in 4days surrounded by newly found friends.

I returned to Sydney for 5nights – 2 were sleepless due to jet-lag, another was a wedding and dinner with my family, including my mother who made the trip from Dareton, NSW to see me off to New York. I arrived in NYC after another 18hr flight on the 12th Sept. 2011.

Since being in New York, I have had the amazing opportunity to meet our Foreign Minister Mr Rudd, Mr Quinlan the Australian Ambassador the the United Nations, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and Tonga as well as Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, Tonga, Fiji, Sri Lanka and Nigeria. Infact, tomorrow morning I have a meeting with Minister Peter Garrett, Australian Minister for Youth (and rock star!).

A journey that began in May has become a lifestyle. A lifestyle of travel, living out of a suitcase and sleeping on couches, but also a lifestyle that inspires me on a daily basis, supports me when I’m jet-lagged or exhausted and a lifestyle that allows me to view the world differently and with greater empathy, understanding and awareness.

I addressed the 3rd Committee on the 3rd October 2011. In my address I had a particular focus on education, social responsibility and young peoples voices. Three vital areas in the ongoing development of society particularly a socially minded society. One that is equipped with the tools to address existing social issues particularly unemployment, food crisis and food security, environmental impacts and the ongoing financial and economic pressures especially in developing nations.

Over the coming weeks I will be working on a number of United Nations Resolutions addressing Financial and Economic crisis impact on youth, youth with disables and Indigenous issues. I will be working with 24 other Youth Representatives from 18 nations and together we continue to have a strong focus on youth inclusive policy and youth supportive frameworks.

Watch my address to the 3rd Committee

Watch my address to the One Young World Conference

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Sparking Change: freedom fighters to fire starters

I have had the amazing pleasure of traveling across Australia, attending schools, youth conferences and universities engaging young people along the way. It has been a great opportunity to meet people that share the same passions, frustrations and drive as me.

On reflection of my past 3months of travel I realised it has also been the unexpected encounters that have made my journey so memorable and special.

It has been in conversations with older generations that have had the most impact on my journey, not only as the Australian Youth Representative but as a young man. Whether it be sitting around a table in Tennant Creek listening to the local police officers share their frustrations with the growing sense of institutional mentality in the communities or their ability to list 6-10 young people who have great potential but lack the direction and drive to break the strong pull of the negative cycles. Or whether it be sitting in a mens talking circle at the Native Title Conference listening to elders discuss the growing concern of the disconnection of young people with culture and feeling at a lose of how to rekindle the spark of pride in the next generations.

These are the moments that I will remember for years after my role is completed. These are the moments I’ve sat quietly listening to the tone of disappointment, waining hope and frustration spoken by people who desperately want this generation to take up the flag and fly it for the future of Australia. This frustration is real, this sense of disappointment is real.

I recently spoke at the closing address of the 2011 National Native Title Conference in Brisbane I spoke on the need for older generations to ignite the fire in young people through history, sharing struggles, victories and loses. If you understand where you come from, who you are, you have a sense of pride and worth. This is where the fire starts.

I’ve listened to old Aboriginal men and women speak of the pride they felt when they cast their vote for the first time, how they dressed up in their best and walked down to the ballot boxes as a family to finally have a say in the direction of their country. Tears surface but the warmth from their smiles express that the tears come from a place of pride and a sense of accomplishment. We marched, we fought, we waited and finally we voted.

These are the stories that offer me strength when faced with challenges and adversity. They provide me with fortitude, knowing that amongst the struggles and disappointments there is hope and the fire that drives this hope is alive and it flickers under the surface, under the social strains, under the layers of age and time.

I’ve seen and felt it time and time again. Walking into a community, a building, a conversation where the air is so thick that you feel pressure on your chest and each step is an effort. It is in these situations that the unexpected happens, you feel the warmth of the fire, see it in the eyes of someone or feel the force of their very words moving through you.

This is where the fire starts and I believe the older generations need to drive this and be that spark in our communities, breathing life into the hearts and minds of our generation, creating the understanding that the job isn’t done, progress has happened but we still have many miles to travel on this journey.

It is true that my generation has not lived through the struggles of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and our living memory is that of the NT Intervention and the 2008 Apology but this does not limit our ability to become the torchbearers for our generation and cause, this does not stop our ability to take up the flag and fly it for an equal, just and unified Australia.

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Existence, Validity, Recognition

Over the past year the term Recognition has undergone close scrutiny with the definition being pulled and prodded, twisted and turned to resemble a definition that both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians are comfortable to discuss in open forums and eventually vote upon in the 2013 proposed Referendum.

Recognising Indigenous Australians as the first Australians is set to become next great debate on the national agenda. Acknowledged as a “Once in 50 year opportunity” by Prime Minister Julia Gilard it is with reserved optimism and nervous anticipation I, like many Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians await the 2011 government proposal and subsequent 2013 Referendum. With only 8 of the past 44 constitutional amendments being successful, it will take a movement at the ballot boxes reminiscent of the 1967 Referendum in which more than 90% of Australians voted in favor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders being recognised as Australian citizens.

I have recently had the great privilege and honor of being appointed the 2011 Australia Youth Representative to the United Nations, a great achievement not only as a representative of the diverse and optimistic youth demographic across our Nation but as the first Indigenous representative to hold this position since it began in 1999. I feel that my appointment as Australian Youth Representative is a reflection on the youth of Australia and their aspiration to promote an inclusive society.

The Youth Representative is a formal position within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I will be a fully accredited member of the Australian Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and being based in New York from September-November this year. During this time, I will represent Australian youth and provide them with a voice in presentations to UN forums, such as the General Assembly and in a meeting with senior UN leaders.

I am a strong believer that youth participation and representation in the decision making process, either directly or indirectly affecting the direction of Australia and issues relating to youth, is paramount. Engaging and empowering the voice of the growing youth population will ensure the future leaders of Australia are informed and educated in the importance of an inclusive society with effective decision-making.

Based on the 2006 Census and age population projections identified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the total population of Australia in 2011 is approximately 22,596,500 with 9.65% of the population falling between 18 and 24 years of age. In the years leading towards the 2013 proposed Referendum the Australian population is predicted to increase by 2.35% with the population of first time eligible votes increasing by 1.18%.

Promoting the importance of Recognition means acknowledging the existence and validity of a person or group. If the 2013 proposed Referendum is to have the best chance of success; the existence of the growing youth population and the validity of their input needs to be acknowledged and supported with the understanding of the importance of Recognition of the first Australians.

In today’s society the role of young people has evolved from being a silent by-stander to becoming an influential voice with calculated, articulated conviction. Whether in school, the workforce or in everyday life, young people are encouraged to have an opinion and voice their concerns. This ability to communicate and debate should not be limited to the school yards and street corners of society but encouraged to participate at all levels of public debate. Supporting this public debate will become an instrumental component to the Recognition of the first Australians. Education and awareness will become the tools in building a positive movement.

Empowering the youth of Australia with the knowledge of the past injustices and the movements to build an inclusive society will not only promote the positive contributions Indigenous Australians make in society, it will also promote an educated and informed society on Indigenous issues going forward. Supporting diverse and informed input offers differences of perspective, positive debate and outcomes. Engaging this younger generation is important to the positive growth of society, empowerment through the knowledge of a scarcely taught past.

Over the coming 2 years the understanding of Recognition of the First Australians will be tested and debated, it will lead Australia on a journey of discovery in identity and history. It will be a journey that will look to define the term Recognition and first Australians but it will be the existence and validity of the public debate involving young Australians that will ultimately lead to a successful outcome for Australia’s future.

Check out the Australian Bureau of Statistics - Australian Population Stats

Enrolled to Vote? Do it here - AEC.gov.au

Find out more about the Constitutional Recognition at ANTaR

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Youth Representative: Just the beginning

On the 2nd April 2011, a date I will remember for a very long time, I received a phone call that would ultimately change my life and the life of other around me. For me to capture the significance of this phone call I will need to begin 5 months earlier; the end of October 2010.

Sitting at my desk with my daily coffee flicking through emails that had hit my inbox during the night and ungodly earlier hours of the morning, I came across an email from one of my Sydney networks announcing ‘applications closing soon for a 2011 United Nations Representative’. Comfortable as I was in my current role I simply deleted the email and thought nothing more of it. 20mins later my email alert popped-up on screen, this time from a Koorie network again advising ‘2011 United Nations Representative Applications closing soon’. I had a brief scan of the email ‘Consultation tour’, ‘United Nations’, ‘New York’ were the obvious standouts but again it went into my deleted items. It wasn’t until it came through my email for a freakish third time with a friendly note saying you should check this out. I decided I will apply.

For the next hour short answer drafts filled my desktop before holding my breath as I submitted my expression of interest to be considered for the 1st of three rounds of selection. Nervous but not expecting much I continued to plow through my work. Two weeks without a word, I had convinced myself it wasn’t meant to happen.

My eyes lit up one November morning. In my inbox sat an email, addressed ‘Dear Applicant’ advising my success to proceed to the long written submission component of the application. Four long answers with an in-depth plan to implements my consultation tour if I were successful. The process of addressing each answer was long and hard, I had a clear plan on how I wanted to run an engaging national tour with Australian youth but whether I could articulate the thought, consideration and sleepless hours I poured into the application, I just want sure. Just one day before the long submissions closed I, again nervous but now breathing heavy, shakily emailed my final application.

When you put your thoughts or ideas in the hands of someone else to review and critic you feel so vulnerable, especially when you don’t know who’s hands it may end up in. A number of anxious nights followed and hundreds of re-reads of my submission by this time it had become an obsession. I wanted the position, I wanted it so badly I would wake-up in the middle of the night with ideas for my consultation tour which I would write down in a notepad next to my bed, I bought a new laptop, a video camera and I began reading about building websites, famous speeches and historical events.

I was fortunate enough to have an introduction to the 2009 Australian Youth Representative, Chris Varney. Chris is an amazing person and considered one of most influential Australian Youth Representatives to the United Nations since the program began in 1999. Chris’s passion for global issues in particular the empowerment of young people and the promotion of equality in society was evident in the way he spoke and the pride he displayed when sharing his experience as the 2009 Youth Representative. I walked away from our brief but intense discussion feeling a new sense of purpose, a sense that the email I received three times in one morning was a sign that my journey was only in its early stages.

Christmas passed. No word. I love what I do, I work for a great company and a wonderful supportive team but it is only natural to feel disappointed when you’ve invested yourself into anything and you don’t get the outcome you want, this is what I was feeling, disappointment. January slowly passed.

In early February 2011 sitting with my morning coffee flicking through emails I received what felt like a jump start from a defibrillator to my chest. An email advising I had been successful making it to the Formal Interview and final stage of the application process.

Two weeks later I was sitting in front of an interview panel literally shaking (but trying to conceal it). I had prepared, I had taken all the deep breath I could but the idea that everything I had written and read hinged on the next 20mins of whether it was all worth it, I knew it was all worth it but my success was dependent on the outcome of the interview.

I could not tell you what I said in the interview, not because its top secret, I walked out blank. The questions came, I’m pretty sure I answered them and I shook their hands, smiled and left. Blank. You know when you think of a good comeback or joke but it comes to you when the moment is already passed. This is what haunted me for the next month.

March passed. I sent a follow-up email (maybe more than one…) There is a fine line between eager and annoying, I think I was the balancing act between the two. In my mind I was keen to know either way if I had been successful or not but in the mind of the person reviewing applicants I was sitting in the annoying side of the court.

Saturday, 2nd April 2011. The phone call. “Congratulations you are the 2011 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations”. An amazing wave of happiness swept over me – hard to explain but if you could imagine something that you have wanted so much for nearly half a year, you’re emotionally invested, you have allowed yourself and abilities to be judged and suddenly everything you had dedicated yourself too pays off, it all comes together in a few simple words. That is what I felt and continue to feel.

I am the first Indigenous Australian to become the Youth Representative to the United Nations an amazing honor and something I am proud of. It has now been one week in this position. I know the responsibility and expectations will be great but I also know that wonderful people like Chris, UNYA , Family and Friends will provide me with the support to achieve my goals and outcomes during my consultation tour and time at the United Nations General Assembly.

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Advocating Change Through the Productivity Commission.

Submission to the Productivity Commission:

Vocational Education Training Workforce

Indigenous Participation in the Vocational Education and Training Workforce.

“The focus on the maintenance and promotion of culture and identity are compromised in the delivery of a one-size fits all approach to curriculum. We know from experience that a one-size fits all approach will not achieve the same results in different environments so it is essential that our education system is tailored to meet the diversity of needs of our students.”

Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Social Justice Commissioner, 2010*

I am one of the 40% of Indigenous Australian’s under the age of 25 years who is determined to promote positive messages about Aboriginal Australia, in an effort to counterbalance the negative images reinforced in mainstream media across Australia.

I am 22 years old and live in Melbourne – my Grandmother is Wemba Wemba (Swan Hill) and Grandfather is Gunditjmara (Warrnambool). I grew up in Tamworth (Gomileroi Country) and began working at ANZ when I was 15 years old through the Indigenous Traineeships Program, which I completed in 2005.

Upon completion of my traineeship and after obtaining my HSC, I moved to Sydney to study a Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology of Sydney and worked in Business Banking as an Assistant Manager. I currently work as a Business Analyst within an Indigenous Employment and Training Team at a ‘big four bank’.

I currently sit on three advisory boards: Reconciliation Victoria, the Aboriginal Advisory Board to the Victorian Electoral Commission and EastWeb (a youth lead philanthropic funding board focused on Indigenous, Refugee and Asylum Seeker community initiatives).

Towards Positive Indigenous Outcomes in Vocational Education and Training.

I am writing this submission directly to the Commission because I believe it is vitally important for young Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to have direct input into important inquiries such as this Productivity Commission report on Vocational Education and Training.

Upon review of the overall submissions to the Productivity Commission it was concerning to discover very few recommendations in the draft report relating or referring specifically to Indigenous VET work force needs and Indigenous educational needs.

As a former Indigenous student who benefited from a VET education I can affirm the importance of these opportunities in rural Australia and particularly in the Aboriginal community. I am currently working for a large corporate in the banking sector within  an Indigenous employment program. This program has been operating since 2003 and the ongoing success can be attributed to 3 key factors:

1. A workplace dedicated Indigenous Employment and Training Team
2. Indigenous mentoring, provided through Group Training Organisations (GTOs)
3. Encouraging a strong support base through the school, family and work place.

When all three key factors are working together with a committed trainee/student successful outcomes are achieved. The evidence of this program’s success is in the high retention rates and transition rates to permanent employment which we, as a Business unit, have witnessed over the recent years. The VET providers and students would benefit greatly if these three factors could be embedded in the VET workforce capabilities.

Large organisations and corporates are advantaged by the ability to employ a dedicated Indigenous Employment Teams to specifically target Indigenous traineeships and employment. It is understandable that this luxury is not always possible in smaller organisations looking to support vocational education. It can, however, be substituted by Indigenous mentoring services which some RTOs and GTOs offer.

I am a strong believer that Indigenous mentoring services should be offered in conjunction with employment opportunities, especially when related to Indigenous educational outcomes. While there has been a major push for positive role models in our community the supply of Indigenous mentors from RTOs and GTOs does not, at this stage, meet the demand coming from the Indigenous trainees/students undertaking VET courses in urban and regional centres across Australia. The VET workforce needs improved capacity, training and infrastructure to support the provision for RTO/GTOs to implement a specific Indigenous mentoring service, if they have identified on their books Indigenous students undertaking VET courses.

VET courses are shown to encourage school retention and completion rates. Indigenous mentoring would encourage Indigenous VET retention and completion rates when offered in conjunction with VET courses and if it was provided through the RTO/GTO. Improving the VET workforce’s capabilities to deliver quality education and relevant training would have a direct impact in improving Indigenous student outcomes.

Encouraging a strong support base (Point 3 – above) begins in the workplace. The workplace offers a stable, routine based environment, which may or may not be available at home while providing a relevant educational experience (i.e. on the job training).

Obstacles in the workplace, which we have encountered on a varying scale, range from preconceived and misinformed ideas of Indigenous employment and the Aboriginal community, unconscious biases in regards to employment and a lack of cultural awareness and understanding. To combat and overcome these detrimental obstacles, which at the core relate to understanding and awareness, our organisation approached various Indigenous cultural awareness facilitators to hold workshops with over 100 districts (avg. 7-9 Branches within each District) across Australia. Each facilitator represented their various regions as Indigenous culture is diverse and thus, cultural awareness workshops should be location/region specific. I would recommend all members of the VET workforce under go cultural awareness training, as cultural awareness of Indigenous culture improves understanding of cultural appropriateness with the flow-on effect of positive student and workforce relations.

I believe setting organisational goals, both in the workforce and at a RTO/GTO level, will encourage a quality approach when seeking a potential VET student and providing a supportive workplace.

Suggested goals for a RTO/GTO and workplace are:

RTO/GTO:

• Engaging an Indigenous mentoring service if RTO/GTO take on an identified Indigenous student.
• Supporting cultural awareness sessions in workplaces where Indigenous trainees will be completing their VET course.
• Where possible, RTO/GTO trainee numbers should reflect the wider community (i.e. that 3% of trainees are Indigenous)
• Retention rates need to be reflective of the VET non-Indigenous retention rate.
• Quarterly review/evaluation

Workplace:

• Undertake cultural awareness training
• Perform a review on workplace cultural appropriateness
• Offer additional workplace mentoring (i.e. buddy system)
• Regular discussions with RTO/GTO, student and mentor

I recommend goals to be formalised within a public Reconciliation Action Plan documented through Reconciliation Australia and managed or facilitated through its state-based sub-bodies, providing accessibility to appropriate resources and capacity to report and track RTO/GTOs and workplaces against goals set out by the organisation within the document.

I believe the main challenge will be changing perceptions of Indigenous Australia to reflect the positivity and hope within our communities when these opportunities are available. Unlike the past, onus should be placed on the RTO/GTO and the workforce to ensure at least 2 of the 3 ‘key factors’ mentioned above are in place prior to claiming they are the leaders in the Indigenous VET space.

We are at a critical time in Australia where employment and education related key indicators need to be addressed at all levels of society through an inclusive and longitudinal view, to ensure that sustainable outcomes are attained and the error of short-sighted, quick fix policies of the past are not repeated.

I am happy to meet with the Commission to discuss this further and to assist in maximising the ability of the VET workforce to have a direct and significant impact upon the ongoing prosperity of Indigenous Australians.

* Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Commissioner. Speech at the NSW Teachers Federation Council Meeting 20th November 2010. (Retrieved from http://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/speeches/social_justice/2010/20101120_education.html)

The Productivity Commission (PC) is the Australian Government’s independent research and advisory body on a range of economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of Australians. Submissions are open to all interested parties, all submission remain on the public record indefinitely.

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Music Minded? Wheres the Heart…

I won’t talk to you about the music industry as a whole or the decline in CD sales with the increasing online availability of albums. What I would like to discuss, and hear your opinion, are the themes driving our current musicians and the platform that progressive and socially minded bands have built for music to become a positive influence and community activating tool.

The depth of music runs deeper than purely what genre you prefer or matching sounds with your current mood. The Greek philosopher, Plato described music as:

“The movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.”

Virtue is a powerful word to be linked with Music as it relates to morals and the useful quality of a person, object and/or concept. Music being a form of art is subjective, not everyone enjoys the same music some like a large range of music from chart toppers to world music whilst others enjoy particular genres like metal, punk or techno. Being of the subjective nature and considering Plato’s words; Musics power is its ability to reach the soul of the listener and connect with what is important to them regardless of background.

On the surface this is understandable and something you might consider a simple statement but now I ask you to consider the Music currently playing in the charts and being pumped out of cars, TVs and ipods.

I logged on to my itunes store and looked at the Top Singles being sold on itunes. The top 2 are:

1. On the floor – Jennifer Lopez

“All I need is some vodka and some… coke
And watch… get donkey konged
… if you’re ready for things to get heavy
I get on the floor and act a fool if you let me…”

2. Sweat – Snoop Dogg

“There’s only one way we can stop the drought
Come with me
We can take a trip down south
I can tell she’s thirsty
I’m in the hole like a birdy…”

While these are small selections of the songs I’m sure you can tell the songs theme by these words. A theme that is consistent among a lot of (not all) pop-music. Now I ask you to once again consider Plato’s words. If this music is reflective of our morals (virtue) then the popularity of these songs should be concerning as a reflection on a society that feels these songs connect with what is important to them as individuals.

Today I was reading my twitter feeds as I follow a number of Indigenous Organisations and Individuals who do a great job posting news stories and media coverage on the Aboriginal community. While flicking through some links I came across the great Australian band the Warumpi Band and their legendary song Black Fella White Fella which started me thinking, where the progressive and popular bands like the Warumpi Band, Midnight Oil, Coloured Stone, Yothu Yindi and many more bands with a social message celebrating culture for building an inclusive and equal Australia, have gone in todays society. Powerful lyrics that not only connect with your soul but engage you on an emotional level. Lyrics that educate and evoke a sense of urgency for change, driven by some seriously talented musicians.

• Yothu Yindi – Tribal Voice:

“All the people in the world are dreaming (get up stand up)
Some of us cry for the rights of survival (get up stand up)
Saying c’mon c’mon! Stand up for your rights
While others don’t give a damn
They’re all waiting for a perfect day
So you better get up and fight for your rights
Don’t be afraid of the move you make
You better listen to your tribal voice!”

I realised that the ideology of social change through music hasn’t disappeared but it has faded from the popular music charts and thus out of the minds of the wider society and into an underground scene which is engaging a progressive Australia.

The questions I feel are important to ask are:

1. Has the music scene lost its heart when it comes to seeking and supporting bands that are pushing an agenda and wanting to engage a wider audience. The second question is about the Australian society;
2. Has our virtues fallen to the point that we no longer connect or identify with lyrics that promote positive attitudes of self worth and culture.

I would like to leave you with 3 music videos that I feel connect with me and promote culture and a progressive Australia:

• Coloured Stone – Black Boy
• The Colli Crew – Change the Game
• Yothu Yindi – Mainstream

Enjoy and keep searching cause there is so much amazing talent out there that doesn’t get the airtime it deserves so please share your thoughts and build awareness of bands who are reconnecting with the social minded community to promote a music industry that we can be proud to play everyday.

 

 

Youth Leadership: Not growing out of it anytime soon…

The inclusion of youth participation and representation in the decision making process, either directly or indirectly affecting the direction of Australia and issues relating to youth, is paramount. Engaging and empowering the voice of the growing youth population will ensure the future leaders of Australia are informed and educated in the importance of effective decision-making.

Based on the 2006 Census and age population projections identified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the total population of Australia in 2010 is 21,991,011 with 11% of the population falling between 18 and 25 years of age. High school leavers and first time voters in 2010, who were born in the 1990’s and who are commonly referred to as Gen Y, are the first Generations of Australians who have never known a world without mobile phones or the internet.

Social norms and ideals have dramatically shifted over the past four decades, increasingly over the past ten years within Australian society. Increased modes of accessing information and engaging networks across cyberspace have bred a generation and subsequent generations who are technologically cultured, well educated and socially minded due to their ability to access information and networks from across the globe.

The role of young people in decision-making in today’s society has evolved from being a silent by-stander to becoming an influential voice with calculated, articulated conviction. Whether in school, the workforce or in everyday life, young people are encouraged to have an opinion and voice their concerns. This ability to communicate and debate should not be limited to the school yards and street corners of society but encouraged to participate at all levels of decision-making. Diversity in decision-making offers differences of perspective, positive debate and outcomes. Supporting and engaging this young generation is important to the positive growth of society, empowerment through inclusive decision-making.

Australian youth play significant leadership roles throughout Australia, including School Representative Councils at local, state and national levels, national youth forums, mentoring organisations and the continued maintenance of cultural practices including Indigenous culture, supporting and driving community initiatives throughout urban, rural and remote Australia. Encouraging participation in youth leadership and representation in decision-making arenas builds confidence in the individual participants and confidence in decision-making processes, knowing that as an Australian we have the ability to influence the direction of our Nation regardless of heritage, race or age.

Encouraging and supporting youth leadership is a form of succession planning for the future of Australia’s government and future leaders across society. Participation in the decision-making process at the highest level will build awareness of Government processes and policy, which will equip the next generation with the tools to build on the platforms laid by their predecessors. Youth participation limits the influence of short-sighted policy and provides a longitudinal view to the direction of Australia and its place on the world stage. Cross- generational collaboration and direction, provides the opportunity to share knowledge and offer guidance to future leaders.

A Young Indigenous Australian with leadership aspirations, Madeleine Madden has been named 2011 National Youth Week ambassador following her 24th October 2010 Address to the Nation in which she called on all Australians to help end disparity between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous key indicators of Health, Education and Employment.

Could this be the new direction for Australia Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd alluded to in his 2008 Apology Speech:

“A new beginning, a new partnership on closing the gap with sufficient flexibility”

Youth leadership in the pursuit for Equality and Reconciliation.

The importance of youth representation in decision-making is not based on their growing population or their technological understanding but rather based on their continued contribution to Australian society and acknowledgement of the trust we place in them to build on our legacy and the ongoing success of our Nation and future generations.

The End.

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