There’s time enough, but none to spare…

There is a story from remote north-western Australia of an old Aboriginal man who was the last man to speak his traditional language fluently. For generations he’d lived on his traditional land, his skin as ragged and ruff as the land itself.

To avoid losing such an important and unique element of Australian life, a group of non-Indigenous scientists and linguists made the long trip north to meet the old man and record his language. In the warm early morning sun, they sat down in the red dirt over a cup of tea, brewed over an open flame on the side of the dirt road.

The conversation was translated through the old man’s daughter using a common dialect. The group would ask a question, the daughter would interpret in the common dialect before the old man would respond, first in his traditional language then repeat it by translating it into the common language before it would then be translated back into English. It was a slow process but one that was so important to the work of the scientists and linguists.

Overcome with curiosity, a linguist asked; “how old are you?” Going through the process of translation and understanding the old man replied via his daughter with the answer: “Ten Thousand”. Looking puzzled the group asked him to explain. After a long conversation between the man and his daughter, the daughter turned to the group and pointed to a giant boab tree while translating his words:

“See this tree, this is a part of my dreaming, my culture, these have been on this land, since the beginning of time. I have seen trees grow tall and strong, dry up and die. I have seen animals come through these lands, produce offspring, I have watched the offspring grow old and pass away. I have seen my own family, live, grow old and return to this earth. This tree stands strong and will continue to stand tall and strong long after my time in this life. But next to these trees, I have been the most constant on my land, so if next to these ancient trees I have been the most constant then I must be ten thousand.”

 

“The future is something that everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”

- C. S. Lewis

 

Having reached the end of my three months based in New York as the Australian Youth Delegate, I once again find myself reflecting on the concept of time and the sense that my three months has come to an end too soon. I have been recounting, in my mind, all the events from the opening of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly to the close of the 3rd Committee and the adoptions of both the resolution on ‘The Rights of the Child’ and the youth resolution on ‘the impacts of the financial and economic crisis on young people’ for which I had the responsibility of leading both negotiations for Australia.

The moment that stands out for me the most was that of delivering an address on the 4th October to the 3rd Committee in which I described key moments of my National Engagement Tour, a tour I undertook to gain a deeper understanding of Australian youth. The tour involved traveling over 38,000 kilometers across Australia, meeting some of the most inspiring young people and organisations who wanted to have a positive impact on Australia and the world. But it was also on this tour that I encountered some of the most heart breaking moments, moments such as hearing from a young boy who shared his fears of living in a town that had seen the suicides of four young people within three months, the most recent just two months before I had arrived. It was these interactions that made me so proud to represent Australian youth on the international stage, it was these moments that created a sense of understanding of who I was representing.

During October I was joined by 24 other youth delegates representing their respective nations, delegates from Germany, Sweden, the Dominican Republic and many others in between. This was the most amazing month of my life. Meeting likeminded people inspires, challenges and opens your eyes to different perspectives. I am immensely proud to call them all my friends and proud of all their efforts in New York. Together we pushed the youth agenda forward within the GA resolution on youth, meeting challenges with enthusiasm and meeting criticism with the knowledge that we were all here to represent our dynamic, audacious generation.

October saw the wonderfully successful side-event organized by the German youth delegates on ‘Youth and Education for Sustainable Development’. This event attracted strong participation from many UN entities and organisations in an interactive dialogue on the beyond 2015 and Rio +20 agendas and the role of youth in shaping these discussions.

On the back of the success of this event I organised and spoke on a discussion panel, themed ‘Indigenous Children Globally: The road to 2012’. The event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Australia and Peru to the United Nations, guest panelists included the Director of Policy and Practice at UNICEF and a representative from the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Division of Social Policy Development. The event was held within the United Nations and chaired by the Ambassadors from the co-sponsoring nations. The event was a forward leaning, forward thinking discussion on the 2012 ‘Rights of the Child’ negotiations which, thanks to the EU and GRULAC group (Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries), will have a strong focus on Indigenous children globally.

Forward thinking, being able to look to the future, is a great ability and a great strength. It is something that involves selflessness, patience and a willingness to think beyond ourselves. I strongly believe that young people need to play a leading role, as catalysts for change in this forward thinking process. As I said in my panel address, “there is rarely a quick path to achieving positive change. Developing and delivering successful programs and shifting the mindsets of institutions and governments are processes that take time and dedication.” That is the challenge for our generation.

Time is conceptual, subjective and relevant to our surrounds. In the city that ‘never sleeps’ days become weeks and weeks suddenly become ‘how long is it since I’ve spoken to family?’. But it is this understanding that time is conceptual and subjective that creates the sense that age has no relevance to creating change, age has no bearing on what is achievable; it only presents a challenge of how you are going to make an impact. For the time is now.

Address to the 3rd Committee of the United Nations

Orginal speech delivered by Benson Saulo on the 4th Oct 2011.

Mr. Chair and fellow delegates,

I am delighted to address the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly as the Australian Youth Ambassador. As the world’s gaze is fixed on the impact that young people continue to have on societies around the globe, it is a privilege to represent the optimistic views and aspirations of Australian Youth.

My journey from growing up in the country town of Tamworth, New South Wales, attending a government school, to standing before you on the world stage as the first Aboriginal Australian to be appointed as Youth Ambassador is a testament to the opportunities available in Australia, an Australia that invests in human potential, an Australia that supports individual growth and community development.

I represent a generation that strongly believes that our future is not defined by borders or boundaries, race or religion but by our sense of responsibility to each other, an inherent sense of a global community which is premised on relationships and accountability.

Mr. Chair,

In May this year I began my National Engagement Tour, a tour that is undertaken to gain a deeper understanding of issues affecting young people at a local, national and international level. I themed my tour ‘Towards a Unified Australia’. It was inspired by a 2010 speech by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda, in which he discussed the steps taken, and journey still to go, for Australia to become a reconciled nation.

I have had the amazing opportunity to travel throughout Australia, over 38,000kms across our diverse and ancient landscape, visiting every State and Territory. I engaged over 10,000 people face-to-face and through social media. This opportunity continues to impact me not only as the Youth Ambassador but as a young Australian.

I have witnessed the challenges that continue to face families and young people living with disabilities, their teachers’ real concern for their student’s transition into further education and supported work, their family’s ongoing struggle for affordable carers. I have felt the weight of hopelessness in our most fragile communities, struggling with the intergenerational impacts of drugs, alcohol and cultural degradation. I have heard the concerns of the widening social gaps between generations and the growing trend of looking inward rather than looking outward.

While these concerns are very real, I am also filled with a sense of hope and optimism in the progress being made to address these issues. Knowledge that our commitment to our community still exists and our commitment to promote an equal and inclusive society is the core aspiration of enthusiastic and audacious young Australians.

Over the past 6 months I have had a particular focus on health, education, human rights and Indigenous affairs. My journey has provided an insight into each of these areas and has also highlighted the underlying common thread binding these areas; Education.

I am proud to say that the youth of Australia and the Australian government share a common vision, which is reflected in the commitments laid out in our National Strategy for Young Australians: “That all young people grow up safe, healthy, happy and resilient, and have the opportunities and skills they need to learn, work and engage in community life, and influence decisions that affect them.”

In the recent ‘Listen to Children’ report produced by the Australian Child Rights Taskforce, a coalition of 100 organizations, including UNICEF working with over 750 young people, identified that;

“There are specific groups of children who are not always afforded the same educational opportunities as other students, denying capacity to fulfill their potential. These groups include: Aboriginal children, children from refugee and newly arrived backgrounds and children with disabilities.”

Mr. Chair,

Education is the basis for the development of our future leaders, leaders in business, leaders in innovation and ultimately leaders in our society. We as a nation believe to truly build capacity and equip, not only these identified groups but wider society, with the tools to fulfill their potential – we must rethink education; we must rethink its delivery and its role in the development and engagement of young people.

It is with this conviction that we have taken positive steps to support diverse learning styles including formal, informal, alternative and bilingual modes of education because we believe in the vital importance of engaging all of our multicultural, multifaceted communities.

Beyond our shores, Australia is focused on supporting education programs throughout Asia, the pacific and the world. In Indonesia, Australia is helping to build over 4000 schools, enabling 650,000 children from the poorest families to receive a decent education. In Pakistan we are supporting the enrollment of 46,000 girls in rural primary schools. Enabling young people with disabilities to have access to education is a large component of the support Australia provides within the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia provides support for the transition from primary to secondary school for children with hearing impairment and intellectual disabilities in Samoa and we are supporting the Papua New Guinean Department of Education to produce disability inclusive infrastructure guidelines for schools.

Mr. Chair,

I am a firm believer that instilling a sense of social responsibility begins with the individual through exposure to and awareness of social issues. This awareness is also being supported through the rapid expansion of access to the internet and social media – empowering all generations to be connected and engaged in domestic and international dialogue, sharing and change.

My vision for the future of society lies in the fundamental belief that I am my brothers’ keeper; I am my sisters’ keeper. Understanding, that the lack of meaningful consultation at a grass-roots level prior to implementing unprecedented measures affecting these same communities; has an impact on all of our voices, in all of our communities. That 8 million displaced young people due to conflict, famine and environmental emergencies; has an impact on all of our abilities to ensure a secure future for humanity.

These are the impacts that we as a nation, we as a global community, must realize are not diminished by geographical and cultural divide because in a world that is becoming ever more technologically interconnected, as a global citizen, I believe, so to must our way of thinking.

Mr. Chair,

I support the Australian Child Rights Taskforce recommendation to establish an independent National Children’s Commissioner. A Commissioner with the key responsibility of: establishing the strategic direction for youth based policy development and monitoring the extent to which Australian children are realizing their rights under the United Nation’s Convention of the Rights of the Child which Australia ratified in 1991.

The creation of National Children Commissioners, not only in Australia but abroad, would be an important step for youth throughout the world, to ensure that their voices are heard and respected and to ensure that youth services are adequately resourced, implemented and supported through strong governmental frameworks.

Mr. Chair,

While there are many challenges and obstacles that face young people in Australia, and indeed globally, the sense of optimism in the future is evident. It is the young boy in the small town of Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, who wants to become a police officer so he can keep his community safe, it is the Noongah language teachers from Bunbury, Western Australia who believe culture is as relevant in our society today as ever, it is the vision shared by the young African refugee in Darwin with her goal to study medicine in Melbourne, Victoria.

These young people bare witness to the hope burning in our nation for a bright future for all, regardless of race, religion or gender. Through a continued focus on education, social responsibility and support for young people’s voices we can and must provide the opportunities that all young people deserve and that their rights specify under the convention. I have great faith that positive change through social development is attainable in our communities, in our institutions and indeed in our generation.

Thank you.

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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Watch other videos from my journey – here

The urgency of now: youth leadership

It is with great pleasure that in a few weeks I will be addressing the One Young World Conference in Zurich Switzerland, not only as the 2011 Australian Youth Ambassador to the United Nations but as a global citizen, as someone who believes that our future is not defined by borders and boundaries, race or religion but rather the fundamental belief that I am my brothers keeper,  that I am my sisters keeper.

The belief that our lives are as connected as the tops of the trees to the roots in the soil. In 1966 Robert Kennedy, addressing the youth of south Africa said:

“we can perhaps remember that those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short moment of life, that they seek as we do nothing but the chance, to live out their lives in purpose and happiness.”

It is this sense of responsibility to our fellow man that brings together over 1000 delegates to the One Young World Conference. We seek this purpose and happiness, not for ourselves but for our family, our friends and future generations.

This is the social footprint we hope to leave behind as we continue to kick down the doors that remain closed to young people throughout the world. These impacts create vibrations that shake the foundations of institutions moored in time, not to break but to build. Build better structures supporting young people.

I often quote Pericles – a Greek General from 500 – 400BC who stated:

“What we leave behind is not what is carved into stone monuments but what is woven in the hearts of others.”

While this quote is over two thousand years old it still rings true today. It is this common thread that binds us at every interaction, it is a rich tapestry of hope, passion and the sense of urgency.

A motif that I have witnessed on my travels throughout Australia, traveling over 32,000kms, engaging over 10,000 people face-to-face and through social media.

It is the urgency that formed the words of the Honduras Minister for Youth at the recent United Nations High Level Meeting on Youth when he said “We must vanquish that age-old cliche that the future belongs to the youth, for it is the present that belongs to the youth.” It is the passion the Foreign Minister for Tunisia showed when, referring to us as the Dot-Com Generation, he stated “we are counting on their strength to fulfill the promises of the revolution”. It is the hope shared by a school principal in Remote Northern Australia when he told me no one had graduated grade 12 in seven years but pointing out 4 students said these 4 students have the potential to be the first in their family, in their community to graduate and break the cycle of disadvantage that has gripped their town.

The 12th August 2011 brought to a close the International Year of Youth, themed Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. A wonderful and thoughtful theme that I believe should not be limited to the 12 month International Year of Youth but rather something we should continue to strive for at a local, national and international level.

I call on political leaders in Australia and throughout the world at all levels of Government to empower, support and develop young people in the decision making process with transparent and strong framework accessible to young people.

Support and develop youth leadership, not as tokenistic, short term project but as a meaningful investment into youthful enthusiasm, into the inherent sense of a global community in which responsibility and accountability is supported through transparent and tangible governmental framework.

Strengthening relations, bridging generational divide, enabling young people to have a voice in the direction of the country through participation, this must serve as youth engagement policy.

Young people are the most valuable human resource in the world but this resource remains unrealised throughout the world. I call on Governments to support the next generation of leaders, not only at a local level but on the world stage with clear, accessible channels to voice their concerns and hopes with tangible outcomes.

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Generational Change: Overcoming Division

Over the past 10days I have had the honor of traveling the Northern Territory with four inspiring young people from the UN Youth Association of Australia. We began our journey in Alice Springs on the 15th May. All very excited to undertake, what we knew would be an amazing experience and one that would open our understandings to the issues facing young people in remote and regional communities in Northern Territory.

Our journey would take us to a number schools along the road to our final destination; Darwin. We had varying expectations of the key issues affecting youth within the various towns but through our high school consultations we hoped to gain a deeper understanding. The consultations would ultimately assist me in representing the Youth of Australia at the United Nations General Assembly in September but beyond that I hoped it would help me understand the division between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous relations in the specific areas of Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Elliot, Katherine and Darwin.

From the outset it was clear that Indigenous and Non-Indigenous relations existed on a fine balance of tokenism, ignorance and out of sight out of mindedness. This became even more prevalent when visiting our first high school in Alice Springs; a private school in which we ran a whole day forum and workshops with a group of 30 students from 2 local schools. Understanding the issues that affected the youth consisted of various small workshops focusing on Local, National and International issues relating to Health, Education, National Security, Indigenous Affairs and Human Rights/Equality. Out of the 30 students there were no Indigenous students included in the groups. Under representation in the education system is a major concern of mine due to the fact that on the other end of the scale there is an over representation in the justice system not only in the NT but across Australia.

What concerned me more throughout the day was hearing the young students views on Indigenous and Non-Indigenous relations and the issues that they felt has consumed their community.

Over the past 5years I have been pushing for an inclusive society and promoting Indigenous relations within the corporate world as a representative from the Indigenous community working in Sydney and Melbourne head offices of a major bank, often as the only Indigenous person and often as the youngest person in the offices. Promoting a young, inspired generation of Indigenous youth who want positive change in attitudes and perceptions of the First Australians. These beliefs of positive change were to be challenged over the 10 days and my message of the exciting change young people can have in Australia’s future has taken a new focus of informing, discussing and biting my tongue on a number of views held by students and young leaders of schools.

Alcohol, violence and discrimination became the key themes across the Northern Territory, whether it was Alice Springs to Katherine, young people identified that these issues affected them directly by not feeling safe in their homes, concerned that friends and family might get caught in the cycle and the idea that the issues were to large to overcome.

Our role as representatives of the UN Youth Association of Australia was to facilitate these conversations and inspire the young groups to identify possible solutions in overcoming these areas of society disfunction. I am proud that we as a group encouraged free speech without limiting views or opinions on the various topics.

It is said that you are not born prejudice, it is a learned behavior. On the reverse of this, understanding, appreciation and empathy must also be learned behaviors. My concern is where are these lessons both positive and negative being taught and whose role is it to teach the socially acceptable lessons of understanding and appreciation?

Unfortunately the views of a large number of students were both ill-informed and socially bias against Indigenous Australians. Is this an individual or student problem? I don’t believe so. This is a short fall in the education of young people on Indigenous culture, history and government policy past and present.

We had a young student say the Stolen Generation would have worked if it was implemented properly, another suggested that black people should have their own school and be moved out of the towns. While these are deeply offensive views and disappointing to be held by 15-17 year olds but I have a hard time being frustrated at these individuals. If these students were informed of the past injustices and degradation of the oldest living culture I do not believe they would share the same view. This is an educational problem, a pit fall in the teachings of Australian history, the result of failed policies and the psychological impact of generational hurt within the Indigenous communities.

If we are to overcome the division in Australian society, my recent experiences suggest it must begin with the individuals understanding of these areas of division and the underlying factors that contribute to these divisions. I believe this should be the role of the teachers, schools and universities. Overcoming division will require a Generational Change through education with a strong emphasis on cultural awareness and social impacts faced by Indigenous Australians over the past 200 years.

 

Here is the 2011 Northern Territory Regional Engagement Road Trip Report: A Road to Change

Watch my recent interview with Roni Forrest in Perth, WA – Gen-Talk Interviews

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Quick Survey: What do you consider a long time? Take Survey

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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Partnerships: not a political quick fix

On the 13th February 2008 former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addressed the Nation in a powerful and emotional acknowledgment and apology to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations. Apologising for the pain, suffering and the degradation of the longest living Culture through past Government and Parliamentary policies. On this day, which has gone down in the history books and the hearts of many Australians both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous, there was a sense of National pride and the almost unspoken desire to become a reconciled Nation regardless of Race, Religion or Creed.

Kevin Rudd called for a “future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility for all Australians”. Like many young Australians both Indigenous and Non- Indigenous throughout Australia, I viewed this special event with excitement and pride. Watching the events unfold on the giant screen in Martin Place, Sydney, the energy of the crowd was evident though it was silent, hanging on every word.

Whilst standing shoulder to shoulder next to a complete stranger I couldn’t help but reflect on the stories I’d heard about Charles Perkins and the 1965 Freedom Ride. The excitement and unfamiliar sense of accomplishment as they travelled throughout country NSW, exposing on a National level the inequality and divide in Australian society. Building momentum and awareness on the road to the 1967 Referendum, in which more than ninety percent of Australians voted in favor to grant Indigenous Australians the right to be recognised as Australian citizens and for the Government to introduce legislation relating to Indigenous Affairs.

33 years following the Referendum the 2000 Bridge Walk, attracting over 300,000 participants from all ages and backgrounds from politicians, Indigenous leaders, mothers and fathers, marched in the name of National Reconciliation. Another milestone for Australian society, another symbol for social inclusion and progress, yet 12 years after the momentous Bridge Walk and 3 years following the Apology Speech this sense of progress and reform at the highest level of Government is beginning to fade.

The same factors continue to plague the progress of Reconciliation in Australia; Education, Employment and Health, particularly in Remote Communities. These are factors that should not be identifiers for the divide between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians, but rather be a uniting factor in the push for social inclusion regardless of heritage.

But does the ideology of sustainable change and positive outcomes fit within the life cycle of a Government? Or is it something that should be pursued outside of the political point scoring rhetoric of the current and past Governments?

In a recent article featured in The Age, the CEO of Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Ms Pat Brahim highlighted this issue when interviewed on the recent article focused on Tennant Creek: Teens roam Territory streets looking for sex, alcohol and trouble as quick fix policy fails by Lindsay Murdoch (28th March 2011)

“the town’s problems a symptom of policy and program failures over many years – programs imposed by often untrained, uninformed bureaucrats living far away who seek quick fixes that suit the electoral cycles of successive territory and federal governments “

The idea of self-determination and self-governance has been marred with Indigenous people being setup to fail, through lack of infrastructure to grow success at the grass roots stage of business and short sighted Parliamentary targets set on monetary injections with no longitudinal view for building a successful community. Followed by intergenerational view of ‘nothing works’ and ‘we’ve done everything for these people’ being the ultimate fall out and hopelessness as the inherent outcome.

It is clear that before we can effectively close the gaps in Education, Employment and Health we need to remove the ability of the Federal Government to use Aboriginal Australia as an election tool and place it into the hands of a bi-partisan task-force with a 7 to 10year life span to include and pro-actively consulate with Indigenous community members to implement effective community strategies. Effective strategies in areas of:

• Alternate learning styles within the public school system
• Cross-Generational Relationships throughout society
• Health and Well-being including traditional medicines and dietary education
• Financial Literacy at school level and beyond
• Drug and Alcohol education and rehabilitation
• Attracting graduating students to remote areas to build on teaching skills
• Governance training and small business management run through Corporate and Organisations
• Land management and tourism opportunities.

These are just some of the basic and broad areas that should not continue to be controlled at a Government Level but rather on the ground with frameworks and resources in place to enable organisations to engage and promote community participation identified and supported by and through the bi-partisan task-force.

You may look at these ‘Effective Strategy Areas’ and think these ‘strategies’ exist already, organisations are out there doing these things everyday. This is true. Alternate learning styles and drug and alcohol education aren’t new ideas, these are areas with proven positive outcomes yet why does a $4 million drug centre in the APY Lands of SA go under-utilised in a community that has been identified as a community ‘at risk’ by the Federal Government.

Jonathon Nicholls from Uniting Care Wesley, in response to a SA State Government report to the Federal Government on the utilisation of the Facility, said;

“The report un-categorically says that those services don’t need a $4 million facility to operate”.

“It doesn’t need a collection of six buildings to meet the needs in remote Aboriginal communities”.

An un-targeted, short sighted, large financial injection political nightmare. A plain example of the lack of community and community based organisation consultation on the part of Government. SA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Grace Portolesi advised the decision on the centres future will be made shortly and that:

“I’d be more concerned about throwing good money after bad money in, insisting for the sake of pride that we maintain the service that does no longer resonate with community it’s seeking to service.”

Yet another service or facility wound back to save face with voters and the public, yet another Indigenous community falling into the “nothing works” category of Indigenous affairs.

It is time to move away from government controlled initiatives relating to the serious issues in Indigenous Affairs and our put faith back into our community through the long term support from a bi-partisan task-force working independently from the Government electoral cycles and working inclusive with Indigenous communities and organisations to develop and implement sustainable outcomes for Indigenous people right across Australia. This is the “future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility for all Australians” that Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spoke of.

• Check out the GenerationOne Website to see some positive partnerships in action!
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And like always I encourage you to reply if you agree or disagree with any of my thoughts, debates on these kinds of topics are important and I am always very open to others opinions and feed back!

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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On Stage with Don Bemrose: Opera Singer – Gungarri Man

 

Following the positive responses to my recent blog ‘Music Minded? Where’s the heart’.

 

I recently had the absolute pleasure of meeting and interviewing Australia’s foremost Male Aboriginal Classical Artist, Don Bemrose. Don is a classically trained Opera Singer with amazing talent and aspirations of becoming Australia’s leading Opera Singer on the World Stage. Don grew up in a small Hinterland town on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, a proud Gungarri man whose family hail from the Cherbourg Aboriginal community.

An easy going young man with a mischievous smile and great sense of humor which is common when growing up around the Aboriginal Community. It was immediately obvious that Don is a man who likes to tell a story when he broke into immediate laughter after I sat down and asked about his early days and particularly how a young Aboriginal man becomes an Opera singer.

“In Music class at high school” he began in his warm baritone voice, “we had to sing a song for an assessment, in those days I was unable to read music but fortunately I was able to receive some musical coaching from my very first and longest fan, Mrs Cruickshank. I sang “Sunrise, Sunset” from 1964 Broadway musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and received one of the top marks in the grade.”

“My teachers colluded and within months I was selected, along with two other students from my school to audition and be accepted into a Sunshine Coast Regional Youth Choir that toured to Osaka, Japan for an International Chorus Festival.”

From the age of 12, Don had said with conviction he will be an International Superstar, which early on was heard as a child’s flippant remark by his family but with his talent and drive it was something they couldn’t over look.

“I think I have the best family in the world. They are VERY proud, though I am not sure it was always that way. I would have forgiven them for thinking I was just a dreamer.” He laughs. “In fact they may have been happier at first had I chosen to play guitar and sing country. But since singing the National Anthem at the 2008 State of Origin match, Game 2 at Lang Park, I noticed a huge difference in their support and encouragement. Mum and Dad regularly cry when they hear me sing so I can’t have them in the front row because it always gets me started.”

In the Aboriginal community there has always been a push for role models and positive influences. Today, Indigenous mentoring and mentors are a common thing in Schools and the workforce as the work to encourage participant and retention rates whiles offering support to the students or workers. I noticed Don’s position shift slightly in his chair, I think he was anticipating my following question about his role models in an area that traditional wasn’t an area excelled in by Indigenous Australians.

His eyes lifted as taking a second to recount a fond memory. “My inspirational Nana Ruth Hegarty, is a fabulous soprano in her church ensemble. Though never having learnt how to read music, she shared with our family a documentary on a fellow called Harold Blair. I watched with awe, amazement and pride as the story of this proud fellow Gungarri man unfolded.”

“Harold Blair was an amazing Tenor discovered in the cane fields of Queensland who went on to study at the Melba Conservatory and sing around Australia as well as training and performing in New York in the 50s-60′s. Harold was the first ever Aboriginal Singer on ABC Radio”. Don’s face light up with his mischievous grin, “The documentary told of how the Aboriginal prisoners rioted with joy after hearing his first live radio performance.”

“I was struck by the magnificence of his voice and the operatic voice in general, I knew at that moment that I wanted to be an ABORIGINAL Opera singer. I wanted to learn to sing like that, I thought it was incredible.” Upon reflection of the story, Don is amazed at the certainty of his aspirations at that point in time. To be an Opera Singer is what he wanted to be more than anything in the world. And the stardom he jokingly added.

“Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself” - George Bernard Shaw

“In 2003, I walked away from the music industry because my culture was not being supported or highlighted in anyway. It tore at me for years”. “Did I make the right decision in walking away, in choosing my culture over my career?” Don contemplated. “I wanted to have both my culture and the stage but at that stage I didn’t know how I could.”

“In March 2008 it was all brought together when a phone call from Yorta Yorta descendant Deborah Cheetham, an incredible Indigenous Soprano and Composer, offered me a lead role in Australia’s first Indigenous Opera, Pecan Summer.” With pride swelling in his voice Don acknowledged, “I will never be able to thank Deborah enough for giving me an avenue for my dream to come true to be an ABORIGINAL Opera Singer! And for the past two year I have been living that dream and am so happy.”

“The biggest thing to stand out to me working with Deborah on Pecan Summer was what amazing athletes opera singers are. We all know the stereotypical horned fat lady hitting the high note. But I don’t think anyone who hasn’t trained professionally would know how physically demanding singing is. Many hours are spent training and whilst we don’t see the results as far as superficially muscles, anyone that can effectively scream for 3 hours and still have a voice at the end is doing something brilliant! Standing beside an opera singer whilst they are singing fortissimo is one of the most amazing experiences.”

It is easy to see the passion Don has for his profession and the pride he has for his family and friends and the fact he is so appreciative of the support and hard work that has gone into his budding career. His goal, at the age of 12 was to be the best and this is hasn’t changed.

“I constantly want to improve who I am, how I sound and how I perform. You have to have commitment to yourself and your dream and surround yourself with supportive friends and family that are willing to give you what you need and also hold a mirror to your weaknesses to encourage growth in the pursuit.”

I asked Don if he could list 3 of his future goals and without missing a beat he rattled off:

1. Sing the National Anthem at the AFL Grand Final.
2. Soloist at the Christmas Carols at the Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve.
3. Perform at La Scala in Milan, the New York Metropolitan Opera House, Convent Garden in London and our very own Sydney Opera House.

Don is currently writing his first EP with the help of Jessie Lloyd and Songlines Aboriginal Music in Melbourne. He has approached some of Australian’s top classical composers and arrangers to work with him. He new works will speaks of his culture through stories presented in a classical genre with a contemporary Australian Aboriginal edge.

It was a huge honor to interview such an inspirational person who’s passion for music and life is contagious. I recommend keeping an eye out for him because he is going to be one of Australia’s greatest Male Opera Singers.

To contact or stay up-to-date with Don check out the below links:

Website: Don Bemrose: Educate – Inspire – Entertain

Blog: Don Bemrose: Blogspot

Twitter: OperaDon