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 February 2006
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NEWS AND VIEWS
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EDITORIAL > YOUNG MEN AND VIOLENCE: A CASE OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION?
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 The upsetting events in Cronulla in December, more recent incidents at the cricket in Melbourne (see ‘An ugly echo of Cronulla at the Telstra Dome’ in The Age 18/01/06), and reported clashes between groups of young men in a number of local metropolitan areas, all raise questions about whether violence, and in particular violence between groups of young men, is on the increase, or whether the riots in December simply drew attention to underlying frustrations that are neither unique to these groups of young men or to this period in history. The issue of young men and violence has certainly been a recurring one for many years, and CMYI believes it is a contentious issue that needs to be debated.
When we consider the commonalities between some of these incidences – access to space and territoriality, expressions of masculinity, violence as a means of conflict resolution, socioeconomic disadvantage, racism and perceptions of racism – pertinent questions are raised about social exclusion and the consequences of poor settlement not only on newly arrived young people, but on the children and grandchildren of migrants and refugees.
The Social Exclusion Unit of the UK government reports that young people’s experiences of exclusion are tied to family life characterised by disrupted relationships, poverty and “worklessness”; education that fails to meet their needs or motivate them; peer pressures that encourage sexual activity, drug taking or crime; low expectations and the absence of adult role models; victimisation and bullying; and an inadequate response from public services (Social Exclusion Unit 2000:8).
Where young people lack access to safe spaces and are frustrated by lack of opportunities (for example, living in poor and insecure accommodation where there is little connection to the broader community, and where opportunities for sport and recreation, employment and education are limited), it is perhaps unsurprising that frustrations boil over. Where racism and perceptions of racism (i.e. young people perceiving behaviour or actions as racist, whether this is the case or not) are added to the mix, there is a danger in attributing incidences of violence to particular groups based on their cultural identity without recognising broader issues.
At a time when 'multiculturalism' is under debate and ‘terrorism’ has become a mainstay in our media and collective consciousness, it is important that we keep an eye on some of the broader structural issues and frustrations that underlie incidences of violence between groups of young men. In promoting good settlement outcomes as a way of alleviating some of the frustrations that lead to violence, we should be asking: What is being done to ensure young people have access to spaces where they can feel safe? What opportunities are available for young people to participate in activities that promote self-esteem and a sense of belonging? What kind of role models are out there for CLD young men, and what is being done to ensure that male role models are supported (e.g. male youth workers)? And more importantly, what needs to be done to promote greater understanding in the broader community around cultural diversity and the inherent strengths that migrants and refugees bring to our country?
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Do you have thoughts on any of these issues that you’d like to contribute to the next CMYI e-news? We’re looking for people who are interested in contributing different perspectives on issues relating to multicultural youth. To register your interest or to submit a comment or response to this editorial, contact Louise Olliff, Policy & Communications Officer, or call (03) 9340 3709.
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NEWS > REPORT CALLS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CHARTER
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In December, the State Government endorsed in principle the newly released report of the Human Rights Consultative Committee - Rights, Responsibilities and Respect - that recommended a range of things including the implementation of a Victorian Human Rights & Responsibilities Charter.
The Charter would be an Act of Parliament covering important civil and political rights (e.g. freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, taking part in public life, cultural rights). The report calls for a review in four years that must include consideration of whether to expand the Charter to include social, economic and cultural rights.
A Charter would set out the values, rights and responsibilities that are necessary for a strong democracy and better society. A Charter would provide a basis for community education and help to build a Victorian culture of respect and justice for all. A Charter would be a tool for furthering rights. It could be used to raise the profile and legitimacy of rights among decision makers at a State and Local Government level. A Charter for Victoria that protected civil and political rights would be a first important step on which we can work to create future political feasibility for the protection of equally important social, economic and cultural rights.
Australia is the only Commonwealth country and the only OECD country not to have a human rights instrument. Other states are watching closely to see what happens in Victoria. A Charter for Victoria would definitely lend strength to a future Federal push (see Human Rights Act Homepage).
The Rights, Responsibilities and Respect Report and summary are available to download from www.justice.vic.gov.au.
(Adapted from Federation of Community Legal Centres)
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NEWS > VICTORIAN YOUTH POLICY CONSULTATION
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The State Government is currently reviewing youth policy in Victoria with the intention of refreshing and building on Respect: the Government’s Vision for Young People. CMYI strongly encourages all organisations to take part in this important consultation to influence the future direction of youth policy in Victoria.
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Consultation with young people
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CMYI will be holding a forum on 23rd February for CLD young people to have the opportunity to provide input. Please circulate an invitation to any CLD young people interested in attending this forum. Download invitation here
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Consultation with workers
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VCOSS and YACVic are hosting a consultation in partnership with the Office for Youth to gather the views and insights of a wide range of community organisations on what a new youth policy for Victoria might look like.
Where: Condell Room, Melbourne Town Hall
When: 16th February
Time: 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
RSVP: Larissa Barrie, info@yacvic.org.au or (03) 9267 3799 by Monday Feb 13.
See Events section for more details on how to get involved in the consultations.
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NEWS > NEW MBS HEALTH CHECK FOR REFUGEES
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The Commonwealth Government will introduce a new Medicare item to encourage GPs to provide comprehensive health assessments to refugees and other humanitarian entrants within six months of their arrival in Australia.
According to a media release from Minister Abbott’s office (22/11/05), ‘the new item will allow doctors to target and treat complex and serious medical conditions and will take into account the time and effort required to provide this service, particularly when doctors are faced with language and cultural barriers.’
The new item should be introduced in May 2006.
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NEWS > REVISED ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICES TO ASYLUM SEEKERS
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The Minister for Health, Bronwyn Pike MP, announced on 25th November 2005 that public hospitals are to cease raising charges against asylum seekers for necessary medical care where it is assessed that they have a limited capacity to pay.
In Victoria, as a general rule, public hospitals will provide emergency treatment to anyone, irrespective of their Medicare status. Whilst there is not a Victorian statutory requirement compelling hospitals to provide treatment to Medicare-ineligible persons, there is a common law duty of care, which curtails the refusal to provide emergency treatment when it can otherwise be provided. Ordinarily these services, when provided to ineligible persons, should be provided on a full-cost recovery basis.
For more information, go to: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/hospitalcirculars/circ05/circ2705.htm
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WHAT'S NEW AT CMYI?
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NEW AFRICAN YOUTH AND FAMILY COMMUNITY PROJECT TO BEGIN IN SOUTH EAST
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CMYI, as part of a coalition of groups that came together at MYAG (Multicultural Youth Action Group) in the South East, have employed a part time project worker to work with African young people and their families. The project aims to build connections between African young people, their families and local services including the police, child protection and schools. The project has been funded by Schools Focus Youth Service and will be based with CMYI at the VISY Centre in Dandenong.
The project worker will work with a group of young people to establish a youth advisory group to develop strategies for building knowledge and understanding between services, young people and their families. The project will run from mid March 2006 until February 2007. All inquiries about the project should be directed to Zara Bautista on (03) 9794 0057.
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CMYI PEOPLE
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|  | Leanne McGaw, Senior Policy Officer – Youth Engagement
| CMYI would like to welcome Leanne McGaw to our team. Leanne will be heading up the Youth Engagement Team, involving the mentoring and youth leadership programs as well as working with refugee youth groups. Leanne has previously worked at the Australian Red Cross in the asylum seeker and immigration detention programs and coordinated an AusAID funded project in East Timor for a national medical organisation. She most recently worked as a social worker and participatory researcher with unaccompanied minors in the UK and undertook research for World Vision with orphans of HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
"I am very excited to be in this new position at CMYI. I feel passionate about youth participation and hope I can help to increase the voice of CLD young people."
Contact Leanne at lmcgaw@cmyi.net.au
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UPCOMING TRAINING: GOOD PRACTICE PRINCIPLES FOR WORKING WITH REFUGEE YOUNG PEOPLE
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Wednesday May 10th, 9.30-4.00, venue T.B.A.
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This free training session will explore the strategies to implement trust, understanding and social justice when engaging refugee young people. The training will be based around the Good Practice Principles: Guide for Working with Refugee Young People document. For more information or to RSVP contact info@cmyi.net.au or call (03) 9349 3466.
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NEW CMYI RESOURCES
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Culturally Inclusive Planning for Sports (CIPS) Toolkit
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The CIPS Toolkit can assist organisations begin the process of CLD inclusion. CMYI also provides free training for sport and recreation providers. To find out more about the CIPS toolkit or training, contact Assunta Morrone, Senior Policy Officer – Sport and Recreation, or call (03) 9349 3466.
The CIPS Toolkit can be downloaded here or hard copies are available from CMYI.
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Opening the School Gate: Engaging CLD Families in Schools
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A practical resource to assist schools in engaging CLD families. Opening the School Gate will be launched in late February/early March. For more information contact Kate O’Sullivan, CMYI Senior Policy Officer (kateos@cmyi.net.au).
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CMYI LOGO AND WEBSITE
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| | CMYI has a new logo and look! Over the past two months we have been introducing our new logo and freshening up our look, including launching the new CMYI website. If you have any feedback on how we can make our website even better, we’d love to hear from you. (Email: info@cmyi.net.au)
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POSTCARD FROM HUME
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WILLOW KELLOCK - JPET Youth Worker (Northern Region)
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Over the past few months, JPET and Reconnect have been active in Hume running several programs in partnership with other local agencies. These include:
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| | Refugee Week
| To celebrate Refugee week, a recreational evening was held for young people from CLD backgrounds at Youth Central. Over 40 young men turned out to participate in a soccer round robin competition. The young women who attended participated in a Circus workshop facilitated by West Side Circus and created a Refugee Week Art Banner to be displayed at Dianella. Dianella, Banksia Gardens Community Centre, CMYI and VICSEG joined together to create a great evening with a halal barbeque and free raffle (with prizes such as sports equipment and CD vouchers).
The evening highlighted the need for more accessible and on-going recreational opportunities for young people from CLD backgrounds in Hume. Often it seems that programs are run on a once-off basis, or the costs associated make it difficult for young people to participate. CMYI is committed to engaging with sport and recreation providers and those in the youth sector to address these issues of basic access and participation.
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Broadmeadows Secondary College Soccer Match
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To follow up from the success of Refugee Week, CMYI joined with Australian Lebanese Welfare, VICSEG and Broadmeadows Secondary College and Football Federation Victoria to hold a soccer competition followed by a barbeque in the last week of school for 2005. The afternoon was a great success, with follow-up discussions about how to create sustainability in terms of soccer and recreational opportunities for young people in Hume.
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Pre-Employment & Work Experience Program
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In November & December 2005, JPET ran a pilot program with Banksia Gardens Community Centre and Dianella, aimed at increasing young people from CLD & refugee backgrounds’ chance of gaining employment or work experience. A number of services helped to create a great training program of issues related to securing and maintaining employment, including Kangan Batman TAFE, Job Network and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Several of the young people who completed the course were able to find on-going employment or work experience as a direct result of the program.
It appears that many schools have now dropped work experience from the curriculum, making it difficult for young people to gain valuable skills and experience that can often lead to employment. Young people from CLD backgrounds can often lack confidence in this area due to language barriers, a lack of networks, and lack of understanding of Australian systems and work culture. Programs such as this are an attempt to provide greater opportunities for CLD young people to gain the skills and experience to find employment.
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Roxburgh Park Girls Group
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Late last year, CMYI Reconnect in partnership with Dianella ran a social/recreational group with newly arrived CLD young women from Roxburgh Park Secondary College. The aim of the group was to provide social and recreational opportunities for the young women, and to them with provide orientation to their local area and increase their awareness of services. Lack of adequate public transport in the local area can make it difficult for young women to access recreational programs and general services, contributing to social isolation. The success of this program lay in the ability of the workers’ involved to provide transport for the girls, including dropping them back to their homes in consultation with the young women’s families. Once again, the program highlighted the need for on-going, accessible recreational and social opportunities for young people in Hume.
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For more information on any of these activities, contact Willow Kellock, JPET Youth Worker.
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FROM THE SECTOR: NEW RESOURCES AND EVENTS
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Details of upcoming events, conferences and new resources in the CLD youth sector. If you have an event or resource you want promoted through the newsletter, please send details to louise@cmyi.net.au.
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New Resources
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- African Australian Welfare Council– new website. Check it out at www.aawc.org.au
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- MyLanguage.gov.au – a partnership between the State Libraries of NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, and WA and the NT and ACT Library and Information Services. Website provides access to resources including search engines, web directories, government websites, online dictionaries and syndicated news in 63 languages. Go to www.mylanguage.gov.au
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- Debunking Myths about Muslims in Australia - Since the events of September 11, 2001, Bali in October 2002 and London in 2005, the religion of Islam has consistently been associated with terrorism. The Edmund Rice Centre has published a 2-page brief that challenges some of the common misconceptions about Muslim Australians and Islam. To download factsheet, go to: www.erc.org.au/just_comments/1131689123.shtml
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- How You Can Help Migrants and Humanitarian Entrants – A Volunteer’s Guide. The first of its kind, the Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council’s (RRAC) Volunteer’s Guide aims to encourage people from all walks of life to volunteer in helping migrants, refugees and other humanitarian entrants to settle into the Australian community. To download go to: www.immi.gov.au/settle/providers/
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- Writes of Passage: A Dialogue with Young Australians about Human Rights - HREOC report providing an insightful snapshot into what Australian young people think about contemporary issues such as terrorism, workplace reforms, torture, refugees, Indigenous issues and bullying. Through essays and artwork, the young people also share their observations on discrimination, equality, tolerance, vilification and many other topics. www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/rights_of_passage/
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Training, Conferences and Forums
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- Strengths Based Supervision - 15-16 February; 17-18 July
- Collaborative Solution Oriented Team Management - 23-24 February; 29-30 May
- Strengths Based Solution Oriented Practice - 3-4 April; 6-7 July
- Solution Oriented Counselling - 7 April.
Courses offered by Bernadette Glass & Associates for anyone working in human services. For more information, call 0417 601 817 or email: bgss@bigpond.com
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- Family Violence & Homelessness: Needs and Responses in Service Provision– 15 February, 10am-12noon
Maribyrnong City Council Reception Rooms, RSVP for catering purposes by emailing gabrielle@whwest.org.au or phoning Luise at reception on 9689 9588. For more information contact Kirsten Campbell, Family Violence Prevention Networker: 9689 9588 or kirsten@whwest.org.au
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- Consumer Participation and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities - 15 February
The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health workshop is designed to assist health professionals who are new to consumer participation. For more information or to register contact vivienf@ceh.org.au
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- West Africa Community Profile – 22 February, 12-1.30pm
Darebin Shire Hall, 286 Gower Street, Preston. The Northern Migrant Resource Centre in collaboration with Darebin, Moreland and Whittlesea Councils, will present a series of community profiles in 2006 to prepare and support the general community in welcoming new settlers to Victoria. RSVP: reception@mrcne.org.au one week prior to the presentation or call (03) 9484 7944 for more information.
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- Outside the classroom: Out of school learning support for school-aged refugees - 1 March, 5-6pm
Refugee Health Research Centre Seminar to be held at Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, 6 Gardiner Street, Brunswick. For more information go to www.latrobe.edu.au/rhrc/conferences.html
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- What are the Challenges in Culturally Sensitive Risk Assessment? – 2 March, 8.45am-2pm
Maribyrnong City Council Reception Rooms, RSVP for catering purposes by emailing gabrielle@whwest.org.au or phoning Luise at reception on 9689 9588. For more information contact Kirsten Campbell, Family Violence Prevention Networker: 9689 9588 or kirsten@whwest.org.au
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- Orientation: the Refugee Experience - March 23; April 20
- A Framework for Working with Refugee Survivors of Torture and Trauma - March 23; April 20
- School’s In for Refugees: a Whole School Approach to Refugee Readiness - 12/19 April; 24/31 May
- Course for “Incidental” Counsellors: Skills for Working with Refugee Survivors - 11 & 18 May
- Towards Culturally Sensitive Practice: Engaging with Islamic Spirituality - 8 June.
Foundation House Training Calendar (February-June 2006) now available to download. To register for any of these sessions or for more information, go to: www.foundationhouse.org.au/professional.php
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- Reforming the Legal Response to Family Violence in Victoria – 30 March, 10am-12noon
Maribyrnong City Council Reception Rooms, RSVP for catering purposes by emailing gabrielle@whwest.org.au or phoning Luise at reception on 9689 9588. For more information contact Kirsten Campbell, Family Violence Prevention Networker: 9689 9588 or kirsten@whwest.org.au
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- Refugee Access and Participation in Tertiary Education - 5 April, 5-6pm
Refugee Health Research Centre Seminar to be held at Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, 6 Gardiner Street, Brunswick. For more information go to www.latrobe.edu.au/rhrc/conferences.html
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- Understanding Islam and Ramadan – 19 April, 12-1.30pm
Moreland Council Chambers, Moreland Civic Centre, 90 Bell Street, Coburg. The Northern Migrant Resource Centre in collaboration with Darebin, Moreland and Whittlesea Councils, will present a series of community profiles in 2006 to prepare and support the general community in welcoming new settlers to Victoria. RSVP: reception@mrcne.org.au one week prior to the presentation or call (03) 9484 7944 for more information.
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- Step into Voluntary Work: Increasing the cultural diversity of the volunteer sector - a 3-day course that has been developed and delivered by the Australian Multicultural Foundation and Judith Miralles and Associates over the past three and a half years. The program delivers workshops to volunteer coordinators and managers on recruitment, inclusive training, support and mentoring of volunteers from CLD backgrounds as well as strategies to increase the diversity of the volunteer program across the organisation. For more information contact Lynn Cain, Training and Project Development Manager, AMF, (03) 9347 6622 or lynn.cain@rmit.edu.au
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- YOUTH HEALTH 2006 - 13-15 November 2006, Sydney.
The 5th Australian and New Zealand Adolescent Health Conference. A call for papers has been issued. For more info on themes and abstracts submissions contact Sharyn Low from Matrix On Board, Conference Secretariat, 5th Australian and New Zealand Youth Health Conference, ph: (02) 4572 3079; fax: (02) 4572 3972; email: sharyn@mob.com.au or write to Sharyn Low at PO Box 4023 Pitt Town NSW 2756. Visit the conference website: www.youthhealth2006.org
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Events
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- Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC) AGM and 2006 Women Celebrating Culture International Women’s Day Event – 1 March 2006, 9:30am – 3:00pm.
Collingwood Town Hall, 140 Hoddle Street, Collingwood (entry via Stanton Street). VIRWC will be highlighting how women celebrate certain aspects of their culture with other women, their daughters, their children and friends and showcasing traditional ceremonies, prayers, festivals, dances, plays and music. Further details for this event are online at www.virwc.org.au/news/events/060301.php
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- Cultural Diversity Week – 17-23 March.
For more information about Statewide activities, or to register a local event taking place for Cultural Diversity Week, go to www.culturaldiversity.vic.gov.au
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- The Office for Youth is updating the Government's Youth Policy – February.
To have your say you can either take part in a series of discussion forums or participate in an online consultation program. Discussion forums are being held throughout Victoria in February. The online consultation program consists of two surveys; one for young people (12-25 years old) and one for adults (26+ years old). The surveys are open until the end of February. Young people can also enter a competition to name the new policy, by entering the competition they go into the running to win an Xbox 360. For more information on how to get involved in this consultation process, go to: Office for Youth website.
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FROM THE SECTOR: PROJECT, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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Information and updates on new projects, programs and services in the sector. If you are involved in a project that you would like others in the sector to know about, send details to louise@cmyi.net.au.
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New Projects and Programs
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Young Women's Basketball Program
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FREE young women only basketball clinics, every Sunday starting
February 12 to 23 April 2006 at RecWest, Lily Street, Braybrook, 2pm-5pm
> Free basketball for any young woman who attends 4 sessions
> Free registration to Sunshine Basketball Association for any young woman who attends 8 sessions
> Free uniform for any young woman who joins a Sunshine Basketball Association team
For more information email Assunta Morrone: amorrone@cmyi.net.au or download flyer here
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Learn to play Australian Rules Football
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WRFL are offering free beginners clinics for young people aged 13-20 at Skinners Reserve in Braybrook. Female and male clinics are available. Dates for clinics are: 13th Feb, 20th Feb, 27th Feb, 3rd March, 3-4pm. For more information or to register contact Braybrook Community Centre on (03) 9354 6600.
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SBS Radio "Youth Power" Competition
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SBS Radio's Arabic Language Program is holding a competition - "Youth Power" - which invites young people between the age of 13-29 to submit an original recording about an issue that concerns the Arabic community. Entrants are encouraged to be creative and the recording can take the form of spoken word, song, music, stand-up comedy, essay, sketch, monologue, comedy or any creative piece. For more information go to: www.sbs.com.au/arabic
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‘Lead On Again’ Leadership Program
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Run by Women’s Health West and funded by the Office of Women’s Policy, 'Lead On Again' is designed for young women aged 16-25 from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Over five days in mid-January, young women participated in workshops exploring leadership, conflict resolution and practical skills required to work within the community. Women’s Health West identified opportunities to link young women with agencies and community projects, to enable them to use their new skills and advocate for change in areas they are interested in. For more information about the Lead On Again Leadership Program, contact Jane or Sally at Women’s Health West on (03) 9689 9588.
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Funding
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Building Stronger Communities Grants
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Four different grants are being offered through the Department for Victorian Communities as part of this program. They are: • Modernising Neighbourhood Houses Program • Community Bus Program • Volunteer Support Grants • Community Enterprise Grants. Grants can be applied for individually or combined as part of a package. The closing date for applications is Friday 24 February 2006. For further information, contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356. Or download the application form and guidelines from the web: www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au/docs/ProgramGuidelines_GrantsPackage.pdf
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Doxa Youth Foundation
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Doxa is offering small grants ($5,000) to community organisations for projects/programs with an education focus. Grant applications will be considered on 22 February. For more information contact Doxa at: info@doxa.org.au or call (03) 9328 8100.
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The Foundation for Young Australians’ Spark Fund
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The Spark Fund is aimed at supporting the ideas and communities of young Australians. The Spark Fund is a new initiative that will financially support a young person or group of young people all aged 12-25 years, to ‘Ignite an innovative idea’ which makes a positive contribution to the community and enhances their skills and experiences. For further information on this funding opportunity, as well as application forms and guidelines, log on to www.youngaustralians.org or contact The Foundation for Young Australians on (03) 9670 5436.
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IN THE NEWS
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Multicultural youth issues in the media – what are some of the issues that are making it into the news? If you come across media articles you think should be highlighted in this newsletter, please forward to louise@cmyi.net.au.
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Howard’s way: multiculturalism is out, assimilation is in (The Age 27/01/06)
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In the context of the Cronulla race riots, John Howard reaffirmed Australia's commitment to racial equality, "coupled with an absolute determination to ensure that all sections of the Australian community are fully integrated into the mainstream of our national life".
The Age staff writer, Sushi Das, questions whether being fully integrated into mainstream Australian life means taking on Australia's dominant cultural pattern, which Howard defines as Judeo-Christian.
“Not only that, [Howard] said Australians had "drawn back from being too obsessed with diversity" allowing them to appreciate the values of the national character.”
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www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/01/26/1138066918369.html
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