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 September 2007
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NEWS AND VIEWS
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PLAYING FOR THE FUTURE: THE ROLE OF SPORT AND RECREATION IN SUPPORTING REFUGEE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ‘SETTLE WELL’ IN AUSTRALIA
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By Louise Olliff, Policy Officer, CMYI
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Since 2000, there has been much discussion and various government initiatives focusing on sport and recreation programs for newly arrived young people. Sport and recreation is often identified as a high priority area for refugee and migrant young people, yet there has been limited evidence-based research or critical thinking into how - or whether sport and recreation actually is - an effective settlement tool. For example, how much has the ‘settlement through sport’ agenda been influenced by the shifting demographics of Australia’s humanitarian program and the significant proportion of the intake made up of young African men? What do we know about the impact of sport and recreation on settlement outcomes? Has the increasing interest in sport and recreation as settlement detracted from broader structural issues that impact more heavily on settlement outcomes, such as education, housing, employment and health? And how are young women’s needs being addressed in all of this?
Within this context, CMYI held a forum in April 2007 and a series of subsequent consultations with workers, community members and young people to explore the role that sport and recreation plays in supporting refugee young people to ‘settle well’ in Australia. Below is a summary of findings from the resulting CMYI discussion paper, Playing for the future. Click here to download the full discussion paper.
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Findings
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The benefits of participating in sport and active recreation have been well documented in studies (see VicHealth). The figure below, for example, shows some of the potential benefits of participation, ranging from personal through to socio-cultural and economic benefits.
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Figure. Potential benefits of sports participation
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| | | | | - Sense of achievement, meaning and life satisfaction
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| | - Social interaction and community strengthening
| - Reduced antisocial behaviour and crime
| - Promotion of ethnic and cultural harmony
| | - Promoting community involvement, pride and empowerment
| - Offering access for the disabled or disadvantaged
| - Promotes ethical behaviour models
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| | - Cost-effective health prevention
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| | | | | - International representation and influence
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(Adapted from Collins and Kay (2003:28-33). Cited in Cortis, Sawrikar & Muir 2007, p.42)
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While these (potential) benefits are applicable to young people from any background, the common settlement experiences of refugee young people mean that sport and recreation can also provide additional support as young people negotiate their past, present and future in Australia. These attributes include:
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- Sport and recreation as a site for trust building – Sport is a familiar activity in which young people readily participate. This provides fertile opportunity for those delivering services to engage with young people and build trust, having a significant flow on effect for young people’s help-seeking during settlement.
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- Sport and recreation facilitating settlement and transitional support – Opportunities to play sport or participate in fun activities in familiar and supportive environments can also provide a site whereby information about other services and systems in Australia can be shared among participants and through trusted workers.
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- Sport and recreation as a diversion strategy – Young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds can feel disconnected from their family, community and peers as they search for their own sense of place in Australia. This search can sometimes lead young people to come into contact with risk-taking behaviour. Diversionary activities such as sport and recreation may prevent some of this contact and give young people a sense of belonging. Participation does not, however, guarantee a diversionary outcome. Sport and recreation programs need to be structured and coordinated with locally based services that can address issues as they arise both on and off the field.
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- Sport and recreation as a capacity building opportunity – Sport and recreation can be used to explore real life issues and challenges, particularly as they relate to the dislocation and tensions inherent in the settlement process. Often viewed as a microcosm of life, the sporting field provides an environment whereby actions and consequences can be explored. In the same vein, targeted recreation programs such as men’s/girls’ groups, camps and creative arts programs, can provide a space for young people to develop a range of life skills and explore their own strengths and personal development. This process does, however, require skilled workers who have gained the trust and respect of young participants.
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- Sport and recreation as a therapeutic outcome – Providing accessible sport and recreation opportunities can be important for young people who have experienced significant trauma prior to arrival in Australia. Many refugee young people have spent prolonged periods in refugee camps and conflict zones and may not have ever had opportunities to play as other young people have. Having the opportunity to play – which is so important in the formative years of a person’s life – provides a space for young people to form connections and take some time out from the stress of negotiating resettlement and in recovering from the impact of trauma.
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- Sport and recreation as an entry point to broader participation – Sport and recreation represents a practical and accessible entry point for addressing the needs of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds and providing links between and within communities. Newly arrived young people may start by participating in an ethno-specific or targeted multicultural program, but after gaining confidence can more easily be linked into other participation opportunities, such as mainstream sports clubs or competitions and different recreation activities.
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- Sport and recreation promotes health and wellbeing – Participating in a sports club or recreation activity has been shown to have positive social and psychological effects. These include increased self-esteem, better development of life skills, and increase in academic achievement (VicHealth 2006). For refugee and newly arrived young people who may not have had the opportunity or time to play prior to settlement, participating in sport or recreation has many additional health benefits, particularly in terms of mental health.
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- Sport and recreation as a way to build community understanding – Sport brings people together and can be used as a tool to build better understanding within and across communities. An example of such a model is the All Nations Soccer Competition. This annual round robin competition includes a social component with barbeques and family activities organised after the matches. Players and supporters are brought together and the competition provides a backdrop for these social activities. An achievement of the All Nations model is that it brings players and people from different cultures and backgrounds face to face, requiring them to play against and with one another despite their differences.
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Limitations and barriers
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While there are many benefits of sport and recreation in terms of settlement, sport and recreation should not be seen as a ‘cure all’. Sport and recreation programs can only ever facilitate positive outcomes for refugee young people in the context of a society that addresses the other barriers to their full participation and integration – ensuring there are appropriate education and employment pathways, accessible and affordable housing and health services, families and communities are supported, police and the justice system are fair and responsive, diversity is celebrated, and social exclusion is systemically tackled.
Moreover, not all sport and recreation programs or competitions have beneficial outcomes for those participating. Playing for the future documents good practice as well as identifies some of the barriers to participation for newly arrived and refugee young people. These barriers include:
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Structural barriers
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- Unsustained once-off programs
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- Lack of inclusive and accessible programs for refugee and newly arrived young people
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- Referral of young people into sport and recreation programs through settlement services
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- Linkage between targeted sport and recreation programs and mainstream programs and competitions
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- Access to public space and facilities
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Mediating barriers
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- Lack of inclusive practices in existing sport and recreation providers
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- Resettlement experience – Language barriers, unfamiliar structures etc
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- Culture of sport in Australia and overseas
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Personal barriers
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- Lack of time, other commitments
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Recommendations
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Playing for the future includes recommendations for ways forward in creating inclusive and sustainable sport and recreation opportunities that facilitate positive outcomes for refugee young people in terms of their social inclusion, health and wellbeing. CMYI recommends:
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Funding sustainable sport and recreation programs through
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- The creation of a dedicated funding stream;
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- Supporting young people’s participation through a small grants scheme;
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- The recognition and resourcing of sport and recreation within settlement services.
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Developing better linkages between the sport, recreation, settlement and community sectors through
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- Convening an inter-departmental meeting of key stakeholders.
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Facilitating social inclusion of newly arrived communities through
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- Supporting bi-cultural workers and resourcing community development approaches;
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- Encouraging supportive parents through a health literacy initiative targeting newly arrived families.
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Improving access to sport and recreation facilities in local areas through
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- Ensuring local government leisure services are accountable for equitable access to facilities;
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- Exploring ways for school facilities to be more accessible to local communities after hours.
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An inclusive sports sector through
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- Embedding inclusive practices in State Sporting Associations;
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- Piloting a mentoring initiative at the local club level.
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Further research be undertaken into
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- The impact of sport and recreation on settlement outcomes for young people;
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- Active recreation as a tool for ‘good settlement’.
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NEWS > New Victorian Cabinet line-up
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With the retirement of Steve Bracks. his successor as Victorian Premier, John Brumby, has made departmental changes as well as performing a Cabinet re-shuffle. Readers of CMYI e-News may be most interested in the dissolution of the Department for Victorian Communities, which has been replaced by the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD).
The Office for Youth and Victorian Multicultural Commission remain a part of this "super department", while the Office for Children has moved under the umbrella of another newly-formed department, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DECD). For more information, including a full list of ministers, go to the media release on the Victorian Government website.
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Increase in school leaving age
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The minimum school leaving age in Victoria officially and legally became 16 years old on July 1 2007. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) has assembled a Frequently Asked Questions page explaining the reasons for the change, and its effects.
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More than Tolerance: new research into the health impact of discrimination
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There is increasing recognition internationally that discrimination affecting people from diverse cultural backgrounds is a common problem, with serious health, social and economic consequences for affected individuals and their families. Discrimination is also costly to business and government and undermines the benefits of cultural diversity.
VicHealth's new report "More than tolerance: Embracing diversity for health: Discrimination affecting migrant and refugee communities in Victoria, its health consequences, community attitudes and solutions" documents findings from new research into the impact of cultural discrimination on health. The research involved a survey of 4000 Victorians and an extensive review of national and international literature.
To download the full report, go to the More than Tolerance section of the VicHealth website.
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WHAT'S NEW AT CMYI?
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SMYIN - “I’m not racist, but…”: Are we effectively tackling racism and discrimination in schools?
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CMYI would like to invite you to the third Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network (SMYIN) Meeting of 2007, exploring issues and strategies for tackling racism and discrimination in Victorian schools.
The SMYIN will be an opportunity for expert speakers, panel members and participants to explore the issue of racism and discrimination in one particular setting – Victorian schools – and discuss effective strategies for prevention and intervention.
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Date: Thursday 25 October
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Time: 9am-12.30pm
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Location: Co.As.It., 189 Faraday Street, Carlton
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RSVP: Contact CMYI on (03) 9340 3700 or info@cmyi.net.au by Monday 22 October. For more information about the SMYIN contact Diana Amato (Co-ordinator, Sector Development) on (03) 9340 3700 or damato@cmyi.net.au.
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Juggling Expectations - Training on working with refugee young people and their families
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The "Juggling Expectations" Training is for workers supporting newly arrived refugee young people in the family context. CMYI will conduct training sessions that focus on exploring issues around family dynamics and conflict and how this relates to culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) young people. The session learning outcomes include:
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- Explore changes to refugee families' relationships and dynamics;
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- Discuss strategies for working with young people in the family context;
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- Identify some causes of, and responses to, dynamics between generations in newly arrived families;
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- Work towards strenthening family relationships in service planning and delivery.
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Dates:
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"Juggling Expectations" is a one-day workshop that will be offered twice:
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- Thursday, 8 November (registrations close Thursday, 25 October)
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- Thursday, 22 November (registrations close Tuesday, 6 November)
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Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
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Location: CMYI, Level 1, 308 Drummond St, Carlton
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Cost: $170 (Includes GST, lunch and refreshments)
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How to Register: Places are limited; download the flyer from the link below to obtain a registration form.
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 download flyer and registration form (PDF)
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Pathways to Participation - Question and answer session with young people from newly arrived and refugee backgrounds
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Inclusive sport and recreation programs can be effective tools for engaging newly arrived and refugee young people during the settlement period.
The Pathways to Participation forum will include a panel of youth representatives from a variety of regions, sports, and cultural backgrounds.
The panel will discuss many of the issues for young people in sport today, such as, racism in sport, issues of accessing sport, what motivates young people to participate, and what role sport pays in their lives. The young people will also be able to answer your questions.
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James Demetriou (Chairperson of Sports Without Borders) will give details of how funding for individual young people can be sought through their funding program.
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Date: Wednesday 17 October
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Time: 9am-12.30pm
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Location: Co.As.It., 189 Faraday Street, Carlton
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RSVP: Contact CMYI on (03) 9340 3700 or info@cmyi.net.au by Tuesday 8 October.
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‘A Christian, a Muslim and a Jew walk into a room…’: Young people and the role of inter-faith dialogue
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CMYI's first Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network (SMYIN) Meeting of 2007 explored the theme of young people and the role of inter-faith dialogue in promoting social harmony. This policy discussion paper looks at the context for the increasing number of inter-faith initiatives, how this impacts on young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds and their sense of identity, and provides some discussion around future considerations for initiatives aimed at promoting respect and understanding within our diverse community.
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Download the report (1.2MB)
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The African Youth & Family Project
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The African Youth & Family Project: Exploring connections between young people and family, school and community services, was developed in response to feedback from meetings between the Sudanese community, youth services and other community organisations in the City of Greater Dandenong about a range of issues including:
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- Increasing numbers of Sudanese young people leaving their family home;
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- Young people disconnecting from school;
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- Increasing notifications made to Department of Human Services (DHS) relating to young people from African community.
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The Project Evaluation Report is available for download from the link below. For information about the accompanying DVD video, please contact Rina Minkou at CMYI on (03) 9340 3700.
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download Project Evaluation Report (2Mbs)
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CMYI partners with ARACY on new issues papers
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By Sarah Cornfoot, Research Officer
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CMYI has prepared two national papers on multicultural youth issues for the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY). The papers review and summarise the existing evidence on the needs of multicultural youth, and the current policy and program responses to these needs.
In the first paper, the needs of multicultural youth are considered in the areas of: family and community; health (physical health, mental health, sport and recreation, sexual health); education, training and employment (including language acquisition); material needs (finance, housing and homelessness); identity and racism; access to services and youth participation; and, juvenile justice (especially drugs, gangs, and relations with police).
The second paper outlines the range of programs available addressing the identified needs, details valuable case studies and highlights gaps in service provision. In the process of preparing these papers CMYI formed reference groups in each state/territory, which provided local input especially with regard to programs available and gaps in service provision in their area.
The papers are currently being finalised and will be available online shortly, so keep an eye on the CMYI website.
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STAFF CHANGES
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It's a busy time at CMYI, with expansion of programs and extensive renovations taking place at the Carlton office. If you've had trouble getting in contact with the office of late, please bear with us!
We would like to thank Chris Hortin, Endalkatchew Gage, Julia Jones and Sophie Macaulay, who have all moved on from CMYI; while Nadia Mohamed, Faorligh Hunter and Leanne McGaw are all currently on maternity leave.
Look out for more information on our rejuvenated office, and on the new members of staff, in a forthcoming issue of CMYI e-News.
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POSTCARD FROM CMYI'S MENTORING PROGRAM
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Each newsletter, we ask one of our program team to write about emerging issues and new initiatives that are taking place in their region. In this edition, Bronwyn Davison, Youth Mentoring Officer, discusses recent activities for the CMYI youth mentoring program.
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In recognition of the important role played by young and old in mentoring and to celebrate Youth Mentoring Week, CMYI took part in an event on 30 July hosted by The Governor of Victoria, Prof. David de Kretser A.C.
‘We’ve found that our mentoring program has been such a success,’ says CMYI Youth Mentoring Officer Bronwyn Davison. ‘The focus for us originally was around the benefits for such a program for the young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, but we’ve seen that it’s developed into an amazing community capacity building exercise with the mentors themselves getting a huge amount out of the program and learning so much from the young people.’
CMYI’s mentoring program seeks to develop the confidence of young people, develop the decision making capabilities of young people, strengthen youth participation and leadership within the community, promote ongoing dialogue between young people and adults from a range of cultural backgrounds and explore barriers and develop strategies to engage young people in employment, educational sectors to which they currently have limited access.
Two people getting a huge amount from the program are 46-year-old French-born Philippe, who migrated to Australia ten years ago and 20-year-old Ethiopian-born Bahailu who arrived in Australia in October 2005.
Bahailu who had to leave behind his parents to settle in Australia says of his mentoring experience: ‘It has been great to get to know Philippe and learn about his culture and journey of resettlement in Australia. Because he is also new to Australia, I feel able to talk to him about the struggles and good times in building a new life here.’
‘The most enjoyable aspect of the mentoring program has been learning more about the migrant/refugee resettlement process in Australia - to be exposed to another culture, to see Bahailu’s strength, courage and determination,’ says mentor Philippe.
CMYI are about to launch a new element to the mentoring program, the Multifaith Mentoring Youth Forum. For anyone interested in finding out more about Mentoring with CMYI, contact Bronwyn on (03) 9340 3700 or bdavison@cmyi.net.au.
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE SECTOR
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Details of upcoming events, conferences and new resources in the CLD youth sector. If you have an event or resource you want promoted through this newsletter, please send details to info@cmyi.net.au
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New Resources
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- Because I Am a Girl: The State of the World's Girls 2007 - The most comprehensive report ever published on why millions of girls and young women are being condemned to a life of inequality and poverty, was today launched globally by international development agency Plan. The report states most girls and young women in the world’s poorest communities are powerlessness, a situation that should not be allowed to continue.Download the report (PDF, 4MB) from the Plan International website.
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- Sudanese community profile presentation - The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has put together a profile of Australia's Sudanese community.Download the presentation (PowerPoint document, 1.85MB).
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- Pasifika youth access to justice - discussion paper and resource guide - Springvale Monash Legal Services (SMLS) and the South Pacific Foundation of Victoria (SPFV) have recently completed a discussion paper on Youth Access to Justice within the South East Region of Melbourne examining, in particular the needs of Pasifika youth (young people from Maori and Pacific Islander communities). SMLS has also produced an electronic resource guide outlining various legal welfare government and community services within the South East region of Melbourne. Download the discussion paper and guide from the SMLS website.
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- 'Youth and Shopping Centres' fact sheets - Community safety organisation CHD Partners has released a series of fact sheets on youth and shopping centres. The two-page fact sheets focus on why shopping centres are important to young people, what young people think of security guards, and developing a shopping centre youth plan. Download the documents from the CHD Partners website.
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- Talking in Tune: A Guide to Working with Interpreters in Schools - This training guide and video highlights common pitfalls & effective strategies when working with interpreters. To obtain a copy, contact Daina Coles on (03) 9637 2132 or coles.daina.d@edumail.vic.gov.au .
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- 'Aussie Have Your Say' survey - The Centre for Educational Research, University of Western Sydney, is conducting a nationwide study to find out what it means to be an Australian. To take part, visit the survey website.
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Training, Conferences and Forums
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- 'Refugees, Compassion and Australian Values' lecture (10 October, 2007) - The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at Swinburne University hosts a lecture by Professor Klaus Neumann, with the topic 'Refugees, Compassion and Australian Values'. 6pm, 10 October at the State Library Lecture Theatre. RSVP to Joanne Colosimo at ISR on 9214 8825 or jcolosimo@groupwise.swin.edu.au.
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Events
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- Give Asylum Seekers a ticket to ride - The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is the only one stop shop for asylum seekers in Australia. The majority of its clients have no means of income, no access to Centrelink payments and no rights to work. They are unable to pay for public transport, a basic and essential service on which they are totally dependent. ASRC is asking for your help by donating Daily Adult full fare tickets directly to ASRC, or holding a fundraising event. Visit the ASRC website for more information.
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Awards and Funding
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- Diversity@work Awards 2007 - The Diversity@Work Awards recognise and reward efforts of individuals, teams and organisations that are working to encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Further information and nomination forms can be obtained from the Diversity@Work website.
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FROM THE SECTOR: PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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Information and updates on new projects, programs and services in the sector. If you are involved in a project that you would like others in the sector to know about, send details to info@cmyi.net.au
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New Projects, Programs and Services
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- Gateway Young Women's Art and Music Program - Jesuit Social Services' Gateway program provides pathways to education, training and employment for young people who are experiencing difficulties around housing, employment, mental health or substance use. Gateway runs the Young Women's Art and Music Program (YWART) on Fridays at the Artful Dodgers Studios, offering visual arts, digital imaging, photography, textiles and music activities for young women aged 17-28 years. If you are working with anyone who may be interested, please contact Ros, Mika, Sara or Simone at Pathways to arrange an information session on (03) 9415 8700.
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- A-lure program - Visionary Images is an art studio where young people with experience of hardship collaborate with artists and designers. Visionary Images is looking for young people, aged 15 to 25, to join us in creating A-lure, a new media game to be played on the streets of Melbourne. The project runs Thursday and Friday 12 -5 pm and all workshops + food are free. The project is running from now until late 2007. Contact info@visionaryimages.org for more information.
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IN THE MEDIA
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Multicultural youth issues in the media – what are some of the issues that are making it into the news? If you come across media articles you think should be highlighted in this newsletter, please forward to info@cmyi.net.au
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Alienating youngsters on the margins of society (The Age, 11 September)
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Saeed Saeed writes on grassroots organisations and local communities who've taken up the fight against racism in the absence of leadership from the Federal Government.
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> read article at The Age website
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