MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 1 November 2002

Young people want meaningful participation not just tokenism

The peak body for the youth sector has entered into an innovative partnership with the government to encourage young people to get involved in their local communities.

The Minister for Youth Affairs, Monica Gould will today launch a youth participation project with the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.

The 'Participation in Practice' project will provide Victorian young people with practical assistance to increase involvement in their local communities.

16 year old Lise Dalla Torre, spokesperson for Youth Affairs Council of Victoria said today, "it's great to be able work constructively with the government to ensure that our voices are being heard."

"The government is always talking about involving young people and now we've finally progressed from rhetoric to action."

Ms Dalla Torre said that young people are often absent in decision making processes because many organisations don't take their needs into account. "Simple things like having meetings after school hours, or ensuring that young people are actually able to get to the meeting via public transport, all contribute to our ability to participate."

'Participation in Practice' is a twelve-month project that will look at these issues by developing a range of publications to assist young people in developing their skills and talents, and help organisations to set up effective structures that will encourage young people to get involved in a meaningful way.

Ms Dalla Torre said "this project recognises that we need to do more than just having a token young person on a board or committee, it's about acknowledging that we have valuable contributions to make right now."

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Inc. (YACVic) is the peak body and leading policy advocate on young people's issues in Victoria. YACVic is committed to assisting young people to participate meaningfully in the formulation and implementation of social policy in Victoria.

WHAT: Minister Gould to launch the 'Participation in Practice' project with the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.

WHERE: Parkdale Secondary College, Warren Road, Mordialloc East

WHEN: Friday 1 November, 2002 - 9:00am

For more information contact

Lise Dalla Torre,
Young Media Spokesperson
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
ph 0402 822 488

Janet Jukes
Executive Officer
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
ph 0411 4848 428