Image YNOT Annual Report 2019
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2018/19 Annual Report What is a legacy? By Annabelle Tang, 17 It’s something we leave behind We are the people who will live for our children and our long after you are gone. We are the grandchildren. It’s something not people who will live in the world of for us, but for the better of others. your policies. We are the people “ It’s planting seeds in a garden we who will suffer at the hands of poor won’t get to see. decisions made in the interest of the short term political gain. We When you’re gone, what will be left are the people who will suffer from behind are the policies you make your greed. today. The future is uncertain so you cannot put off the important This is why it’s so immensely decisions. You are creating your important to us that we have a say. legacy right now. The influence That you hear our voices and our and power you have now won’t concerns. And more importantly, last forever so make the positive that you do something about it. impact now. Having a voice is a freedom we It’s the choices our government should all have, regardless of age, makes now. gender or ethnicity. It’s the people we vote for. In our busy world our voices It’s the policies we vote for. are often drowned out. Our future is in your hands. Ignored. Our children are in your hands. We are your legacy. And yet we have no say. The people who you will leave We have no voice. behind to tell your story. We are told we’re too young to The only thing you can control, understand but we do understand. is what story we tell. What we understand is decisions What will your legacy be? are being made now which will shape the course of our future, not yours. ” Contents Empowering young Tasmanians 2 Amplifying the voice of young Tasmanians 3 Influencing change 4 Working together 5 Youth sector development 7 Member satisfaction survey 8 Communication 9 YOUTH NETWORK OF TASMANIA ANNUAL // REPORT 2019 Social media 9 CEO's report 10 Chair's report 11 Volunteers 12 Sponsors 12 Members 12 1 Empowering young Tasmanians I especially commend and thank YNOT, the Youth Network of Tasmania, for organising the events and organising the grants programs. Tania and all her staff have done a fabulous job with Youth Week again this “ year. Most of all I thank all the young people involved. — The Hon. Jacquie Petrusma MP, Minister for Sport and Recreation ” Youth participation and engagement Tasmanian Youth Forum (TYF) underpins the work of YNOT. During the year, emphasis was placed on providing platforms TYF 2019 ‘Your Online Environment’ attracted an and opportunities for young Tasmanians to unprecedented number of young Tasmanians, share their views, opinions and experiences making this year’s forum the largest event to on issues important to them. YNOT continued date. A total of 520 young people participated to engage with young people through the in the forum and online survey to share their Tasmanian Youth Forum (TYF), member views on topics including: cyber bullying and organisations, local council groups, University cyber abuse, digital protection and reputation of Tasmania, Australian Youth Climate Coalition and online safety. Young people identified and our volunteers. Young Tasmanians challenges, opportunities and solutions to informed YNOT’s advocacy and policy work in the barriers they face in the online world the areas of youth housing and homelessness, and supported the criminalisation of cyber youth unemployment, pill testing, mental bullying, providing that it is clearly defined. health, transport, political engagement, Members from the Migrant Resource Centre youth participation, climate change and Multicultural Youth Advisory Network facilitated tobacco reform. an ‘ice breaker’ session, and a National Youth Commission Ambassador shared positive experiences of the online environment. Key Panel with the Pollies findings are highlighted in the TYF 2019 report YNOT hosted a series of panel discussions for and have been distributed widely to key young people aged 12-25 years with federal decision makers and stakeholders. candidates and representatives ahead of the 2019 Federal election. Young Tasmanians Youth Week Tasmania embraced the opportunity to have their voice Youth Week Tasmania 2019 was hugely YOUTH NETWORK OF TASMANIA ANNUAL // REPORT 2019 heard on topics important to them including; climate change, the banking royal commission, successful with a diverse range of activities gender quotas in parliament, transparency taking place across the State. The annual event around political donations, mental health, highlighted the important contribution young and renewable energy. 120 young people people make to our local communities and attended events across the State, with a total showcased the local talent and skills of of 190 questions raised with candidates and young people through a range of activities representatives. Members from Speak Out including; busking competitions, twilight Advocacy Service and local youth markets and festivals, skate park expos and council groups assisted robotics workshops. with event facilitation in each The official event launch provided a platform region with each event for two young Tasmanians to voice their MC’d by a local young opinion on issues that are important to them person. The success as well as showcasing the views and opinions of these events of young people on a diverse range of topics demonstrate that including mental health, climate change, young Tasmanians are social justice, youth homelessness and politically and socially diversity through the Young Humans of engaged and want Tasmania photo series. to take part in our democracy. 2 3 Amplifying the voice of young Tasmanians I thank YNOT for the incredible work it does representing young people in Tasmania no matter where they live and to recognise that YNOT provides us an excellent window into the lives of young Tasmanians and the matters “ that concern them. — Cassy O’Connor, Leader of the Tasmanian Greens ” Ongoing engagement of, and consultation with 16 young people and the Tasmanian youth sector young people aged 13-22 shaped YNOT’s advocacy efforts during the successfully engaged with year. YNOT continued to lobby for the strategic media during the report period. inclusion of young people across government including the appointment of a Minister for Youth, development of a youth strategy and YOUTH NETWORK OF TASMANIA ANNUAL // REPORT 2019 the engagement and involvement of young 6 people in policy development and decision young people presented at making on youth affairs. conferences and events We worked alongside young people and our members to advocate for: • An integrated youth alcohol and 120 other drug service system; young people attended Panel with the Pollies • A shared understanding and clear definitions of bullying and cyber bullying; • Lowering the non compulsory voting age to 16 years; 520 TYF participants • An integrated youth mental health service system; • Increased youth mental health awareness and education in schools; 12 • Prioritising housing solutions young people participated for young Tasmanians; in the ‘Young Humans of • Tailored services to support young Tasmania’ series people seeking employment; • Raising the rate of Newstart and Youth Allowance; and • The introduction of a pill testing trial at music festivals and events in Tasmania. All of the attendees commented on how great it was to have someone advocating so strongly for student and youth voice. — Charlie Williams, State Manager Tasmania, Teach for Australia 4 Influencing change 2018 Tasmanian Youth Forum participants identified the need for more mental health information and events to be included into the school curriculum to provide them with the tools to identify the signs and symptoms “ of mental ill health amongst themselves and their peers. Labor is listening. — Rebecca White, Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party ” YNOT continued to influence decision makers Unaccompanied Homeless and policy outcomes through responding to Children Under 16 government inquiries, legislative reform and budget processes on issues relevant to young YNOT, Anglicare’s Social Action and Research Tasmanians. We produced eight, evidence Centre (SARC) and the Interim Commissioner based submissions on a diverse range of for Children and Young People (CCYP) topics including: continued to lobby State Government and key decision makers to respond to the needs • Draft Tasmanian Child and Youth of unaccompanied homeless children under Wellbeing Outcomes Framework 2018 16 years of age in Tasmania. Collectively, we • Legislative Council Select Committee called on the State Government to invest in a Short Stay Accommodation in policy response and a continuum of services Tasmania Inquiry 2018 to address the care and accommodation • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment needs of this highly vulnerable cohort. (Lowering Voting Age and Increasing Together, we hosted a cross sectoral forum Voter Participation) Bill 2018 aimed at strengthening non-statutory care for children under 16 years, briefed members • Reform Agenda for Alcohol and of the Legislative Council and met with Drug Services in Tasmania – relevant Ministers, Advisors and Departmental Consultation Draft 2018 Secretaries. The Tasmanian Government • Labors’ Discussion Paper on committed to the establishment of a Mental Health 2018 Taskforce in Tasmanians Affordable Housing Action Plan 2019-23 to identify and prioritise • The Next Generation of Employment care and accommodation needs for this Services: Discussion Paper 2018 cohort. The Taskforce