Australian Youth Forum
Launch of the AYF - Thursday 2 October 2008
The AYF is an exciting new initiative, which will enable young Australians to be engaged in discussions with the Australian Government about important issues. The establishment of the AYF shows this Government places significant value on the voices and views of young Australians, their creativity, unique perspectives and capacity to contribute to public debate.
The Minister for Youth, the Hon Kate Ellis MP, will launch the AYF on Thursday 2 October at the Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre in Adelaide. If you are aged 15-24 and plan to be in Adelaide on that day, you are welcome to attend this special and important event.
You will need to register for this event and there is limited venue capacity so please register before 5pm (AEST) on Thursday 25 September 2008. The invitation from the Minister for Youth, the Hon Kate Ellis MP, and the registration form are here: AYF launch invitation and registration form page.
Summary of AYF Consultations
On 17 March 2008, the Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Youth, released a discussion paper and launched a consultation process to inform the development of a model for the Australian Youth Forum (AYF), to be established as a formal communication channel between the Government, young people and the youth sector.
Consultations took place around Australia with young people and youth sector representatives through March, April and May. This process, which included online submissions, closed on 30 May 2008.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the AYF consultation process - your ideas, insights, time and effort are greatly appreciated.
As per the discussion paper, consultations were structured around ten questions:
- What should be the role(s) of the AYF?
- What functions should the AYF undertake?
- How will the AYF consult?
- Who will the Australian Youth Forum ‘represent’?
- What type of organisation should the Australian Youth Forum be?
- Who would the Australian Youth Forum include?
- What capacity should the Australian Youth Forum have?
- What role would young people have in the Australian Youth Forum?
- How can the AYF ensure all young people have the opportunity to be heard?
- What role would youth organisations have in the AYF?
In line with the Minister Ellis’ commitment to provide feedback to consultation participants, the "Summary of the Outcomes of the Consultation Process" is available for viewing.
The Government initiative to establish the AYF has been strongly supported and consultations have generated a broad range and diversity of, not always consistent, ideas and views about the AYF model. They are all being analysed and considered with a view to establishing the AYF which will serve the needs of young people and the youth sector well. Minister Ellis’ announcement about the AYF model is expected in the near future.