Page 4224 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
communities”, “environment––a climate for change”, “body image” and “transition out”.
As I have already emphasised, the government greatly values the views of children and young people. Another way we engage with young people is through the Youth InterACT consultation register. This register provides an opportunity for young people in the ACT aged from 12 to 25 to engage with each other and to find out about ways to get involved in the community. Through this interactive involvement, young people can participate in forums, apply for scholarships and grants and contact the Youth Advisory Council through the “have your say” section. Over 700 people are registered on the Youth InterACT consultation register. This register allows young people to express their interest in participating in consultation activities. Members of the register are notified about consultation opportunities and receive regular information about youth issues and events.
Another way in which we actively and effectively engage with young people is through highlighting young people’s achievements and building on their own personal and professional developments. Youth InterACT accomplishes this through the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year awards and through Youth InterACT scholarships and grants.
Consultation with children was also a key element in the development of the ACT children’s plan 2010-14, which was launched in June this year. My department received and analysed feedback from over 850 children and families which informed the direction of the new plan. The plan creates a vision for Canberra to be a child and youth-friendly city that supports all children and young people to reach their potential, make a contribution and share the benefits of our community. It provides opportunities for children to influence decisions about their lives and their community, and to actively participate in their communities. It also encourages advocacy, promotion and protection of children’s rights.
At the launch of the children’s plan and through our plan development, the messages we received from children and young people could not have been stronger about what they needed, such as the need for safe and green places to play, the need for friends and the need to be listened to. They have a view and an opinion and an understanding of what is needed and this must be listened to. Their ideas are vital for shaping the future, and part of good government is about good consultation to help us plan the way.
Under the children and young people’s plans, the ACT government is committed to building a child and youth-friendly city under the UNICEF principles. As part of this commitment, we have been actively consulting with children and young people on the buildings and facilities that matter to them. The government has consulted on the colour schemes of the new child and family centre in west Belconnen, as well as the services delivered through that centre.
The ACT government has also engaged in significant consultations on its neighbourhood playgrounds upgrade program, calling for responses and involvement from children via an online questionnaire and phone call or email comments. Local school children have also been engaged through their school in providing comment.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video