Young People Direct
The Victorian Government is committed to encouraging young people to fully participate in their communities and to ensuring their voices are heard on decisions that affect their lives. In line with the Future Directions policy agenda, the Office for Youth has responded to the growing emphasis on youth consultation and engagement by implementing a new initiative, Young People Direct.
Young People Direct (YPD) is a multi-faceted consultation mechanism that aims to provide a diverse range of young people with a number of different opportunities to present their views to government. The YPD model includes online discussions, state-wide forums, regional consultations and a Ministerial Youth Advisory Committee.
Opportunities for discussion and information sharing between youth advisory networks and a range of government departments will be created through YPD. It will promote youth engagement on a state level, as well as support and contribute to the development of local area youth engagement strategies.
A Multi-Faceted Approach
YPD will offer the following opportunities for young people to inform local and state government planning and development.
Youth Advisory Committee Program
Existing youth advisory committees, youth councils and youth consumer groups are invited to register as part of the Youth Advisory Committee Program. Registered committees will be supported and resourced by the Office for Youth as well as having the opportunity to express their interest in participating in state government youth consultation on a range of policy and program issues.
The Youth Advisory Committee Program will create opportunities for existing youth advisory councils across the state to come together and share good practice as well as support the establishment of new and emerging committees.
Ministerial Youth Advisory Committee
The Ministerial Youth Advisory Committee will provide a direct link between young people and the Minister for Youth Affairs. The Committee will meet with the Minister four times a year to advise him on specific youth-related topics. The committee will also conduct projects and consultations on issues that are important to them and feed back the results to the Minister. There are 16 positions on the committee, with a one-year term. The young people on the committee represent Victorian young people’s diversity of experiences, backgrounds and geographic location.
Opportunities for Sector Development and Strategic Planning
Through YPD, the Office for Youth is committed to promoting the benefits of involving young people in decision making and planning within organisations and communities. In partnership with the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVIC), The Office for Youth will be facilitating four regional sector development forums a year that will address locally identified training and development needs in the areas of youth participation and consultation, grant making and strategic planning.
Supporting and Strengthening Young People’s Involvement in Government
The Office for Youth will provide information and advice to state and local government departments on how to involve young people in the planning and development of policies, programs and place-based initiatives. Some options for accessing support include:
- Contact the Office for Youth for advice and resources that will assist you to plan your youth consultation strategy or strategic plan;
- Invite the Office for Youth to co–facilitate your planning and development strategy;
- Access information about youth participation on the youthcentral website; or
- Invite the Office for Youth to facilitate a sector development forum in your areas based on the needs of local youth services.
youthcentral as a place for consultation
youthcentral is the Victorian Government’s website for young people. It contains information for and by young people and hosts information about opportunities across the state as well as Office for Youth programs. Through YPD, youthcentral will host online consultations with young people that will inform state wide youth forum topics and policy development. Further information about YPD and opportunities for young people and organisations to get involved can also be found at the address below.
For more information please contact the Office for Youth or go to the Victorian Government’s youth portal, youthcentral.