Empowering Young People
Empowering Young People – Young People's Policy 2010–13 provides a plan for a three-year period to enhance the status and wellbeing of young people in the City of Melbourne municipality. The new policy is guided by Future Melbourne and Council Plan 2009–13 and responds to the current and future needs and interests of young people aged 12 to 25 years who live, study, work and/or visit the municipality.
Empowering Young People was developed after extensive consultation with young people, families, youth and community organisations, government departments, educational instituions, and the community. It acknowledges and addresses the varying needs and interests of young people in particular marginalised young people such as those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, young refugees and asylum-seekers, Indigenous young people, young people with a disability and gay, lesbian, transgendered and intersexed (GLBTI) young people.
Empowering Young People acknowledges and values the role that family, school, peers and community play in the lives of young people. Partnership is a key focus and we will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that our programs and initiatives are effective and have the greatest reach and profile.
Empowering Young People outlines our vision for young people: Healthy, resilient, empowered, valued and fulfilled young citizens, playing an active role in their communities.
Our vision is for a city where young people:
- have a strong sense of belonging and are connected to their community
- are healthy, resilient and live in safe and affordable environments
- know how to, and can access, free information, support and services
- participate in, and contribute to, the social, economic, cultural and civic life of the city
- are valued and respected community citizens
- have the infrastructure, encouragement and inspiration to reach their full potential
The policy outlines key directions for the next three years to be undertaken across various branches of the City of Melbourne and complements the City of Melbourne’s Children’s Plan (hyperlink) for younger children and their families.
The five key goals of the policy are:
Goal 1: Participation, leadership and empowerment
Outcome: Young people actively participate in, and contribute to, the social, cultural, creative, recreational and civic life of the city.
We believe it is vital that young people are encouraged and empowered to engage and participate in the planning, development and delivery of programs and services for themselves that enhance their health and wellbeing.
We seek the opinions of young people and welcome their input to decision-making, not only about important youth issues, but also about the future direction of the city.
Goal 2: Healthy and active young people
Outcome: Young people are supported in all aspects of their physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health so they can get the best start in life. Young people can access responsive and integrated services and supports when needed within the context of their families, schools and communities.
Teenage and early adult years are a time of substantial change and development for young people. These periods involve increasing independence, transitions, new experiences and risk-taking. Young people need to be supported during this time to ensure that they have the opportunity to grow, develop skills and gain positive life experiences.
The City of Melbourne is committed to working with organisations, communities and individuals to create environments for young people that foster and promote positive health and wellbeing outcomes. We will partner with other government bodies to ensure that youth services provide a coordinated and seamless response to young people’s diverse needs.
Goal 3: Fulfilling learning and earning potential
Outcome: Young people can access, and are supported in, pathways to education, training and employment that meet their diverse needs.
We believe it is important to encourage and inspire young people to do the best they can at school, university, in the workplace and elsewhere, for their own sense of achievement and self-worth.
Some find learning easy, some struggle with conventional schooling. Our aim is for young people in the city to have a range of options for education and vocational training to help them gain employment, skills and economic independence.
Goal 4: Safe places to go and things to do
Outcome: A diverse range of safe and welcoming spaces and places are provided for young people across the city during the day and night, with a calendar of events and free, youth-driven activities.
Central Melbourne is a 24-hour city and we want to make sure that young people have positive, safe experiences, whatever the time of day or night, whether they are at home, school, university, in the workplace or public space.
We ask young people for their views, so we can incorporate their needs and ideas into the planning, design and management of public spaces and activities.
We are especially concerned about working with young people to tackle the underlying causes of bullying, discrimination and violence. While acknowledging these factors, we work with others to promote positive representations of young people in the media.
Goal 5: Effective partnerships and joint responses
Outcome: Work in partnership and develop joint responses with all stakeholders to ensure that young people have enriched and fulfilling lives.
We recognise that meeting the needs of young people, especially those with complex requirements, requires a multi-disciplinary approach involving a range of agencies.
We believe in a ‘whole of community’ approach where young people, families, communities, service providers and government work together to build the capacity of young people and develop collaborative responses to the social and economic issues that challenge them and their communities.