Victoria needs more multicultural youth workers and greater government investment in mental health initiatives to address racism, increased youth justice and crime prevention program funding and better support of disadvantaged multicultural students whose education has fallen behind due to COVID-19, according to the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY).
CMY launched its state election policy platform on Tuesday, October 18, outlining key issues requiring immediate action.
CMY chief executive Carmel Guerra said it was crucial that any incoming government commits to greater support of young people.
“Victoria leads the way in valuing and promoting multiculturalism as one of our greatest strengths. CMY is calling on all parties to commit to strong policies so that young people and their families can strengthen their sense of belonging and proudly contribute to Victoria’s multicultural community,” Ms Guerra said.
“The targeted investments we are calling for are critical for the prosperity for our young people. Against a backdrop of unprecedented social and economic upheaval over the past few years of the pandemic, this is a crucial time to support young people.
“This state election we appeal to the political parties to seriously consider funding initiatives that impact positively on our young people.”
CMY is calling for investments in:
* Multicultural youth workers;
* Addressing adolescent family violence;
* Multicultural youth mental health;
* Tackling racism in local communities;
* Multicultural youth justice;
* Strengthening diversity through sports initiatives;
* Addressing COVID-19 and disrupted education; and
* A multicultural youth employment initiative.
CMY is also calling for the following programs to be sustained and/or expanded:
* A CMY Centre of Excellence (CoE) and an embedded Innovative Futures Digital Centre;
* The Pasifika young people project (Le Mana Pasifika Project);
* The Regional Presence Project (RPP);
* Centre for Multicultural Sport (CMSport);
* Refugee Education Support Initiatives;
* The South Sudanese Community Support Group;
* The Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP); and
* The Seat at the Table (SAT) program.
Details: www.cmy.net.au/victorian-election
