2017 MYAN Australia National Conference: Young People In A Multicultural Wo...

We live in times of complex and constant change. We are more interconnected - economically, environmentally, politically, socially - than ever before. We also face challenges that are global in scale and complexity.

Young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Australia are impacted by these global trends at multiple levels.

The 2017 MYAN Conference will consider the experiences of young people in the context of current global challenges and explore how research, policy and practice can best respond into the future.

Exploring the themes ‘Global Citizenship’, ‘Education to Work’ and ‘Social Cohesion’, this two-day event will bring together international and local policy-makers, practitioners, young people, academics and the business sector.

We hope the conference brings us one step closer to developing forward-looking, evidence-based strategic directions for research, policy and practice - helping young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds thrive over coming decades in an equitable, socially cohesive Australia.

Themes

1. Global Citizenship

Topics include:

• Human rights
• Active citizenship
• Digital technology

Key questions to be explored:

• How can human rights frameworks be better applied in Australia to support policy and practice with young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds into the future?
• What is the role of digital technology in facilitating education, employment and health outcomes for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds?
• How do we understand rights and responsibilities in the context of global citizenship?
• What policies and practices will best support young people to navigate and capitalise on global networks?

2. Education to work

Topics include:

• Education and EAL support
• Education/training/employment transitions
• Employment initiatives – building social capital

Key questions to be explored:

• What do young people need to make successful transitions from education to work?
• What challenges and opportunities will the future work environment present for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds?
• What policies and practices will best ensure that young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds can participate fully in the future labour market and what are the opportunities and challenges to achieving this?

3. Social Cohesion

Topics include:

• Multiculturalism
• Media representation/youth justice
• Health

Key questions to be explored:

• What research, policies and practice – including immigration, economic and social policies – are necessary to promote a greater sense of inclusion and belonging throughout the Australian nation?
• What are the roles of politics and the media – including social media – in promoting or undermining social cohesion?
• What specific policies and practice might best achieve positive health and wellbeing outcomes for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, their families and communities?