THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH: YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR REFUGEE EXPERIENCES

THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH: YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR REFUGEE EXPERIENCES

According to the CALD Youth Census Report 2014, there are over 15,000 young people of refugee backgrounds, aged 12-24 years old, living in NSW[1]. In addition to supporting refugee youth through our Humanitarian Settlement Services program, SSI is committed to understanding and meeting their needs and the challenges they face upon resettlement by undertaking research and advocacy through the recently established Multicultural Youth NSW organisation. SSI also recognises the importance of celebrating their achievements and building upon the skills and experiences they bring to Australia.

The fourth and final SSI Speakers’ Series event in 2014 provides an opportunity for young leaders and youth workers to acknowledge and reflect on the strengths and capabilities that young people of refugee backgrounds bring to our shores.

‘The Strength of Youth’ is a chance for people, both young and old, of refugee and non-refugee backgrounds, to come together to explore important questions:

• What skills and attributes, challenges and barriers characterise young people of refugee backgrounds?
  

• What can service and advocacy organisations do to build on young people’s strengths and capabilities?
  
  
• How can young people of refugee backgrounds take action and shape their own future?

Featuring opening presentations by

Asif Haideri
Asif is a young Hazara refugee from Afghanistan who arrived in Australia in November 2012. In the short time he has been living in the community, he has been recognised as a committed and talented young person, often speaking at refugee-related events. He is also a Refugee Art Project participant.

Sarah Yahya
Born in Iraq in 1995, Sarah Yahya came to Australia in 2007. Among other achievements, she has been a winner of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award 2013, High Order of Australia for Community Service in 2013 and Defence Force of Australia Leadership Award 2013. She is currently a member of Multicultural Youth NSW Steering Committee. Sarah is a student at University of Technology Sydney – studying Journalism combined with International Studies in Latin America.

Bashir Yousufi
Bashir arrived in Australia in 2010 at the age of 13 from Afghanistan. In 2012, Bashir represented Australia in Geneva at the Discussion for the Committee on the Rights of the Child, where he shared his experiences as a child in immigration detention. As well as being Vice-Captain of Holroyd High, Bashir is on the Student Representative Council. He is the winner of Western Sydney Refugee Youth Awards 2014 - Community Leadership Award.

Followed by a panel discussion with the additional participation of

Ryan Buesnel
Ryan is Youth Projects Coordinator, Multicultural Youth NSW. For the past five years Ryan worked with CALD and refugee youth at the Auburn Youth Centre Incorporated, in both the youth worker and Executive Officer roles. In his spare time Ryan likes to write short stories and play music.

Marcela Hart
Born to parents active in the pro-democracy movement of 1980s Bolivia, Marcela was destined to grow with a strong political drive and social conscience. She has worked with the European Union in Latin America on development projects and having more recently completed her Masters in Development Studies, has worked with both professional and volunteer organisations involved in refugee advocacy in Australia. She is Case Manager, Community Support Program at Settlement Services International.

Facilitated by

Emma Couch
Emma studied Journalism at the University of Western Sydney. She is a producer and technical support assistant at Marrickville’s community radio station, Radio Skid Row, a well-established multilingual radio station. She recently produced a radio project titled, The Law and You. This project focused on law access in CALD communities in Marrickville. Alongside her work with Radio Skid Row, Emma works with the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia and Community Media Training Organisation.

About SSI Speakers’ Series
During 2014, Settlement Services International (SSI) is hosting a series of talks and panel discussions on current refugee and asylum seeker issues and related topics. The SSI Speakers’ Series aims to inform, connect and challenge SSI stakeholders and the wider community by providing opportunities for discussion that enhance knowledge and awareness about relevant issues impacting the organisation’s clients and their communities.

For more information visit www.ssi.org.au