Page 5470 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 8 December 2009
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number of common outcomes for children and young people, that children grow into adults and the importance of transition pathways.
The young people’s plan is based on extensive research and consultation with young people and the community as outlined in developing the young people’s plan 2009-2014. The key priorities outlined in the young people’s plan 2009-2014 were developed through a series of youth consultations. The plan has a clear commitment to youth engagement at its core. This is the very essence of building a child and youth-friendly city.
Youth consultations revealed a high degree of consistency in relation to issues of importance to young people. Young people called for more support, better access to a range of support services, and higher levels of support within the education system and youth sector. They expressed the need to be valued and heard and that they want to contribute to and participate in our communities and have a say over the direction of their own lives.
The majority of young people identified that family, community and culture were important elements to their lives. They felt that civic participation plays a crucial role in addressing local issues of social connectedness and belonging and subsequently enhances their own wellbeing.
By building on youth engagement initiatives, such as involving young people in the development of the young people’s plan through to planning recreational facilities such as Eddison Park, this government will continue to build Canberra as a child and youth-friendly city and community.
The five key priority areas that underpin the young people’s plan are: health, wellbeing and support; families and communities; participation and access; transitions and pathways; and environment and sustainability. We know from research that these are the areas we need to focus on to improve outcomes for our young people and young people have told us we also need to make these our priorities for action.
So today I am also tabling Delivering the young people’s plan 2009-2014, which outlines a one-year implementation plan with real and achievable targets against the five key priority areas. These five priorities provide a guide for the government and the broader community to ensure that the needs of young people are met over the next five years.
Progress will be reported over the life of the young people’s plan 2009-2014 through performance indicators for each priority and an annual progress report. Whole-of-government and non-government forums will be established to work in partnership to implement the plan. The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services will have responsibility for the coordination and evaluation of whole-of-government community and young people’s involvement in the young people’s plan implementation.
The government will work closely with the Children and Young People Commissioner and the ACT Youth Advisory Council, who will have key roles in providing advice to the task force and the young people in the ACT on the progress of
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