I
hope you enjoy Issue 7 of my quarterly e-news. It includes links to my
latest reports, briefs, submissions and other advocacy resources.
Thursday 11 April
Issue 8
Dear Colleagues,
There
has been much happening in the first few months of this year. In March
we had our annual SA SRC Summit where I had the privilege of meeting 130
of the 150 young people selected from Years 8, 9 & 10 to be members
of this year's statewide student representative council. It was an
uplifting day full of enthusiasm and inspiration for the work ahead. I
was thrilled to see that 17 SA parliamentarians made time to attend to
speak directly with these passionate young people who are keen to do
their bit to bring about positive change in their local communities.
I
have recently released a policy position on health in which I am
calling on the State government to develop an overarching vision and
plan to provide tailored and efficient services relevant to the health
needs of South Australia's 374,400 children and young people. My report
on Teenagers and Work has been released and I have also published a position brief on what young people would like to see covered in their Relationships and Sexual and Mental Health Education.Please check out the revamped CCYP website
which presents more than 300 resources related to children's lives. I
will also soon be announcing the community organisations that will
receive grant funding for projects related to engagement with young
people and period justice in local communities.
Featured News
2024 SA SRC Summit
The
new members of this year's SA SRC came together at the Adelaide
Festival Centre to meet and exchange ideas on how to bring about
positive change across their local communities. The day was a fantastic
start to what will be a great year of working together on campaigns
identified by young people as key priorities.
Overarching vision and plan needed for SA children's health
The
Commissioner has called on the State government to develop an
overarching vision and plan that addresses the specific health needs of
South Australia's children and young people, which are different to
those of adults.
The
Commissioner's annual Digital Challenge turns 5 this year. Over 100,000
students have completed the challenge representing 497 SA metro and
regional schools. If you haven't registered for this year's Challenge
there's still plenty of time to do so, with great digital prizes on
offer for schools whose students participate thanks to our generous
partners.
Campbelltown YAC advises on youth friendly library
Campbelltown
City Council has followed the advice of the Commissioner and consulted
with their Youth Advisory Council on how to make their local library
more youth-friendly.
Hub - "You're too young to have that" JIA and Invisible Disabilities When
you think of disability, what comes to mind? Hear directly from young
people about their experiences of living with what they describe as
invisible disabilities.
Read
this snapshot summary of what the Commissioner has been busy with over
the last three months, connecting and engaging with SA children, young
people, and adult stakeholders on issues relating to her advocacy work.
What young people want in Relationships and Sexual & Mental Health Education
In
2023, the Commissioner consulted with young people in years 10, 11
& 12 about what they wanted to learn in their relationships and
sexual health education. They told her they wanted realistic, tailored
information and practical strategies for promoting healthy relationships
and positive mental and sexual health. Young people say they need to
feel supported in their relationships and equipped to manage their
sexual and mental health - essential knowledge for successfully
navigating their personal lives.
Being
able to speak up and express opinions is a core right of children. But
to exercise this right children need to know about it which is why the
Commissioner extended her annual Student Voice Postcards initiative to
include early learners who are attending preschool and childcare centres
across South Australia. Most of the 180 responses she received came
from children who were four years old supported by their early years
educators to participate.
For
teenagers, having a paid job during high school is extremely common.
Many work within the new ‘gig economy’ making it tricky to combine
essential activities of teenage years – school, sport, and social
commitments – with a casual job. Many young people say their workplaces
and employers don't cater to the specific needs of teenage employees
some of whom are feeling bullied, fatigued and unsafe. This report
summarises the experiences of young people who work, and what would help
their workplaces become more 'teen friendly'.
Submission about the Adelaide City Plan 2036 The
Commissioner emphasises that gathering the views and experiences of
children and young people will be critical to ensuring the Adelaide City
Plan reflects how children and young people want to live, work, learn,
play and connect in their capital city.
Submission on the proposed alternative diversion model for children under the raised age of criminal responsiblity The
Commissioner is concerned that the proposed model is inconsistent
with international best practice and human rights standards. Further
work must identify the systemic changes needed to raise the age to 12
and then to 14 years without exceptions.
Submission on the Local Government Participation and Elections Review
The
Commissioner's recommendations to the Review focus on the need to
recognise the active citizenship of children of all ages; lower the
voting age to 16 years for local government elections; engage with young
people about enrolment, voting and the experiences of young candidates;
and improve the provision of civics and citizenship education.
Submission on the potential for a Human Rights Act for South Australia
The
Commissioner fully supports the introduction of a Human Rights Act for
South Australia. From the Commissioner's regular conversations with
South Australian children and young people, it's evident that current
legal protections are inadequate.
Submission to the Northern Adelaide Transport Study
The
Commissioner recommends the Northern Adelaide Transport Study engage
meaningfully with children and young people living in the northern
suburbs and improve the safety and affordability of their active and
public transport options.
Submission to the Review of Sexual Consent Laws in South Australia
The
Commissioner would like to see amendments made to sexual consent laws
that include additional safeguards against the criminalisation of young
people under the legal age engaging in consensual sexual activity.
Submission on a new cultural policy for South Australia
The
Commissioner supports the development of a new cultural policy that
takes children and young people into account, supporting more of them to
engage in arts, culture and creativity by improving access to
education, activities and places.
Watch this short video summarising the 2024 SA SRC Summit held on 22 March.
Grants
Civics in the City Grants 2024
The
Commissioner, along with Parliament House and the Department for
Education, is pleased to announce the 29 schools selected as recipients
of a 2024 Civics in the City grant.
Applications
for the Commissioner's Small Grants Program for 2024 have now closed.
The Commissioner thanks all 38 organisations for their work in applying
and advises that applications will be assessed shortly. Successful
applicants will be notified of the outcome in the next few weeks.
What's On | Important Dates
Space to Dream Exhibition on the move
The
top-rated designs from the Commissioner’s Space to Dream Challenge will
be featured at Playford Civic Centre Library and Moonta Community
Library throughout the April school holidays.(Image courtesy of Moonta Community Library)
The
Commissioner is co-hosting a series of FREE education seminars
specially for teachers of civics and citizenship with the support of SA
Parliament House and the Department for Education. Full program via the
link below.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
