Politics and Young People

A research project of the Whitlam Institute called “Young People Imagining a New Democracy” is investigating how young people engage with the democratic process in Australia. This review shows young Australians are anything but apathetic. They are strongly engaged with political issues and social causes such as the environment, poverty, health and an
Australian republic. However, they feel alienated and marginalised by old, formal, institutionalised politics. The review finds that for young people, there’s been a generational shift in Australian politics. The research shows it’s no longer about political loyalties, it’s about political choice.
Young Australians are distrustful of politicians and they are not content to accept the hierarchies in traditional institutions of democracy. They prefer to engage in grassroots campaigns and
cause-based activities, where they feel like they can make a difference.
The main observations from the review include:
• Young people will vote because they have to, but they do not see the efficacy of voting.
• High numbers of young people state they would not enrol or vote all the time, if it were not
compulsory.
• Issues such as lack of permanent housing impact on young peoples’ electoral enrolment and
participation.
• Few young people are mobilised to join unions and ever fewer are members of political parties.
• Young people are interested in political issues and are engaged in a wide range of new participatory activities, particularly when they can see tangible outcomes for their efforts.
• Gender, class and ethnicity have an impact on young people’s participation.
[from a Media release 27/8/08]
To download a copy of the literature review, visit: www.whitlam.org
Louise

Australian Human Rights Commission

4 September 2008 - HREOC will now be known as the Australian Human Rights Commission
From today, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) will be known as the Australian Human Rights Commission.
The design represents an evolution from the long-standing HREOC logo, and includes the positioning statement, ‘everyone, everywhere, everyday’, which is drawn from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s new vision statement, “Human rights: everyone, everywhere, everyday”.
The new corporate image for the Australian Human Rights Commission is the first step towards ensuring that all Australian audiences know that Australia has an independent national institution with the responsibility to protect and promote human rights in Australia.
The Commission’s goals are outlined in its new vision and mission statements which can be found at www.humanrights.gov.au/about/index.html
The Commission’s legal name will remain the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Louise