Youth Affairs Council Victoria

Statement of Support for ECCV’s All One Together campaign

Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) is the peak body and leading advocate for young people aged 12–25, and the youth sector in Victoria. Our vision is that the rights of young people in Victoria are respected, and they are active, visible and valued in their communities.  We share the Victorian Government’s commitment to making Victoria the best place in the world for young people to grow up and will continue to work alongside Government on the state’s forthcoming Youth Strategy and other projects to this end.

Victoria is one of Australia’s most culturally diverse jurisdictions. However, young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are still experiencing discrimination and exclusion. 

The eradication of race-based discrimination and exclusion should be a key priority for all Victorians. This will ensure culturally, and linguistically diverse young people have the same chance as their peers to lead a positive, fulfilling life. 

To this end, YACVic aims for:

1. Services for all young people to be culturally appropriate, accessible and inclusive. This has been and continues to be a priority for the youth sector, and while there has been considerable progress in this space, there continues to be room for improvement, particularly in correctional settings.
2. The voices and expertise of culturally and linguistically diverse young people, and those who work with them, to be centred in policymaking in order to create community-based and culturally appropriate solutions to racism and inequality in Victoria.
3. The Victorian Government’s forthcoming Anti-Racism Strategy to include detailed strategies for young people, have a youth lens embedded throughout, and recognise the embeddedness of racism across the many institutions young people frequent.

For further information, please contact Sam Champion at schampion@yacvic.org.au.