The Secret Life of the National Youth Roundtable

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Jude Bridgland Sorenson Youth Researcher/Private
Consultant, Perth, WA
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A Cautionary Tale...

• This research has examined young peoples
  competence as citizens via the mechanism of the
  National Youth Roundtable, the previous
  governments flagship of youth consultation and
  participation.
• The Rudd government as now examining various
  mechanisms to garner the participation of young
  people, will they fall into the same traps?

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Introduction

• AYPAC defunded in 1998 and NYR established to
  replace it.
• 50 young people appointed for 12 months from all
  over Australia.
• My research examined various aspects of NYR
  including the emotional impact that this type of
  participation has on participants and how this
  links with notions of citizenship.

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The young people chosen

• 7 young people interviewed principally from WA.
• Members of NYR between 1999 and 2005.
• Age range 21-30 (although 15 to 24 when members
  of NYR).
• Chosen because of ongoing involvement in youth
  affairs and policy issues. Purposive sample.

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Data collection Analysis

• Documentary evidence
• In depth interviews
• Focus group
• Observation

• Triangulation
• Validity
• Empowerment and debriefing
• Ethical considerations

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Government promises regarding the National Youth
Roundtable

• NYR promoted as one of the key processes in the
  development of its youth related policies.
• The Government will work with the members to
  provide them with the practical tools and the
  confidence needed to bring forward their views on
  youth issues of national importance The Source
  website.

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What the participants hoped to achieve

• Be listened to by Government
• Significant contact with Government
• Debate and discussion
• Personal goals

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What the participants thought was achieved

• Having political impact.
• Gaining leadership skills citizenship status.
• Communication with government Ministers.
• Linking their passion with their topic area
  research.

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Conclusions and Recommendations

• Themes such as disillusionment, disappointment,
  hurt and apathy emerge as the aftermath of the
  Roundtable.
• When these themes are coupled with attendant
  issues to do with youth participation, namely
  representation, consultation and legitimacy, then
  the effects of the National Youth Roundtable are
  significant.
• Participants reported that they went from being
  engaged, excited and hopeful to being hurt,
  disillusioned and disenchanted.

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Conclusions and Recommendations

• The effect of this is further exclusion, a
  ramification that must be honestly considered.
• This impacts significantly on young peoples view
  of citizenship is being a participating citizen
  something to strive for?
• New mechanisms MUST be examined and trailed. Old
  methods are not working.

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Conclusions and Recommendations

• New technologies are the way forward,
  participation needs to exist and work in the
  places young people are existing in cyberspace,
  blogging, podcasting, using msn type technologies
  and social networking sites such as Facebook.
• Participation needs to be streamed and reflexive,
  not static.
• Young people deserve the right to be citizens we
  just need to catch up with the technology
  everywhere world they live in.