MYAN has prepared a submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee’s Inquiry into ‘Nationhood, National Identity and Democracy.’ This is an important inquiry. MYAN Australia’s vision is that all young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds are able to be active participants in, and contributors to, an Australian society in which they feel they belong. This is achieved when we invest in a vibrant, culturally diverse Australia where young people feel safe, included and respected as young Australians.
To ensure that the submission was informed by the views of young people from around Australia, consultations were held in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria and with members of our National Youth Advisory Network (YAN) and Victoria’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG). Groups of diverse young people shared their views on what factors influence and shape concepts of identity, providing relevant and valuable perspectives on these important issues.