FUSE 2021 - National multicultural youth leadership summit
Media Release
50 emerging young leaders from refugee and migrant backgrounds across Australia will meet with advocates, politicians, and peers at FUSE Summit 2021 on 4th and 5th December.
Hosted by the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN) and its team of Youth Ambassadors, FUSE is Australia’s only national multicultural youth leadership summit bringing together young people who share a passion for advocacy, leadership, and positive social change.
This year, the youth specific event on 4th December will be launched by the Honourable Minister Alex Hawke, the Minister of Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs.
Building on the success of FUSE 2016 and FUSE 2019, FUSE 2021 will be a hybrid event held in states and territories across Australia, with a mix of on-line and in person activities.
Rana Ebrahimi, MYAN’s National Manager said “FUSE is our most significant event for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, who play a key role in its planning and delivery. Though COVID-19 continues to present logistical challenges throughout 2021, the enthusiasm for FUSE among our young ambassadors inspired us to create an innovative hybrid model to ensure this important event could go ahead.”
MYAN works from the premise that young people from multicultural backgrounds have unique experiences and knowledge, and should be supported to articulate the issues impacting their lives and identify solutions to these issues. FUSE 2021 is designed to address the same.
“The FUSE Summit is a fantastic opportunity for young people to come together and work on ideas and plans for positive change on a range of deep-seated issues in our community.” says Carmel Guerra OAM, CEO/Chair of MYAN.
Framed by the overarching themes of ‘Connect’, ‘Ignite’, and ‘Trailblaze’, this robust 2-day event will showcase an inspiring panel of speakers from diverse backgrounds and industries and will explore key issues and solutions around important themes of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander rights, mental health, climate change, and racism. Day 2 of FUSE will provide delegates with an important opportunity to pitch their ideas to industry experts, politicians, and network with decision makers and other young leaders.
Carmel Guerra OAM adds “Young people are often passionate advocates for change and FUSE will help them forge networks with other like-minded young people from around Australia. FUSE 2021 facilitates a unique opportunity for decision makers and experts from a diverse range of backgrounds and young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds to engage in an expressive dialogue.”
Jane Chen, one of the MYAN’s Youth Ambassadors Network (YAN) and FUSE 2021 facilitator from Victoria says “I am excited to connect with brilliant young people from across the country, find new allies and collaborators, and engage in challenging discussions with decision-makers!".
Fatima Tlaa, a YAN member from South Australia adds “FUSE is an opportunity to make lifelong friendships and meet amazing people that are changing the narrative and making the world a better space”.
50 emerging young leaders, the Youth Ambassadors and National Manager Rana Ebrahimi are available for interviews.
Media Enquiries can be made to Rana Ebrahimi, National Manager, MYAN Australia
M: 0498 437 380 Email: rana@myan.org.au
About Multicultural Youth Advocacy network (MYAN)
Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN) is an advocacy non-profit body that provides advice to the government and capacity building to those who work with young people. Since our formal inception in 2007, we have been working in partnership with young people, government, and civil society to promote the rights and interests of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds and ensure these are recognised in policy and practice. We facilitate national connections between young people, academics, policy makers and practitioners, provide policy expertise, youth leadership opportunities, and develop capacity building resources.
About Youth Ambassadors Network (YAN)
The Youth Ambassadors Network (YAN) to MYAN was established in 2015 as a key mechanism for young people from across Australia to engage directly with, inform the work of MYAN and promote positive change in the lives of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Appointed through a selection process, the YAN are young leaders working within their state or territory and in the national arena through MYAN.
