Australia’s second ever national youth summit for young people from refugee and migrant background, FUSE 2016 was held in Melbourne from December 6-9, 2016.
Working with the themes ‘Connect’, ‘Ignite’ and ‘Trail- blaze’, FUSE 2016 brought together 35 young people from across Australia to network with peers, share perspectives and ideas, and engage with experienced advocates, MPs and other decision-makers.
MYAN Australia Youth Ambassadors supported the planning and delivery of FUSE 2016. Delegates participated in a range of skills-based workshops and panel sessions, and heard directly from MPs, experienced advocates and decision-makers. Delegates connected with other young people and worked together over three days to develop ideas and explore key issues facing young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Australia.
On the final day, delegates delivered group presentations to Senator Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs, on key issues impacting refugee and migrant young people, including education, health, community and belonging, racism and discrimination, and youth leadership and empowerment.
MYAN Australia works from the premise that young people from multicultural backgrounds have unique experiences and knowledge, and should be supported to articulate the issues impacting on their lives and identify solutions. FUSE 2016 is designed to address these issues.
“I loved the amount of support by FUSE organisers. The energy, the idea of directly speaking to government representatives and that we were able to do it in the best ways we knew how (creative freedom).”
Overwhelming feedback from delegates reflected that FUSE 2016 was a successful event with significant outcomes for delegates, resulting in broader networks (with peers, organisations, MPs and other decision-makers), as well as increased skills and knowledge.
The majority of delegates expressed interest in future advocacy work in their local communities and with MYAN. Delegates valued the opportunity to voice their opinions, discuss issues of importance, develop recommendations, share their experiences with peers, and develop practical skills and knowledge. They also requested further support to continue to apply their advocacy skills and connect with each other.
What did they learn?
- 99% of delegates indicated they learnt new skills at FUSE 2016 which could help them in future leadership and advocacy.
- 80% reported that they were very likely to apply the skills learned to promote the rights and interests of young people. The same delegates also stated they would get involved in advocacy, community organising and events to engage other young people and to work to create change in their community.
67% felt more confident with their advocacy skills and knowledge. - 71% reported feeling more confident with their leadership skills and knowledge.
- 53% felt more confident in their community organising and networking skills.
Top 5 lessons
- Different leadership styles
- Using storytelling as an advocacy tool
- Importance of self-care
- How to apply skills in a community context
- Understanding what advocacy is and the forms it can take
- Promote the outcomes of FUSE, including producing a report to promote the voices of young people and the importance of national events like FUSE in supporting active citizenship.
- Develop strategies for policy and advocacy work in relation to young people’s presentations and recommendations from the final day group ‘Pitches’.
- Capitalise on the outcomes of FUSE (e.g. skills, knowledge, energy, confidence, networks) by:
- Providing opportunities for young people to apply their skills in a range of settings, including local/state, national and international forums. Utilise the MYAN networks to support this
- Inviting interested FUSE delegates to join the MYAN Youth Ambassadors Network
- Investigating the possibility of MYAN state/ territory-based FUSE events (such as Catalyst in WA)
- MYAN (national and state/territory) to facilitate ongoing communication among FUSE delegates and between delegates and the MYAN, supporting FUSE delegates to achieve their vision and engage in future opportunities. This includes supporting networking, communication and promotion of leadership opportunities across the network.