The FUSE 2025 “Shaping Tomorrow – My Vision for Australia” program aims to empower young individuals from refugee and migrant backgrounds to voice their innovative ideas for creating a more inclusive, equitable, and harmonious Australia. This initiative provides a platform for young people to share their unique perspectives and contribute to the national dialogue on building a better future for all Australians.
Successful applicants will be invited to Parliament House in Canberra 23-24th July to present their ideas directly to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators. This unique opportunity will allow participants to:
- Develop skills in advocacy, public speaking and leadership.
- Gain valuable feedback and insights from policymakers.
- Build networks with influential leaders and peers.
- Receive recognition and support for their innovative ideas.
Participant’s pitches will be collected into a report and presented to parliamentarians by MYAN Australia. The report will also be shared more broadly within MYAN’s networks.
Who can apply
The program is open to young people aged 18-25 from refugee, migrant, or asylum-seeker backgrounds, as well as international students studying in Australia. No prior experience in advocacy or public speaking is required for this program.
Commitment
Successful participants are expected to:
- Attend monthly workshops leading up to the event in Canberra.
- Dedicate time to refining and finalising their pitch to deliver in Canberra.
- Participate in the 2-day event in Canberra in 23rd-24th July 2025.
How to enter
Eligible applicants can submit their entries through the form linked here.
Written or video submissions can be uploaded through the form. You may choose to share a link to your pitch instead.
Submission Guidelines
Format: Submissions can be in the form of either a written document (maximum of 1,000 words) or an audio-visual presentation (maximum of 5 minutes).
Content: Your pitch should clearly outline your idea or initiative that aims to improve Australia. This involves creating a compelling pitch that clearly communicates your vision, the problem it addresses, the proposed solution, and its potential impact on young people, on one of these six topics:
- Climate Change and Sustainability
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Education and Employment Opportunities
- Social Justice and Equity
- Digital Literacy and Cybersecurity
- Youth Participation in Governance
Originality: Ideas must be original. Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Innovation: The novelty and creativity of the idea.
- Impact: The potential positive impact on Australian society.
- Feasibility: The practicality and viability of implementing the idea.
- Clarity: The coherence and persuasiveness of the pitch.
Submission Deadline: 30th November 2024
Announcement of Finalists: 30th January 2025
Presentation at Parliament House: 24th July 2025
Key Dates
- Applications close: Sunday 30th of November 2024, 11:59 AEDT
Tentative Timeline
- Short listed interviews: Late January 2025
- Introduction session: February 2025
- First workshop: March 2025
- Second workshop: April 2025
- Third workshop: May 2025
- Pitch finalised: Early June 2025
- Event in Canberra: 23-24 July 2025
Pitch Week/Sitting Week
FUSE 2025 includes a 2-day residential ‘Pitch’ camp in Canberra during sitting week, where participants will present their pitch ideas to Senators, Ministers, and MPs. The program will include:
- The opportunity to connect and network with other young leaders across Australia.
- A fully-funded residential experience in Canberra, including accommodation, catering, and transport.
- A celebratory reception.
- Workshops and professional development on public speaking, advocacy, and effective story telling and pitch development.
- Mentoring and support from MYAN staff throughout the entirety of the program.
- Access to resources and toolkits for refining ideas prior to delivering pitches in Canberra.
What inclusion and accessibility support will be provided?
We work to make all our events as accessible to as many people as possible. If you have any access requirements not covered below, please email recruitment@myan.org.au.
Accessibility at the venues
All our gatherings are held at wheelchair accessible venues.
Auslan Interpreters
Auslan Interpreters can be provided for gatherings.
Covering costs
All travel and accommodation will be covered by MYAN Australia in line with our travel and events policies.
How will you ensure this program is COVID safe?
To be able to attend any in person event with MYAN participants must:
- Be well, and not present with cold or flu-like symptoms.
- Not be waiting on COVID-19 test results.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information and questions, please email recruitment@myan.org.au.
What is FUSE?
FUSE is a unique and transformative opportunity for young Australians from refugee, migrant and asylum-seeking backgrounds to build and apply leadership and advocacy skills, expand their networks, and connect with peers from across Australia.
Delegates participate in skills-building workshops, hear from experienced advocates working in diverse sectors, explore key issues and solutions facing young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, and engage with decision-makers and MPs from the state and federal levels.
FUSE is designed to equip delegates with the skills, confidence, knowledge and networks to engage in creating changes in their local communities, and at the state and national levels. Post FUSE, delegates are supported to apply their skills and knowledge at the state and local levels through MYAN’s partners. Previous FUSE delegates have gone on to be leaders in their state/territory and have joined MYAN’s Youth Ambassador Network (YAN).
FUSE Aims
FUSE aims to provide opportunities for young Australians from refugee, asylum seeking and migrant backgrounds to:
Share perspectives, and experiences with other young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds from around Australia;