Our YAG Speak Out of Top Priorities in 2024 Youth Representative Report

Education, climate change, mental health, and financial security were the key issues young Australians highlighted as the most pressing issues of our time in the Youth Representative Report 2024 from UN Youth Australia. They captured the perspectives of over 2,000 young people during the annual 'Listening Tour,' which our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) proudly participated in last July.

The 'Listening Tour' brought together young Australians from every corner of the country, including rural and urban communities, to discuss their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future.

The findings of this year's report point to four key issues that resonate most strongly with young Australians:

• Education: There is a need for an inclusive, equitable, and adaptive education system that prepares young people for the future. Every educational institution should incorporate comprehensive initiatives that promote critical thinking, civic engagement, and social cohesion.
• Climate Change: A call for urgent action to address environmental challenges and ensure a sustainable future. Increasing investment in the research and development of sustainable alternatives for fossil fuels. Improving existing recycling and composting systems, including a nationwide soft plastics recycling scheme, to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
• Mental Health: The importance of accessible mental health. An increase in the availability of accessible care to people who have disabilities. More accessible information on the support services available to victims of domestic violence and a more transparent reporting process.
• Poverty & Financial Security: Concerns about job stability, affordable housing, and economic opportunities for young people. Improving education funding and student debt policies. This would relieve financial stress and encourage more young people to pursue tertiary education.

A further achievement of this report has been the reintroduction of state and territory sections, enabled by the increased number of participants in this year’s research. This addition highlights issues unique to each region, making the report even more valuable for local policymakers addressing youth concerns. For example, young Queenslanders identified education, mental health, and gender inequality as key areas of impact.

They noted challenges such as climate change, the rising cost of living, and poverty. Their hopes included equal pay based on qualifications rather than gender, consistency in government policies, particularly for those with mental health disabilities, and prioritising practical education, such as civic education and online safety courses, in Australian schools.

Our Youth Advisory Group's participation in this consultation demonstrates our commitment to empowering young voices and advocating for the changes they want to see. Understanding and addressing these key issues is an important opportunity for policymakers, educators, and communities to work towards a better and more inclusive future for all Australians.

Check the report here