Youth policies are necessary to ensure young Australians are not radicalised, a Victoria University youth work academic has claimed.
Professor Robyn Broadbent says targeted government support would better engage radicalised young Australians who otherwise turn on their own country.
Professor Broadbent said clear youth policies needed to be implemented by the Australian government to ensure the value of Australian youth was recognised and supported.
“No one is joining the dots about why the young men making news as ‘terrorists’ in Australia are becoming marginalised and disengaged,” she said.
“This is not about religion or politics – it’s about them seeing themselves as having no future, no seat at the table, no chance for active participation in the governance of their community and of their country.”
Professor Broadbent stressed the seriousness of the issue would evolve without a policy or minister for youth to represent young Australians.
She said a national youth policy should embrace all of the issues that impact on young people, including education, health, welfare, employment, gender equality and civic participation.
Professor Broadbent suggests that Australia develop formal policies that mandate a youth voice at every level of government, especially of young people from disadvantaged or minority backgrounds.
Victoria University Greens Group is hosting a free community forum, which focuses on terror, policing, ASIO, Islam and the community, on November 13, 6pm, at Victoria University, Ballarat Road, Footscray.
More details at www.greenswest.org/the_issue
