Youth

Youth Advisory Committee Members

The SAMEAC Youth Advisory Committee members for 2011-12 are:

• Ms Sumeja Skaka (Convenor)
• Ms Genevieve Sika Adzanku              
• Ms Mary Han Avina       
• Ms Jennifer Baccanello  
• Mr Abu Bakar Sidique Bah                 
• Mr Rudis Dancis           
• Ms Michelle Dieu           
• Ms Sandra Elhelw         
• Mr George Fomba         
• Ms Stamatiki Kritas       
• Ms Karen My Nuong Lam                  
• Mr Andy Lieu               
• Ms Suzanne Mashtoub-Abimosleh      
• Mr Besmellah Rezaee
• Mr Van Bawi Tinhlawng

 

The Youth Advisory Committee was established to:

• Provide advice to the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission through the convenor of the committee on programs and policies that address the issues and concerns of youth of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• Work closely with ethnic community and youth organisations and foster cooperation amongst them.

• Recommend to the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission topics for forums and other events that raise awareness and encourage discussion on key issues for youth of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• Identify and promote the achievements and contributions of youth of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

 

ARCHIVE

South Australian Multicultural Youth Ambassadors (SAMYA)

The South Australian Multicultural Youth Ambassadors - (SAMYA) was launched on 6 February 2010.

About 70 people attended the launch event at the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre at the University of South Australia. Guest speakers included (pictured, from left) the Minister for Youth, the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis M.P., the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia and Chairman of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commisison, Mr Hieu Van Le, and the inaugural Chairman of SAMYA, Dr Aaron Mohtar. Mr Le said the new organisation had been a direct result of a Multicultural Youth Summit at which more than 100 young people indicated that they wanted to express their cultural heritage in their own way.

"What they wanted, most of all, was to be heard. And we listened," Mr Le said.

"We looked for a practical recommendation that would create a platform for discussion with young people and a way to learn and to exchange ideas and views.

"Many members of the Commission's Youth Advisory Committee and the Steering Committee organized themselves, and the result is the South Australian Multicultural Youth Ambassadors – SAMYA.

"SAMYA will be an independent, self-managed organisation.

"These young ambassadors have worked hard to formulate a constitution and to become an incorporated body. They are serious about their aims."

The SAMYA Management Committee is comprised of:

• Dr Aaron Mohtar; member of the Lebanese Druze community, and member of SAMEAC’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)

• Mr Sokhen Thach; member of the Khmer Krom Association

• Ms Vinda Kong; member of the Cambodian community

• Ms Janis McGovern; member of the Filipino Community

• Ms Olympia Elekwachi; member of the Igbo Community (from Nigeria)

• Ms Sumeja Skaka; member of the Bosnian Community and member of SAMEAC and YAC

• Ms Rubina Carlson; member of the Tongan Community

According to SAMYA’s Constitution, the objects of the association are:

• To provide networking opportunities to allow information and experience sharing amongst CALD youth groups.

• To promote multicultural awareness via cross cultural education, communication and event organisation.

• To encourage CALD youth to preserve their identity by getting involved in their communities.

• To provide awareness of multicultural and youth services.

Youth Meeting

Multicultural SA hosted a highly successful meeting of multicultural youth in Adelaide on 2 May 2009.

Twenty two participants nominated to be part of a steering committee to establish a new organisation. A Facebook group called SA Multicultural Youth Discussion Group was also launched.

For further information on the Youth program, and to see the Photo Gallery, click here.

Youth Summit Report

The South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission has released the Report of the Multicultural Youth Summit.

The Summit, held in October 2008, was attended by more than 100 people, from 20 different cultural groups.

Click here to download a copy of the Youth Summit Report (PDF Version, 284 KB)