Youth

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)

Youth Advisory Committee

During 2006, the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAMEAC) held several consultations with leaders of ethnic communities. At these consultations the leaders of communities expressed concern about the lack of engagement of youth in the life of ethnic communities. The Youth Advisory Committee is the first step in addressing this matter.

The Youth Advisory Committee has been 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.

 Youth Advisory Committee Members

Sidique Bah is a member of the Sierra Leonean community

and employed as an Electorate Officer

for Senator Annette Hurley.

Vicki Brunello is a member of the Italian community

and an employee of the Office of the Liquor and

Gambling Commissioner as a Legal and Policy Advice Officer.

Carmen Garcia is a member of the Filipino community

and the Assistant Manager of Multicultural Youth South Australia.

Aaron Mohtar is a member of the Lebanese Druze community

and a student of the School of Electrical and Information Engineering,

University of South Australia.

Tram Vu is a member of the Vietnamese community

and an employee of the Flinders Medical Centre as a Technical Officer.

Michelle Dieu is a member of the Chinese community

and an employee at the Migrant Resource Centre.

She is a member of the South Australian Multicultural

and Ethnic Affairs Commission

and the Convenor of the Youth Advisory Committee.