For an ‘exciting new initiative’ it hasn’t garnered much excitement.
Before you Google it, AYF stands for the Australian Youth Forum.
It: ‘will enable young Australians to be engaged in discussions with the Australian Government about important issues’
http://www.thesource.gov.au/involve/ayf.asp
Excusing my customary cynicism I acknowledge it’s an honourable idea, giving a voice to under 25’s - a demographic which was largely ignored under the previous government.
Afterall the under 25’s have inherited, high petrol prices, unaffordable housing, an environmental crisis and two conflicts we couldn’t even vote for. Now more than ever the policies of the government need to have a focus on the future generation.
The typical reason offered for failures in youth engagement, is because of an apathetic youth culture. It’s very hard to care about something when you don’t know about it. I like to think I’m pretty tuned in when it comes to news and politics, so if this forum is news to me, how is it meant to engage the average Joe in the skate park?
Triple J’s Hack program tested that hypothesis the day of the launch. The reporter walked 50m from the AYF Launch in Adelaide’s Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre across the road to the city skate park. The reporter asked the locals whether they knew the Australian Youth Forum was being held next door? The reply was no. Asked whether they would have attended the launch had they known, the reply was yes.
The Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre (A) and the Adelaide City Skate park (B) using Google Maps.
Apparently a discussion paper was launched in March that ran for three months that asked for thoughts and opinions on the initiative. I’m wondering how much feedback they got, considering no one knows about it.
When the Minister for Youth, the Hon Kate Ellis MP was asked about the lack of awareness she replied that the AYF had a website where young Australians could get involved. It was telling that the Minister wasn’t even confident with the URL of the website let alone it’s content and effectiveness.
A few months ago I commented on National Youth Week and its lack of impact in the community. At least the event had some coverage and awareness. And the website looked appropriate and user friendly. The same can not be said about the AYF. The Australian Tax Office website looks more encouraging.
  
From left to right, The National Youth week website, The Australian Tax Office website, The Australian Youth Forum website.
I am in favour of giving a voice to those who often do not have one but if this is the best the government can offer, it is wasting its time. | 
