Young men dare to mix it up
Friday 12 September 2008
Young men from south-western Sydney shared their experiences of new-found social cohesion with the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, today.
The 20 men completed a community relations camp today aimed at improving social cohesion in their area. Mr Ferguson congratulated the participants on their achievements at the four-day camp in Ulladulla, on the NSW South Coast, where they were ‘dared’ to take on tough personal challenges.
The camp is part of the Mixing it Up project run by DARE Charity Ltd in partnership with the Independent Centre of Research Australia and Police Community Youth Clubs in Campbelltown and Bankstown and is funded under the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) community relations program.
The project aims to address community relations issues that have arisen between different groups in the Macquarie Fields and Auburn areas, by appealing to the participants’ sense of adventure.
The camp combined physical and team-building exercises with motivational sessions and mentoring from role models. At the event marking the completion of the camp, the young men spoke with Mr Ferguson, their communities and the media.
‘I hear they’ve run up sand dunes, played challenging team sports and discussed complex issues,’ the parliamentary secretary said. ‘Activities like these can teach us about the value of positive action, self-worth and how these things can be influenced by what other people think and do.’
Mr Ferguson said it was a valuable experience for people to be taken out of their normal routine and challenged on their attitudes, actions and ambitions.
‘These young Australians have worked together over the past week to develop resilience, positive attitudes, personal skills and respect for one another,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘Projects like this empower young people with the knowledge and skills to break down barriers and contribute to a peaceful and cohesive society.’
Participants will be involved in a range of follow-up activities over the coming months including workshops and ongoing support via email and SMS.
Media Contact: Khaldoun Hajaj - 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08056.htm
Last update: 12 September 2008 at 15:25 AEST