18 members of Victoria’s first multicultural youth speakers’ agency are ready to be heard.
Shout Out is an innovative public speakers project that trains and nurtures young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to share their experiences and views with the broader community.
CMY Youth Leadership Advisor Alice Gomez said the project recognised young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds had a wealth of unique perspectives and fresh ideas to contribute to Australia’s rich diversity. “These young people’s voices are often stereotyped, marginalised or invisible in mainstream culture and this can damage their ability to feel like they belong, Shout Out is an opportunity for young people to redress the balance and present their stories and experiences to audiences that may not usually have the chance to hear them” Alice Gomez.
The Centre for Multicultural Youth created Shout Out with support from Gandel Foundation, and the Shout Out speaker’s web site was launched in December 2014.
Schools, local councils, community organisations, government agencies and the media will have access to these young speakers, who can present on issues such as youth engagement, justice, identity and racism.
Shout Out speaker Celia Tran believes young multicultural voices were often absent in mainstream media. “Shout Out will give young people like me the opportunity to be heard and the opportunity to be consulted on policies that affect us. Through Shout Out I feel empowered and confident to step up and use my skills for leadership and advocacy.”
Visit http://cmy.net.au/shoutout/request to view profiles and book a Shout Out speaker.
Celia Tran (left) during one of the Shout Out training sessions.