Queensland Youth Charter
Queensland Youth Charter Statement of commitment
All Queenslanders have a right to participate in Queensland’s government processes. Through The Queensland Youth Charter, the Queensland Government recognises its obligation to involve young people aged 12–25 years in the development of policies, programs and services that affect them.
Participation takes many forms but at a minimum, young people must have timely and suitable opportunities to be involved and heard. The Queensland Government will work with its partners and stakeholders across government, industry and the non-government
sectors to involve young people in policy, program and service development. This will widen opportunities for young people to raise proposals and ideas in a variety of forums.
The Queensland Government will also consider young people’s diversity, taking into account aspects such as age, gender, cultural and religious background, education, level of ability, lifestyle choice and economic status. The Queensland Government will provide appropriate levels of support to ensure young people have equitable access to participation in Queensland’s governance processes.
Purpose
The Queensland Youth Charter articulates the values and principles essential to the effective engagement of young people in policy, program and service development.
Values
The following value statements about young people and participation inform the Queensland Government’s approach to ensuring young people’s participation in government processes.
Young people:
- are valued members of the community
- are entitled to the same human rights and protections as all other community members
- are entitled to respect and dignity
- have unique and diverse talents, knowledge and skills
- make valuable and significant contributions to society.
Participation
The Queensland Government values young people’s participation in its decision-making processes. It also recognises the power imbalance that can exist between young people and government decision makers and is committed to addressing this by ensuring that young people’s views and opinions are included.
Participation:
- recognises young people as citizens and empowers them to be involved in all aspects of community life
- provides young people with timely information about government processes
- maximises opportunities for policies, programs and services to be suitable and effective for a diverse range of young people
- demonstrates respect and dignity for young people by listening to them and considering their ideas and views seriously
- creates opportunities for young people to demonstrate, develop and use their skills and knowledge
- encourages democracy so young people can play an active and positive part in government decision making
- recognises that young people can shape society through their involvement in government decision making
- fosters supportive relationships between young people and other members of their communities that are based on respect, equality and accountability
- provides links, networks and diverse pathways for young people to connect with government and community.
Principles
The Queensland Government is committed to the following principles that underpin its strategies to maximise young people’s engagement and participation in government processes:
- When making decisions about policies, programs and services, government should engage with young people on issues that directly impact on them as well as broader community agendas.
- Young people have a right to participate in government processes. They also have a right to choose the extent of their involvement, or not to participate.
- The government should consider how proposed changes to policies, programs and services affect young people.
- Participation is beneficial to young people and should be a positive experience which acknowledges young people’s contribution.
- When engaging young people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the government should be mindful and respectful of cultural protocols.
- Appropriate supports should be provided to ensure that a diverse range of young people can participate in the process. An interpreter or advocate may be used to ensure principles of access and equity are met.
- Young people should be able to access various ways to participate or convey their ideas, for example, orally, in writing, or via technology.
- Opportunities for young people to participate should be advertised and promoted in diverse and relevant ways and locations.
- Sufficient resources should be provided to enable young people to participate, including information about how they can be involved in democratic processes and practical supports such as transport assistance.
- Young people should receive timely feedback on the outcomes of decisions in which they have participated and their contribution should be promoted.
- Opportunities should be available to enable young people to respond to government agendas and share ideas and initiate matters for government consideration.
- When young people are involved in or are subject to the legal system or government administrative decision making or review, the government should ensure they have the opportunity to participate. For example, the government may engage with young people by:
- explaining processes or proceedings in an accessible and relevant manner
- dealing with matters promptly and explaining anticipated time frames to young people
- establishing practices and procedures that recognise young people’s various needs
- providing support for young people’s wellbeing before and after proceedings
- ensuring that processes to challenge decisions are available and accessible for young people.
The principles outlined above are subject to the laws of the State of Queensland and the Commonwealth.
Model of participation
The Queensland Government interacts with the community in a variety of ways, from one-way information provision to collaborative engagement. The model below outlines varying levels of participation. The minimum standard of participation expected of government is Level 3 — Consideration. However, the Queensland Government seeks to achieve Level 4 — Engagement.
| Level | Attitude Are staff in your department/ agency committed to the Charter and do they… |
Action Does your department/ agency have strategies/ processes that… |
Accountability Does departmental/ agency policy… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Listening |
listen to what young people have to say | enable it to listen to young people’s views | require the inclusion of processes for young people to be heard |
| Level 2 Facilitation |
ensure young people are able to have their say | assist young people to have their say | require that young people be assisted so they can be heard |
| Level 3 Consideration (minimum standard) |
incorporate what young people have to say | ensure young people’s views are incorporated | require that young people’s views are incorporated |
| Level 4 Engagement(best practice) |
encourage young people to play a constructive role in decision-making processes | provide young people with a constructive role in decision-making processes | require that young people play a role in decision-making processes and receive feedback |
Government departments and agencies should firstly consult the Office for Youth and then the Community Development and Engagement Policy Unit within the Department of Communities to determine the most appropriate method of participation when engaging with young people.
Implementing the Charter
The Queensland Youth Charter guides the Queensland Government’s engagement with young people in the development of policy, programs and services. To implement the Charter, government departments and agencies will:
- integrate the values and principles outlined in the Charter into the development of policy, programs and services
- train staff on the intent, content and implementation of the Charter
- establish diverse and accessible ways to participate, including those needed to:
- provide and inform young people of opportunities to participate in the development of policy, program and services
- promote young people’s contribution and participation
- provide young people with feedback on decisions in which they have participated
- monitor compliance with the Charter’s provisions
- liaise with the Office for Youth and the Community Engagement and Development Policy Unit within the Department of Communities to obtain advice and assistance on how to implement the Charter
- consider the Charter’s impact on the legislative framework in which government operates and ensure the values and principles in the Charter are integrated into the framework as appropriate.
Monitoring and reporting process
The Office for Youth and the Community Engagement and Development Policy Unit within the Department of Communities will work together to monitor whole-of-government implementation of The Queensland Youth Charterand provide feedback to government agencies on how engaging with young people can be improved. This will be done in consultation with the Queensland Youth Council.
On an annual basis, Queensland Government departments will provide information about the actions and processes they have undertaken to include young people in policy, program and service development. The Office for Youth will report this information to the Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth and the Queensland Youth Council for consideration. For further information on the reporting process, contact the Manager, Youth Participation and Support from the Office for Youth (contact details following).
On an ongoing basis, the Queensland Youth Council may advise and make recommendations to the Minister about improving The Queensland Youth Charter and its implementation by the Queensland Government. The Minister will consider measures to address Council concerns.
Last updated: 01 October 2008.