The Ethnic Youth Advisory Group (EYAG) is a committee of young people from different ethnic backgrounds. EYAG was established in late 2004 to discuss existing and emerging issues related to ethnic young people in Western Australia, and to advise the Government on how to address and respond to these issues. EYAG also acts as an advisory and consultative body to other State Government agencies and non-government organisations.

EYAG monthly meetings are held at the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) and coordinated by an OMI staff member. For more information about EYAG please contact OMI on 9222 8800.

Participants at the Ethnic Youth Consultation Forum organised by the Office of Multicultural Interests and the Office for Children and Youth
The forum was held to identify and prioritise issues affecting ethnic youth in Perth.

In 2005 the Ethnic Youth Advisory Group (EYAG) convened a Youth Consultative Forum to identify issues faced by young people from CaLD backgrounds in Western Australia. Feedback from these consultations led to a Discussion Paper titled ‘Not Drowning, Waving’: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) Young People in Western Australia’.

‘Not Drowning, Waving’ covers key areas for CaLD young people such as home, community, sport and recreation, health, education and employment. It draws on local, national and international research, as well as EYAG’s Youth Consultative Forum and other local consultations involving CaLD young people.

The Discussion Paper was circulated for comment to over 100 Government, non-Government and other organisations in 2007. Responses now form the basis for an action plan to address the key issues, to implement some of the ideas, that are presented in the paper.

For copies of the Discussion Paper contact OMI on 9222 8800. An up-dated version will be made available on the OMI website in mid 2008.

In October 2006, the Department of Sports and Recreation, the Office of Multicultural Interests and the City of Stirling teamed up to launch a three-year project to give young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds an opportunity to take part in sport and recreational activities. A Special Projects Officer is currently based at the Herb Graham Recreation Centre in Mirrabooka to co-ordinate a range of strategies that address the barriers faced by refugee and migrant youth in participating in sport and recreation in established facilities and clubs.

The project has followed a model of national best practice through collaboration and partnerships with local, community and state organisations, as well as linking into the well resourced facilities and programs offered within the City of Stirling

Some of the activities that have been involved so far include a:

• YOUR Goal Indoor Soccer Program
• Let's Swim Female Only Swimming Program
• January School Holiday Program with the Edmund Rice Centre
• Multicultural Women’s Exercise Group with ISHAR and the Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre
• Active Together Harmony Forever Community Art Engagement Project, in partnership with the Edmund Rice Centre, Balga PCYC, Balga SHS and St. Bakhita Church (Dinka Church)
• Active Together Harmony Forever Festival in March 2007
• Netball Education Program for IEC Girls at the Balga Intensive English Centre

For more information on how to get your community members involved, contact Julia Gyomber, Special Projects Officer, on Tel: 9440 6062.