About youth
The government wants to engage with young people, aged 12 to 25, because they:
- are valued members of the community
- are entitled to the same human rights and protections as all other members of the community
- are entitled to respect and dignity
- have unique and diverse gifts, knowledge, and skills
- make valuable and significant contributions to society.
Government policies, programs, and services are more likely to meet the needs of young people when young people are involved in decision-making processes.
The department works with statewide youth organisations, community organisations, state and local governments, and young people in Queensland to:
- Increase the capacity of government to engage with, value, and respond to young people by working with government agencies, youth representative bodies, and community organisations to ensure government policies, programs, and services meet the needs of young people.
- Promote and support opportunities that enable young people (particularly disadvantaged young people) to participate in and shape policies, programs, and services to better meet their needs. Our strategies and tools include the Generate website, the Queensland Youth Council, Youth Engagement Grants, the Get on Board initiative, administration of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, National Youth Week and Two way Street.
- Support young people to achieve their full potential through programs such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Young Indigenous Leaders Forums.
- Promote the well-being and safety of young people through involvement in responsive services, such as Youth at Risk Outreach Service (YAROS), Youth and Community Combined Action (YACCA) initiative, Youth Support Coordinator initiative (YSC), Social and Economic Development Service (SEDS) and Muslim Youth Worker Program.
- Provide high quality youth justice services by reviewing the processes related to youth justice conferencing and youth justice programs.
Last updated: 25 June 2008.