Youth development and leadership
The Office for Youth develops, facilitates and supports the following programs and services that encourage young Queenslanders, from all backgrounds, to achieve their full potential:
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program is available to every young Queenslander aged between 14 and 25 years. To receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award, participants complete a minimum of between six months to two years participation in self-selected activities. These activities include service to the community, skills development, expeditions or explorations and physical recreation.
In Queensland The Bridge Award is also available for people aged 11 and a half years to 14 years, and for young people up to 30 years of age who due to special circumstances may experience barriers to participating in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Bridge Award program introduces young people to a range of new opportunities and activities, and provides an introduction to the Bronze level of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and The Bridge Award help young people to:
- develop key life skills and abilities
- explore new interests
- set and reach their personal, educational, and career goals
- work in a team
- develop their self confidence and leadership potential
- recognise the importance of service to others in the community
- contribute to and shape the society in which they live
- enhance their own sense of self worth.
Expansion projects
As part of the department’s commitment to providing youth development opportunities to Indigenous young people, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Program will continue to be promoted in Indigenous communities.
The department is undertaking a trial of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expansion Project within four Indigenous communities: Cherbourg, Inala, Weipa, and Mornington Island. The trial will address an identified need to increase the participation of young Indigenous people and will inform future development of the Award program.
The department is also currently progressing a number of projects to enhance young people's access to the Award by increasing the number of community agencies that register to run the program, and by expanding the program into the youth justice system.
Young Indigenous Leadership
The Young Indigenous Leaders Forum is part of the Queensland Government's Reconciliation Action Plan which recognises and encourages successful reconciliation initiatives. The department has organised the Young Indigenous Leaders Forum since 2004.
The Young Indigenous Leaders Forum addresses issues that are relevant to young Indigenous people. Participants have the opportunity to learn about leadership, develop leadership skills and build networks with other young leaders.
This year the forum will be held in Brisbane commencing Monday 28 May 2007. Tuesday 29 May and Wednesday 30 May are full day programs of the Young Indigenous Leaders Forum. On Thursday 31 May participants will attend a Reconciliation Business Forum followed by a Reconciliation Awards for Business ceremony.
A regional Young Indigenous Leaders Forum will also be held in Cairns later in the year.
Last updated: 29 January 2009.