The ‘Change Makers’ program provided young people with a platform to help build an inclusive and welcoming community, by tackling issues related to racism and discrimination here in Greater Dandenong.
12 young people formed the Change Makers Project team – a group of passionate young advocates from diverse backgrounds and met weekly throughout July - August 2021. The Change Makers planned and delivered a number of projects to help address racism and discrimination in our community, outlined below.
Change Makers Community Projects
City of Greater Dandenong Proudly Diverse – Awareness Campaign
Society places labels on people from different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities based on false stereotypes. The Change Makers team found that these racial stereotypes can have negative impacts on young people’s wellbeing and sense of belonging in our community.
The Change Makers created this video to challenge harmful racial stereotypes and encourage young people to reclaim their identities by choosing their own labels. We are home to Australia’s most diverse community, and we embrace all of our cultural identities. We are the City of Greater Dandenong and we are proudly diverse.
Diversity in Leadership Forum
Recognising that there is a lack of multicultural people in leadership positions, and the importance of having diverse role models, the Change Makers have developed a ‘Diversity in Leadership’ forum to increase representation of young people of colour in leadership roles. The forum seeks to increase newly arrived young people’s awareness of leadership opportunities within the local community, building their capacity to act as engaged citizens and take on leadership roles.
Available for delivery to groups of up to 30 young people (online or in-person, in line with current COVID restrictions), the forum features an inspiring young leader as a guest speaker, and an interactive leadership workshop facilitated by our Change Makers group. Participants will gain exposure to a breadth of leadership opportunities and programs for young people in our community and beyond.
To find out more and make a booking enquiry, please contact Youth and Family Services on 9793 2155.
Submission for the Anti Racism Taskforce
The Change Makers also participated in a consultation, to garner insights into young people’s experiences of racism and discrimination in Greater Dandenong. Their feedback and suggestions have helped to inform a report submitted to the Victorian Anti-Racism Taskforce, for consideration in their development of a new state-wide Anti-Racism Strategy.
The report outlines key themes relating to how, and where, incidences of racism occur in our community, as well as recommendations for combatting racism and discrimination.
Click here to access the full report
Helpful Resources and Support Services
If you think you have been discriminated against, victimized or vilified based on your race, contact the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) on 1300 292 153.
To make a formal complaint, visit makeacomplaint.humanrights.vic.gov.au
If you want to tell the VEOHRC about your experience but do not wish to make a formal complaint, you can use the Community Reporting Tool.
If you need support for your mental health and wellbeing, contact:
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Headspace 1800 650 890
Find out more information
For further information, please contact Youth and Family Services.
Phone: 9793 2155
Email: youthservices@cgd.vic.gov.au
Facebook: cgdyouthservices
Instagram: @GreaterDandenongYouthServices
