Australia: Youth Engagement in the Northern Territory Remote Communities

Youth on Darnley Island, Torres Strait. © ABM/Malcom MacCallum, 2014.

With alarming youth suicide and self harm rates across remote communities in Northern Australia it is clear more needs to be offered to youth to find identity and purpose. A new focus for the ABM Reconciliation Program in 2015 will be initiatives toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth engagement.

The Province of Queensland and the Northern Territory undertook to raise $10,000 in the Archbishop’s November appeal in 2014. ABM needs to triple that amount to begin the project this year, so please give generously.

ABM’s Reconciliation Coordinator, Mal MacCallum said, “There’s a new report put together by 41 elders in top end of Australia and it’s about the alarming youth suicide and harm rates that have come into play in the last decade. The statistics say the youth suicide rate is the highest in the world – that’s in our own country and that’s a frightening thing and something we are oblivious to in many respects, in our own sheltered communities and in our Christian communities too.”

The focus in 2015 will be in these North Queensland, Torres Strait Islands and the Northern Territory remote communities. The initiatives will be implemented through consultation with local churches, NATSIAC and the dioceses. ABM will partner with the leadership to direct the resources required to ensure young people are engaged in their community and supported in their needs.

AU011YE – Youth Engagement needs $22,000 in 2015 (non tax-deductible)

 

HOW TO DONATE

You can make an online donation to this project by selecting Australia: Youth Engagement in Northern Australia from the full project list.

Alternatively, for donations by cheque/money order (made out to the Anglican Board of Mission – Australia), telephone or email, view contact details here. Please don’t forget to include the project name and/or code with your payment details.