The National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS) was established in the late 1980s as a cooperative arrangement between the Federal, State and Territory Governments to fund a national research program on issues affecting young people. NYARS research projects are selected by the Ministerial Council on Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA). In November 2002, NYARS commissioned Edith Cowan University to undertake a research project on ‘Local Government and Young People’.
Drawing on experiences in rural, regional and isolated communities and in metropolitan areas across Australia, the NYARS project will identify and comment on the range and effectiveness of programs employed by Local Government in delivering services that impact on young people; and activities designed by Local Government to enhance young people’s inclusion within the community.
Through the identification of best practice models in such programs and activities, the NYARS project will provide the following.
- A draft framework that suggests methods for quality improvement in Local Government programs and activities that impact upon young people.
- Advice on the collaborative ways that other spheres of government, service providers and the community may support Local Government in improving its own capacity to engage with young people.
The project will conclude in late 2003. The project report is expected to be publicly available in early 2004 through the NYARS page on the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) web site at www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/aboutfacs/programs/youth-nyars.htm
