Recognising the long term benefits of the development of a knowledge economy in Australia, the Left Right team in NSW will be asking the central question of how Australia is developing as a knowledge economy, by investigating and furthering the development of the tertiary education sector.

With this in mind, and under the tutelage of our dynamic policy duo, Sanija Hrncic & Abhishek Bhovar, the NSW Fellows will take an in depth look at the tertiary sector from where it stands today, to pivotal reforms already underway; as well as the direction that needs to be taken in order to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Debates around access to equity, preparation for entry to University, and the quality and inflation of education are just the top soil of a program aimed at developing a critical framework for maximising the potential of the Australian tertiary sector.

On a slightly different note, the skies above Sydney were temporarily darkened last month as our State Director, Giancarlo de Vera, was rendered mute and sartorically deprived (in a literal and semiotic sense) — all to raise money for World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine. We were shocked when we heard that Giancarlo, always impeccably (read: flamboyantly) dressed and a well known motor mouth had put himself through two days of such abject torture. However, luckily, with the official support of the NSW/ACT VGen (World Vision’s Youth Movement), he made it through to the other side and in the process has so far raised an extremely impressive $895 dollars! He’s taking donations until the end of the month so jump onto the Facebook event below, or his 40 Hour Famine profile page, and help him reach his $1000 target!

The policy focuses on recommendations that aim to change young people’s perceptions towards volunteering and reinforce the need to participate within the local community.
“We need to create long term cultural change that reinforces the need to participate within your community and recognise that the benefits of volunteering go well beyond the superficial,” Queensland Policy Manager, Alexander McLaren said.
“We need young people to know that volunteering is not “uncool,” that it’s not simply about fundraising or working in a soup kitchen and, that the skills and knowledge you gain from volunteering while you’re young will stay with you for life.”
The policy has focused on the University demographic, as they have enormous social capital to contribute and they stand to gain a lot from increased rates of participation.
“We think the notion of Gen Y being the lazy and apathetic is wrong. Research suggests that many young people simply need an opportunity to volunteer or are waiting for an opportunity that appeals to them,” Mr. McLaren said.
“We need to look at the ways in which people volunteer and how we can utilise a generation of young people that want to give back to their community.”

Left Right Think Tank is recommending that the Australian Federal Government publicly encourage and identify methods to incentivise the embedding of volunteering programs in our communities, and that the private and not for profit sectors should foster partnerships with a view to improve skill development opportunities for volunteering.

Download the Policy Paper

Download the Policy Scan

For all the criticism we launch at Canberra, one couldn’t expect much — drab buildings and a sulky atmosphere is the image portrayed. We found Canberra to be a refreshing experience, immersing ourselves in the city in the little time we had. From the National Capital Exhibition to the High Court, the National Museum, Old Parliament House and of course Parliament House proper. It was odd, but a strange feeling of patriotism emerged, something it seems isn’t felt as much in our other major cities. Kindly referred to as the “dumping ground for the Federal Government”, Canberra has much more to offer than meets the eye.

The trip involved so many meetings we hardly had time to eat. Of course, the nature of a sitting week means some people have more time than others. Further, meetings are often cut short or cancelled due to the constantly distracting “ringing of the bells” (watching our leaders scrambling through the Parliamentary corridors is an amusing experience). Having said this, here is a select list of those we met with:

• Tanya Plibersek (Minister for Human Services and Social Inclusion)
• Rebecca Barton, adviser to Kevin Rudd (Minister for Foreign Affairs)
• Jessica Loefstedt, adviser to Anthony Albanese (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport; Leader of the House)
• Warren Truss (Leader of the Nationals; Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport)
• 
Luke Hartsuyker (Shadow Minister for Regional Communications, Youth and Sport; Deputy Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives)
• Wyatt Roy (youngest MP)
• Sam Riordon, adviser to Julie Bishop (Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade)

Through our meetings though we were enlightened to a number of insights from the inside. We heard numerous times that most of what happens at parliament house is not contentious and wholly agreed upon by both parties. Ministers and Shadow Ministers explained that unfortunately the media only portrayed the adversarial side of politics, but that they feel most of their work is constructive and making a difference for good.

We were well received by all the MPs we met with, and heard how both sides of government are keen to use Left Right as a bridge through which they can reach young Australians from all walks of life. We would agree and would welcome your thoughts, opinions and ideas — we want to act as a voice for young Australians, and we want you to join us in participating in creating a future we can all be proud of.

We’re making a serious impact on our politicians regarding what they think about young people and our views, and this was reinforced by all the well wishes we received on our most recent escapade to Canberra!

We need to secure other sources of income to supplement our rich resource base. We also want to ensure Australia’s scientists, engineers and other innovators are provided viable incentives to stay here, rather than being pushed out of our country.

The policy focuses on recommendations that aim to change young people’s perceptions towards volunteering and reinforce the need to participate within the local community.
“We need to create long term cultural change that reinforces the need to participate within your community and recognise that the benefits of volunteering go well beyond the superficial,” Queensland Policy Manager, Alexander McLaren said.
“We need young people to know that volunteering is not “uncool,” that it’s not simply about fundraising or working in a soup kitchen and, that the skills and knowledge you gain from volunteering while you’re young will stay with you for life.”
The policy has focused on the University demographic, as they have enormous social capital to contribute and they stand to gain a lot from increased rates of participation.
“We think the notion of Gen Y being the lazy and apathetic is wrong. Research suggests that many young people simply need an opportunity to volunteer or are waiting for an opportunity that appeals to them,” Mr. McLaren said.
“We need to look at the ways in which people volunteer and how we can utilise a generation of young people that want to give back to their community.”

Left Right Think Tank is recommending that the Australian Federal Government publicly encourage and identify methods to incentivise the embedding of volunteering programs in our communities, and that the private and not for profit sectors should foster partnerships with a view to improve skill development opportunities for volunteering.

Left Right Think Tank is Australia’s first independent, nonpartisan, youth led think tank.
For more information on the policy itself, please contact a.mclaren@leftright.org.au.

The policy scan can be accessed here.
The policy paper can be accessed here.

• Summaries of policy topics we’re currently working on;
• Short profiles of some of the other projects we’re undertaking (with the view to further provide meaningful platforms for young people to express their ideas and opinions);
• A comment from our CEO Will Emmett;
• A section on what’s going on in our social media sphere; and
• A few ‘resources’ to equip you with tools to help facilitate your active and effective involvement in public policy.

Make sure you click here to check it out, and forward it to anyone who might be interested. If you’re not already subscribed please click here to do so.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Volunteer, celebrating and highlighting the importance of volunteers throughout the world. Given recent events in Brisbane and abroad, we believe it is timely to consider the incentives and barriers to youth participation in the volunteering sector.

Through extensive research and consultation with key stakeholders in the sector, Left Right has written the policy paper with the aim of changing attitudes and perceptions towards volunteering. Those who start volunteering at a young age often continue their contribution for many years and it’s with this resolve that the policy paper looks to increase the youth base of volunteering and as such, create a permanent increase in the rate of volunteering.

Left Right has identified numerous areas that required improvement in order to increase the level of participation in volunteering activities.  The major area can best be described as the barrier that discourages young people from getting involved. Gen Y is often typecast as lazy and apathetic, however this is far from true.  While time poor and often juggling multiple academic and employment commitments, Gen Y is still motivated to offer assistance.

So come along to our launch as we defy the typical Gen Y stereotype and launch our recommendations for youth volunteering, and why it is such an important part of our society.

Date: Thursday 2 June, 2011
Time: 5pm for a 5.15pm start
Venue: Visible Ink — 5 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley

RSVP: l.ash@leftright.org.au

For more information regarding the policy itself, please contact our Policy Manager, Alexander McLaren, at a.mclaren@leftright.org.au

We look forward to sharing this exciting event with you as we launch our newest policy.