Sharing insights from innovative refugee youth project

Professor Peter Shergold was keynote speaker and launched the Navigating Resettlement Project Research Report in Blacktown on Wednesday 25^th July 2018.

SydWest Multicultural Services is pleased to advise that the research report, prepared by Western Sydney University on the Navigating Resettlement youth project, was launched at a special event being held at SydWest’s Blacktown offices.

The Navigating Resettlement project was an innovative engagement between settlement services sector and the academic sector, which introduced new ways of collaborating.

Navigating Resettlement Matched Mentoring and Creative Media Design with Refugee and Migrant Youth in Transition Greater Western Sydney Research & Evaluation Report will provide insightful recommendations for other community services and government, as they consider best approaches to supporting youth aspirations and creativity moving forward.

On the program for the launch event also was the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Ray Williams MP and young people from the Navigating Resettlement project, who shared their experiences and how the project has impacted their lives.

I feel that this pilot project is a significant step towards recognising the need to invest in our future leaders. We can facilitate successful settlement by providing safe spaces where refugee and migrant youth feel comfortable tapping into their dreams, are allowed to believe in themselves, and feel confident enough to express themselves in a variety of ways while being mentored and inspired by the power of education, said Elfa Moraitakis, CEO at SydWest Multicultural Services.

SydWest is pleased to share the findings and eight key recommendations from our Navigating Resettlement pilot project – the project continues to inform much of the youth-focused work that we do, know that a multi-dimensional approach is required to be effective in driving youth leadership and career aspirations, she concluded.

SydWest hopes this research report will inform the design of future programs that target newly arrived youth from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

The event is a great opportunity to hear and see what has been happening in the SydWest-Blacktown Youth space, as well as network with key stakeholders in the region.

For further information on SydWest’s Youth Services and for your copy of the Navigating Resettlement Matched Mentoring and Creative Media Design with Refugee and Migrant Youth in Transition Greater Western Sydney Research & Evaluation Report, visit http://www.sydwestms.org.au/services/youth-services