COVID crisis: Our young people's voices need to be heard
UNITED: Young people at YACVic believe that their voices need to be heard as part of the COVID-19 recovery. Picture: SUPPLIED
COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on young people, yet young people's voices and ideas have not been heard on the solutions that affect us.
As an international student, COVID-19 has had a unique effect on me. I have had to adjust to huge changes in a short period of time. My study is now online, work opportunities are bleak and my future is definitely uncertain. Like many others, I could not go to authorities for support, and to add insult to injury, we were initially told to leave by the federal government.
Having recently started my internship with Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic), I've also learned that young people have been the most significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite being at less risk of death from the virus. From trying to attend school remotely with unreliable internet connections, border closures, social isolation, increased risk of family violence, lack of privacy, loss of employment and so much more, young people have made enormous sacrifices across their lives.
On unemployment, a new report by the Foundation of Young Australians (FYA) recently revealed that 60 per cent of young people are quite concerned about future employment prospects and 53 per cent are not in current employment.
"The hospitality and retail industries, which are primarily occupied by young people, are hit the hardest by COVID-19. My work hours have been greatly reduced," says Dylan Bermingham, second-year Diploma of Community Services student based in Warrnambool.
The situation is exacerbated for international students like me. For those with employment, we are severely limited to only 20 hours a week and are exploited by employers. The lack of income support has led to 45 per cent of international students to skip meals to survive. These numbers are assumed to be higher for international students in regional Victoria as there are services and opportunities.
Another concern for young Australians is access to higher education, where 26 per cent doubt the completion of their studies in the next two years. This figure is more likely to increase with the federal government's proposed changes to the fees of certain degrees and the HELP/HECS scheme.
"I can see that the economy is suffering huge consequences, but why hit students up for it?" asks Dylan.
Many of my Australian friends have been dismayed at their future employment prospects, while also seeing that their degrees will suddenly increase in cost. Meanwhile, international students like myself will have to continue paying increasing tuition fees for a declining education quality and maintain a certain GPA as per their visa requirements.
FYA's study, which surveyed more than 1000 young people, also found that 60 per cent of young people agree that "politicians care more about businesses, corporations and older people than they do about younger generations". There is a high degree of frustrationwith the political process among young Australians, with almost 1 in 2 young people believing that "nothing I can do or say will change what happens on issues that I feel are important to me". "Our Prime Minister seems to disregard young people's voices and it is a testament to the hopelessness young people feel," adds Dylan.
The report found significant demand for more diversity and a greater presence of younger people in politics, with 63 per cent agreeing to the need for more women and people from diverse backgrounds in politics.
"We need as much diversity of opinion as possible and an open forum to discuss the current state of the world to find solutions that works for everybody," suggests Dylan.
But this can change. Young people should be at the forefront of COVID-19 recovery design and leadership. Right now, young people are the experts on the challenges they face, making their solutions valuable to the wider community.
In addition, I firmly believe that international students can be empowered to support Australia's recovery in multiple ways. We must continue to make Australia a preferred destination for international students like me to boost the economy. We will be able to actively participate and contribute to the economy in both metropolitan and regional Victoria.
Having more diverse cohorts of international students will also strengthen diplomatic efforts so Australia can lead on collective action to accelerate the broad termination of COVID-19.
As someone who came here for study, I always admired Australia's claims for political justice and fairness. Compared to my home country, it was inspiring and empowering to see young people having a say on their future. But COVID-19 has highlighted how powerless so many young people feel, and Australia needs to take young people's voices and rights seriously to successfully recover from this pandemic. Young people are experts in their own lives and can contribute meaningfully on the issues that affect their future.
Dylan concludes that: "Young people will be expected to pick up the pieces, so it is only fair and reasonable that we are given a voice and are heard."
Anhar Al-Shameri is a media and communications student interning with Youth Affairs Council Victoria, the peak body for young people and the youth sector.