Solid Voices of Tomorrow join the QATSICPP Team at the
2023-2025 Breaking Cycles Flagship Forum
On Wednesday 12 October five (5) young people who participated in the Solid Voices of Tomorrow project joined the QATSICPP Team at the 2023-2025 Breaking Cycles Flagship Forum. Breaking Cycles is the second implementation phase of the Our Way Strategy, a 20-year approach to close the gap in life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and to eliminate the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care within a generation.
The Forum was attended by over 160 community members, young people and carers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector and peak organisations, Queensland First Children and Families Board, Family Matters Queensland Board and Leadership Group, QATSICPP, non-Indigenous peaks and sector, and government. Five (5) young representatives from Queensland Youth Leadership Program were also in attendance to lend their voices to the discussion.
Facilitated by Kristal Kinsela Consulting Pty Ltd (with support from DCYJMA and QATSICPP), forum attendees were invited to share practical solutions-based actions, to reduce disproportionate representation of First Nations children and families in the child protection system, including what success would look like and how to measure progress and impact.
Preparing to share
In the leadup to the forum, the young people gathered at the QATSICPP office in Woolloongabba for lunch, then took a stroll to the Kangaroo Point basketball courts for a game before returning for a chill out and paint session.
A crucial part of out Team’s efforts is supporting young people’s development and building their confidence to use their voice.
At the forum, the young people were confident, expressive and honest in articulating their needs as well as challenging the adults to hold themselves accountable to young people. Check out some of their thoughts about the experience.
As a young adult I am still learning and honestly from being around Sheree, Lucas, Reno and Justine [from the QATSICPP Team]. Tho (sic) it was only a short amount of time spent with you all I will forever and always carry what you mob have done with me.
Growing up didn’t have support and this made me feel supported.
When I was on panel, people took notes of what I said and that made me proud.
Was good to talk. Loved “young people word cloud”, made me feel good.
Feel like it’s going somewhere and Dad would be proud
As well as participating in panel and table discussions, three of the Torres Strait Islander young people developed and participated in silent performance addressing the themes of connection, disconnection and culture.
The QATSICPP Team also heard from lots of community members who said they loved the forum, found it inspiring, learnt lots and that their contribution was valued. Importantly, community members told the Team they felt cared for and were really grateful for QATSICPP’s effort to get them along to participate.
“I thought the day went really well. There was great energy in the room and lots of good conversation. We look forward to seeing the write up and shaping up a plan that will support us all to deliver on creating positive futures for our children.” said Garth Morgan, QATSICPP CEO.
The next step is for the QATSICPP team to work in partnership with the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs to develop the Breaking Cycles 2023-2025 Action Plan to guide the next stage of the Our Way journey.
