Young people are changing the way they engage with politics and Politics is going to have to change as a consequence. This is the central finding of 'Young People Imagining a New Democracy', an 18-month project led by the Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney and generously supported by the Foundation for Young Australians. The third and final report of that project has been publicly released and is available for download here.

The discussion paper "Putting the Politics back into politics: Young people and democracy in Australia" articulates a clear message for our political leaders and policy makers from young Australians: stop considering us 'citizens-in-waiting'; give us the chance to participate in genuine political decision-making; and don't just listen to what we have to say, but show us that you've heard it.

'Young People Imagining a New Democracy' is a collaborative project between the Whitlam Institute and the UWS Office of University Engagement, which has been made possible with the generous support of the Foundation for Young Australians.

The project has comprised of 18 months of literature reviews, research, open forums and ten focus groups involving 52 young people from across NSW, including the inner-city and western suburbs of Sydney and regional areas including the Central Coast and Riverina Districts.

The final discussion paper has been written by UWS researcher Dr James Arvanitakis and PhD candidate Siobhan Marren.

For more information about previous stages of the project, please click here.

The Global Financial Crisis may loom large as the defining issue of 2009, but the winning entries from the Whitlam Institute's 'What Matters?' competition reveal that young people are far more concerned with equality, freedom of speech, strong and supportive relationships, and a healthy body as well as a healthy environment.

Each year, the Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney holds its 'What Matters?' essay competition, inviting school students in years 5-12 to submit a 400-600 word opinion piece on the issues in society that are important to them.

The 2009 competition, proudly sponsored by Officeworks, attracted a record total of 1114 entries from students from across NSW and the ACT, on a diverse range of topics including obesity, animal cruelty, family relationships, bullying, world poverty, social responsibility, global warming, and the importance and power of the inquiring mind.

The overall winner will be announced on Thursday, June 4 2009, at a special awards ceremony at the UWS Parramatta campus, attended by former Prime Minister, The Hon. Gough Whitlam, AC QC.

DOWNLOAD THE FINALISTS ENTRIES HERE

The category winners are:
Year 5/6, Jessica Black, Beverly Hills North Public School
Year 7/8, Jonathan Hopkins, Sydney Technical High School
Year 9/10, Kate Jordan, Loreto Kirribilli
Year 11/12, Kar Leng Chiu, Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay

The category runners-up are:
Year 5/6, Amy Robinson, South West Rocks Public School
Year 7/8, Sophie Walter, Masada College
Year 9/10, Sarah Fitzgerald, Loreto Kirribilli
Year 11/12, Hayley Lincoln, Lake Illawarra High School