[Portions reproduced from public address, received with gratitude]
Educating and supporting young people from diverse refugee and migrant backgrounds on self-acceptance, sexual and reproductive health issues.
A warm and welcoming team and audience assembled to hear about the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health and its Youth Ambassador program. In between formalities, the audience were invited to mingle and get to know each other.
Besides enticing and delicious food, the entertainment included a charismatic MC encouraging us to mingle. A spoken-word poet who used song fragments with a voice, timbre and message to warm the coldest hearts. And a songstress who sang from the heart with a worldliness usually beyond someone of her years.
The occasion was to launch the most recent outcome, an exciting ZINE created by the current Youth Ambassadors.
This Zine was created by young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds and explores identity, sexual and reproductive health. Key members were present for a panel discussion where they revealed more about their journeys from personal difficulties to positive role modelling and peer support. Not always an easy task when the hormones kick-start in unexpected directions and language, questions and answers may be uncommon or taboo.
For anyone feeling disconnected from their family or community and wishing to explore self and others safely, know their are many pathways to discovering the secrets to getting up, on and along. The Ambassadors have compiled a great Zine for youth of all ages, culture and background. Overcoming fears, taboos and superstition, the language presents the current medical-based facts and laws, is direct, clear and no-nonsense while keeping a sense of humour.
When asked what advice they would give their younger selves, the panel encouraged their younger selves to:
-- not delay, know and reach out to trustable sources
-- get involved with community building activity
-- know and use things like this Zine and the Internet.
On this occasion: Audience member, GEIFN and Buddhist Council of Victoria representive were guests of North Richmond Community Health, 23 Lennox Street Richmond. Thankyou for having us at your place, received with gratitude.
MORE
Rebecca Reeves, Community Projects Officer
Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health
23 Lennox Street, Richmond VIC 3121
Website www.ceh.org.au
Tel: (03) 9418 9920
For a list of downloadable documents regarding improving general and sexual health and well being for migrants, visit
CEH acknowledges the Wurundjeri people, the traditional owners of the land on which CEH works.
