Call for politicians to take a position on youth ministry

Call for politicians to take a position on youth ministry People who work with youth are calling on political leaders to support a strong stand-alone Ministry of Youth.

Research released today shows that 95% of people that work with young people want a strong Ministry of Youth Development.

New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) executive officer Sarah Helm said they had commissioned the survey out of concern regarding political commitment to the Ministry.

"We keep hearing rumours that our youth ministry is going to be collapsed."

Yet there was clear support from within the multi-disciplinary youth sector for a more focussed, dedicated Ministry of Youth.

"We want political leaders to come forward and make it publicly known that they will not only support a continued Ministry of Youth, but a strengthened stand-alone Ministry that is committed to promoting the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa," she said.

"Our sector knows that a dedicated Ministry of Youth is essential in order for government to make effective policy to address youth issues."

Most survey respondents (58%) also thought the Ministry needed to be a stand-alone government department.

"The survey showed that people who work with youth perceive that the Ministry needs to stand-alone to be more effective."

"It is being swamped in the much bigger Ministry of Social Development," she said.

Government policy on youth sits across many departments ­ education, health, justice, TPK, Pacific, housing - not just social development, she said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media