The Commissioner for Children and Young People Leanne McLean launched Future Tasmania, a new digital magazine or “zine”, at the Launceston Conference Centre on Friday, September 25.
Future Tasmania, produced by the Commissioner’s CCYP Ambassadors, features young Tasmanians’ views on policy issues important to the – and is available online here.
“Despite the disruption of 2020, Tasmania’s children and young people are still concerned about big policy issues that affect their present and future,” Ms McLean said.
“The zine showcases the creative works and thoughts of CCYP Ambassadors from around Tasmania, focusing on three key areas they identified as being of particular concern to Tasmania’s future:
• Climate change and the environment
• Mental health
• Equality and diversity
“The zine also features cameos by some of Tasmania’s leading decision makers – including Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC, Governor of Tasmania and the Premier of Tasmania, the Honourable Peter Gutwein MP – and the magical flare of the artistic team at Big hART.”
Ms McLean said this year’s CCYP Ambassador Program includes 142 Tasmanians aged 9-17, who come from a diverse range of backgrounds and regions across the state, including King and the Furneaux Islands.
“Together, they helped shine a light on the views and experiences of Tasmania’s children and young people, which will inform all aspects of my office’s work, from submissions to strategy development.
“In a normal year, I’d get together in person with CCYP Ambassadors to hear what is going on in their lives and what issues concern them so that I can better advocate for all young Tasmanians.
“However, 2020 has been far from a normal year. The pandemic has meant that gathering the views and ideas of children and young people on what they want their future to be is more important than ever.
“While we have been unable to get together, we became more creative in working together through the creation of the online zine.”
Ms McLean said the Ambassadors worked together over a period of two months, using a variety of media including creative writing, video, sound and illustration to explore and express their views on these topics.
“The Ambassadors’ contributions are insightful, impassioned, informed, and moving. They also invite us to think more carefully about decisions that we make at a personal and policy level, to consider their impact on children and young people, as well as on our collective future.”
