Please find a number of research reports and documents pertaining to this topic area below.  If you know of another report or document you think should be housed in our research library please contact the BGK LLEN.

Title: The civic and political significance of online participatory cultures among youth transitioning to adulthood
Author: Jessica Timpany Fazeel et.al
Source: Youth and Participatory Politics
Release Date: 2011
Description: Most existing scholarship that measures the impact of the Internet on civic or political engagement focuses on political uses of new media. Drawing on two large panel studies, the authors find that youth engagement in nonpolitical online participatory cultures may serve as a gateway to participation in important aspects of civic and political life, including volunteering, community problem-solving, protest activities, and political voice.
Report link: The civic and political significance of online participatory cultures among youth transitioning to adulthood

Title: Tomorrow's Leaders for Sustainability (TLfS) Wimmera Forum Evaluation
Author: Dr Brian Sharpley
Source: TLfS
Release Date: 2010
Description: This report documents the findings of an evaluation of two aspects of the Tomorrow's Leaders for Sustainability (TLfS) program implemented in the Wimmera region of Victoria: a student forum held in 2009 and a learning network model in local schools. The forum was conducted in late 2009 with the aim of bringing together a diverse group of students to discuss, debate and negotiate positions on sustainability within the context of climate change and its impact on rural and urban communities.
Report download: Tomorrow's Leaders for Sustainability (TLfS) Wimmera Forum Evaluation

Title: National Youth Strategy
Source: Australian Government - Youth
Release Date: 2010
Description: This Strategy is part of the Australian Government's ongoing process of giving young people (12 – 24 years) a better deal and a voice in decisions that affect them. It will be used as a guide for future Government action to encourage and help young people take charge of their own lives.  At the heart of the Strategy is a vision for all young people to grow up safe, healthy, happy and resilient. Developed with young Australians, the Strategy describes what it's like to be young in Australia today and highlights eight priority areas for Government action now and into the future.
Report link: National Youth Strategy

Title: VicSRC Cluster Kit
Author: Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC)
Release Date: 2009
Description: The VicSRC Cluster Kit provides all the information and advice you need to set up an SRC Cluster group in your local region.Report link: VicSRC Cluster Kit.
Report link: VicSRC Cluster Kit 

Title: VicSRC Environmental Resource Kit
Author: Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC)
Release Date: 2009
Description: VicSRC often hears students say that they want their schools to be more environmentally friendly and that they want to be part of making the necessary changes. This, by no means exhaustive, guide for students and teachers provides a brief introduction to some of the best services VicSRC has found.
Report link: VicSRC Environmental Resource Kit

Title: Rewriting the Rules for Youth Participation – inclusion and diversity in government and community decision making
Author: Johanna Bell et.al
Source: National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (DEEWR)
Release Date: 2008
Description: The National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS) has commissioned this research to provide government and community organisations with a framework for youth participation approaches that facilitate the involvement of young people from a range of backgrounds.
Report download: Rewriting the Rules for Youth Participation – inclusion and diversity in government and community decision making

Title: Taking Young People Seriously (Consulting Young People about their Ideas and Opinions - Handbook for Organisations Working with Young People)
Source: Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic)
Release Date: 2004
Description: The Taking Young People Seriously handbooks are a series of resources exploring young people's participation in their communities. They were developed by the Youth Affairs Council and the Office for Youth, Department for Victorian Communities as the product of a partnership project called Participation in Practice.
Report download: Taking Young People Seriously