In Victoria, Australia, a jury of randomly selected young people aged 18-25 were mandated with the task of considering how the state can support young adults in the transition from study to full time work.
Problems and Purpose
The Staying on Track Youth Jury was convened by VicHealth in 2018 to address the challenge of young adults finding stable work. Australian research has shown that finding stable work after finishing education is a major challenge for young Victorians and Australians and can impact mental health and family relationships. In addition, finding a stable job now takes considerably longer than it did for previous generations [1].
The aim of the jury was to engage a group of Victorians aged 18-25 to consider the issue in-depth and provide a range of ‘asks’ to VicHealth for how the state can support young people on the journey from education into work [2].
Background History and Context
VicHealth is a health promotion foundation founded in 1987 as part of the anti-tobacco campaign. It was established by the Victorian government as a statutory authority and played an important role in taxing tobacco and helping reduce smoking in the state. They conduct research into public health issues including mental health, race discrimination, violence against women and healthy eating.
In 2015, VicHealth convened a citizens’ jury on obesity which also involved asking participants to develop a number of ‘Asks’. This is slightly different to some citizens’ juries where participants are asked to respond to a specific policy proposal.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The youth jury was convened by VicHealth, a statutory authority in Victoria. It was designed and facilitated by MosaicLab. A number of other youth support organisations supported the process [3].
Participant Recruitment and Selection
The youth jury engaged 54 young adults aged 18-25 from around the state who were emailed a welcome invite. The group included a variety of nationalities and languages spoken at home, and different levels of education and work situations [4]. It is not clear from the information available exactly how the participants were recruited or whether the sample was random or stratified.
Methods and Tools Used
The jury followed a citizens’ jury model, although differed in that the group met over three consecutive days, whilst juries more often meet several times over a longer period. In addition, it is not known whether the process utilized sortition for recruiting participants.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The jury met over three consecutive days. On the first day, facilitators engaged the group with the idea of critical thinking skills. The jury also heard from invited speakers and reviewed submissions from relevant organisations.
The second day saw the group drafting and refining some ideas and themes. On the final day, ideas were refined into final ‘Asks’ and were decided on by super-majority before being presented as a final report to VicHealth.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
A final report of the process, including the jury’s 11 Asks, was launched in October 2018. VicHealth reports that the jury’s work will be used ‘promote further discussion’ on the issue. It is not clear whether or how the recommendations will result in concrete changes [5].
The Participants' Report and 11 Asks have influenced a number of initiatives. In October 2018, the Participants Report was launched to the Bright Futures Collaboration - over 40 organisations "representing philanthropy, youth and community agencies and industry bodies" with a focus on mental health. These organisations used the report for existing initiatives and as a foundation for new initiatives [5].
In July 2019, VicHealth's submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System included the Participants' Report and 11 Asks. The Royal Commission's interim report subsequently included the impacts on young people in its major themes [5].
The 11 Asks were also used in developing a resource for employers to check-in on their young workers to best support them in their move to employment [5].
Analysis and Lessons Learned
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See Also
Victoria's Citizens' Jury on Obesity
References
[1] Staying on Track Youth Jury (2018). Staying on Track: The Youth Deliberative Forum Partipants' Report [pdf]. Available at: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/-/media/ResourceCentre/PublicationsandResources/Mental-health/Staying-on-track-participants-report.PDF?la=en&hash=3D01A20840C36E9550CCD91ABF1393BD3B4FB2D0
[2] VicHealth (2018). Staying on Track. Available at: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/programs-and-projects/staying-on-track
[3] Staying on Track Youth Jury (2018). Staying on Track: The Youth Deliberative Forum Partipants' Report [pdf]. Available at: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/-/media/ResourceCentre/PublicationsandResources/Mental-health/Staying-on-track-participants-report.PDF?la=en&hash=3D01A20840C36E9550CCD91ABF1393BD3B4FB2D0
[4] Ibid, p. 8
[5] VicHealth (2018). Staying on Track. Available at: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/programs-and-projects/staying-on-track
External Links
https://www.mosaiclab.com.au/current-projects
https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/programs-and-projects/staying-on-track