The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) has officially launched the biennial Growing Up in Queensland study. Children and young people from across the state are being encouraged to step up, speak out and make their voices heard.
The lives of children and young people have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in times of difficulty the voices of children and young people can often be the least heard. Giving our young people an opportunity to express their hopes, dreams and worries, so we hear and understand their experiences as they grow up in Queensland, is crucial. It highlights their needs, and amplifies their voices to our government, policy and decision makers, and business leaders.
Step Up Speak Out – Why kids should have their say
The QFCC’s Principal Commissioner Cheryl Vardon believes that while adults are keeping our community safe, it is important we make sure our children and young people are still heard. “By listening and understanding the goals, ideas and worries of children and young people, leaders and decision makers can influence meaningful and sustained change,” Ms Vardon said. “Using the responses from young Queenslanders we can start to make decisions about the future and map out better ways to support them.”
So, through surveys, postcards and art activities, Growing Up in Queensland seeks to give children and young people the chance to step up and speak out. The insights we gather will be compared to what we heard in 2018, asking questions about:
- Children and young people’s hopes and dreams
- What their community is like
- The big issues, and
- How they respond to stressful situations
With changes to how we live our lives during COVID-19, all Growing Up in Queensland activities are available online so children and young people have greater access to having their say.
The art activity, for children aged four to seven years, is just one of the activities available for young people to complete. Postcards and surveys are also available for young people aged between eight and 18 years.
To get involved, or to complete any of the activities, please visit:
