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What does the Ministry of Youth Development do?
In 1988 Government recognised that young people had little influence in decision-making processes, despite being profoundly affected by social, economic and political conditions. As a result the Ministry of Youth Affairs was established.
A State Services Commission review of Youth Affairs in 2003 found that the Ministry had been performing well and had strengths in many areas but because of its size struggled to maintain and add value to cross-government relationships.
As a result on 1 October 2003 a new Ministry of Youth Development was created within the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) enabling it to take advantage of the administrative support and access the MSD regional networks.
MYD works in three areas:
- administers and funds youth development programmes
- promotes young people’s participation in decision making processes.
Resources
Ministry of Youth Development
The website contains a wealth of information on young people (12 to 24 years in age).
The publication 12 to 24: Young People in New Zealand (2003) contains general statistical information and commentary on the youth population under the following headings: Young People at Large, Education, Employment, Health, and Living Arrangements. It contains a link to the census data, for more detailed information.
Youth suicide prevention
As the lead agency for youth suicide prevention, MYD has statistical information on rates of youth suicide. This information is on the website (Youth Suicide Prevention page) with a link to the New Zealand Health Information Service which is responsible for collating and disseminating this information.
Youth Suicide Prevention Stocktake of Government Initiatives - 4 July 2003
A database of government initiatives that support the implementation of the National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy. Prepared by Youth Affairs on behalf of the Inter-Agency Committee on Youth Suicide Prevention (IACYSP).
Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa
The Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa (YSDA) provides a framework to support the policy analysis of the youth population. The YDSA is the common platform for all of the government’s youth related policies. The comprehensive literature review Building Strength (2002) can also be downloaded from this page.
Publications
A range of publications are published on the website to demonstrate the application of a youth perspective to selected policy issues. Recent publications include:
Effective Drug Education for Young People: A Literature Review & Analysis
A 2003 review of international and national literature on drug education for young people, families and communities.
Strengthening drug education in school communities
A quick reference tool for schools, handbook aimed at Year 7-13 students, published 2004.
UNCROC five-year work programme 2004-2008
United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCROC) five-year work programme for 2004-2008.
Young Males: Strengths-based and male-focused approaches
Literature review of research and best evidence, published 2004.
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