SYDNEY, 12 February, 2025: A new report reveals that while young people understand the importance of democracy and government, they express a growing dissatisfaction with the way these institutions respond to modern challenges and serve their communities.

This What Matters to Young Australians Through Turbulent Times? Insights From The 2019-2023 What Matters? Writing Competition report was commissioned by the Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University with the Young & Resilient Research Centre.

It draws on the Whitlam Institute’s What Matters? Writing Competition and a collection of entries, spanning five years from 2019 to 2023, alongside 14 new interviews with past competition finalists.

Director of the Whitlam Institute, Professor John Juriansz, said: “Since 2004, the Whitlam Institute’s What Matters? Writing Competition has given over 50,000 young Australians a unique platform to express their thoughts, concerns, and hopes.”

Social justice issues and modern challenges like climate change, the rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence, and geo-political conflicts were common concerns from 2019 to 2023.

Director of Research and Policy at the Whitlam Institute, Professor Azadeh Dastyari, said: “Young people are aware of the changes happening around them, but their voices are often not integrated into the decisions and futures that directly impact them. This exclusion from important conversations means they are left out of shaping the very world they will inherit.”

Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre, Professor Philippa Collin, said of the report: "This research shows that young people are plugged into the key issues in their community and of our time - and they're a valuable source of renewal for community and democracy in Australia - if we'd only listen and engage meaningfully with them."

The report has identified ten recommendations to revitalise and empower youth civic engagement:

1. That political parties, politicians, governments, policy makers and educators recognise the civic and political rights of young people in ways that expand democracy;
2. Adopt an intergenerational approach to governance and policy making;
3. Revamp civics education;
4. Encourage decisive action on climate change and environmental stewardship;
5. Support initiatives that promote social cohesion and conflict resolution;
6. Address inequality and discrimination;
7. Support mental health and tackle the causes of the causes of distress;
8. Address the potential harms and help maximise the benefits of digital technologies and the media;
9. Strengthen and support national and global youth networks including youth participation in peacebuilding; and
10. Focus strategies for building back trust in institutions.

To download the What Matters To Young Australians Through Turbulent Times? Insights From The 2019-2023 What Matters? Writing Competition Report click here.