Media Release from the United Nations Youth Association. 

The Federal Government has spent $55 million on World Youth Day in Sydney but refuses to invest in youth events for young Australians.  "This $55 million, in addition to the NSW Government's $40 million contribution, dwarfs the amount that any Australian government spends on programmes and organisations that are actually run by Australian young people for Australian young people," said President of the United Nations Youth Association (UNYA), Alex Rafalowicz.

Each year youth-run organisations such as UNYA, the Oaktree Foundation, and Vibewire run several major programmes and events for Australian young people yet they receive little or no funding from the Government.

By refusing to fund these organisations, the Government limits opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds, especially rural and regional Australia, to participate in their communities and make their voices heard.

For example, Australia's Youth Representatives to the United Nations form part of the official Australian Delegation to New York, yet they receive no funding to consult with Australia's youth in preparation for representing them on the world stage, and no funding is made available to UNYA to administer the selection process on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

While Catholic World Youth Day will receive $95 million in total, a MySpace survey revealed 77 percent of respondents felt the Catholic Church was "out of touch" with young people. In comparison, the Government's proposed new youth consultative body, the Australian Youth Forum, will receive just $2 million a year.

"Young people need more than text messages from the Pope to be able to participate. They need support for the organisations giving them the chance to build their communities," said Mr Rafalowicz.

"Australian youth organisations do an incredible job. They deserve ongoing support from their Government."

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