Exchange online - NSW Commission for Children and Young People

Welcome to online edition of Exchange - the Commission's quarterly newsletter. Below is the latest edition - enjoy!

Exchange Winter 2008

So long and farewell
After eight years and producing countless articles, this will be the final edition of Exchange as a hard copy quarterly publication for the Commission.

Kids clear about built environments
Ask the Children: Children and young people speak about the built environment is based on consultations with more than 100 children and young people aged 4-18 years from schools, youth advisory councils, playgroups, and a disability service.

Commission website wins international youth award
The Commission’s website kids.nsw.gov.au has won an Outstanding Achievement award for a Youth site in the international Interactive Media Awards just announced.

Kids' online feedback
Recent online feedback to, and from, kids.

An international exchange of ideas
The Commission has recently been contributing to the international exchange of ideas and perspectives about different ways of promoting children and young people’s well-being. During the last few months the Commission has hosted a number of visitors from other Commonwealth nations and the Commissioner has been invited to their countries to share and discuss our experiences.

Anyone can be an active voice for kids... including kids!
At any given time there are a range of opportunities where public comment and opinion is sought by those in the community who are making decisions about issues affecting the lives of children and young people.

A Vision for Australia's future
One hundred young people have formulated their own ‘national vision’ in a special communiqué that was used to help shape ideas and discussions for Australia’s future.

A system to protect children
The Special Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW has been advised that to protect children from abuse and neglect a broader approach must be used that is based on worldwide understanding and experience in the field of child well-being.

Fatal assault of kids less common than we think
A Child Death Review Team report tabled recently in NSW Parliament shows that in the ten years between 1996 to 2005, child deaths from fatal assault were rare (1.4 per cent of all child deaths) and that when it did occur, the overwhelming majority (95.8%) of the fatal injuries were known to be inflicted by parents, spouses, domestic partners or other family members.

Is the world fit for kids yet?
Children and young people who contributed to a Commission national project have received a special report containing their views on what they think about living in Australia, what makes it good or not so good and what could be done to make their lives better.