The Ausyouth project has evolved through several phases since its inception. Ausyouth believes that youth development provides all young people with experiences and opportunities which enhance their capacity and which affirm them as contributors to the community and shapers of their own future. Youth development is a concept well advanced in various countries overseas. It is premised on the conviction that the personal growth and advancement of all young people in our society is too important to be left to chance. Ausyouth is convinced that youth development is a community issue.
Young people are an integral part of our community with a valuable contribution to make.
As a community, we must consciously assist young people to reach their potential by providing opportunities which enable them to develop the skills and competencies to support them not only through adolescence, but throughout adult life. This must go beyond giving them a sound educational grounding. A range of structured opportunities and broader relationships is needed to complement formal educational processes in promoting a healthy lifestyle, developing a sense of personal pride, responsibility and purpose, fostering positive social relationships, and consolidating the position of young people as members of the broader community. The focus is on developing the whole person, and the responsibility is that of the whole community. Both young people and their communities benefit from youth development.