Vision

Our vision is that all young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in NSW are connected, influential, and valued members of Australian society.

 

Mission

As the state-wide multicultural youth specialist organisation in NSW, we work to provide support and expertise to ensure young people from multicultural backgrounds are able to build the skills, knowledge and networks they need to be active citizens in Australian society.

What We Value

MYAN NSW’s ways of working:

We strongly believe that how we work is as important as what we do and that MYAN’s ways of working embodies our values.

Youth Participation

We facilitate opportunities for young people to exercise their right to fully participate in the decision-making processes that affect and shape their lives.

Collaboration

We work with young people as partners, in a way that honours their culture, experiences and heritage. We work with our sector to draw on the collective experience of practitioners and believe we are always stronger together.

Diversity in all its forms

We recognise that diversity is our strength and integral to our success.

Social justice

We pursue social justice by maintaining a focus on equity, inclusion and cultural accountability.

Challenging the status quo

We are always looking for new and better ways of working. We do this through valuing learning, reflective practice and taking risks.

What We Do

We work with multicultural young people and the sector that supports them.

We work with young people in a way that honours their culture, experiences and heritage. We currently focus on Youth Programs, Sector Capacity Building, and Influencing Policy and Practice. Through these streams we promote the needs and interests of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds and the sector by:

  • Settlement support to newly arrived young people
  • Leadership and skill building for young people from multicultural backgrounds
  • Supporting and resourcing the sector
  • Influencing public policy and decision makers
  • Developing policy papers and practice guides
  • Consulting with organisations to better develop their capacity to work with multicultural youth
  • Partnering with researchers

Young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds are connected to decision making processes, so they become empowered and influential active citizens in Australia”.

OUR TEAM

Alex Long: CEO

What makes you passionate about the area you work in? I love that I can contribute to a more just and compassionate world for young people. My work feels meaningful, brings me joy, and provides opportunities to learn and grow.

Vanessa Chavez: Capacity Building Manager

What makes you passionate about the area you work in? Knowing that our work is contributing in some way to improving the lives and opportunities for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Young people inject new energy and unique perspectives into our work.

Hannah Lai: Youth Programs Coordinator

Why do you like working with young people? I love working with young people because they are willing to give ideas a go and they come up with creative solutions. Sometimes, young people just need some encouragement, great peers and a few cheerleaders to get their ideas off the ground.

Abdallah Al Tibi: Multicultural Youth Worker

Why do you like working with young people? I love working with young people because not only are they the leaders of tomorrow, but they are leading change in the present moment. Young people have been the centre of positive change throughout history — a world of untapped potential that only requires the means to have their voices heard.

Izabella Antoniou: Codebreakers Project Officer

Why do you like working with young people? Young people have such a wealth of fresh ideas, under-utilised knowledge and the energy to back them up! Their passion and drive for improving their communities is inspiring.