Australia
VMC Appoints 20 Exceptional Young Leaders to the Multicultural Youth Network: The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) has announced the appointment of 20 outstanding young leaders to its Multicultural Youth Network (MYN) for 2026, marking a significant step toward strengthening youth representation across the state’s diverse communities.
Selected through a comprehensive statewide recruitment process, the newly appointed members represent a wide range of multicultural and multifaith communities from both metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria. The network will play a crucial advisory role by providing insights and recommendations to the VMC and the Victorian Government on issues affecting multicultural youth.
The MYN members will focus on key priorities including mental health, education, employment, racism, discrimination, and community representation. By sharing their lived experiences and perspectives, the group aims to help shape policies and initiatives that address the challenges and opportunities facing young people from diverse backgrounds.
Welcoming the new cohort, VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen said she was proud to see a new generation of leaders stepping forward.
“I am proud to welcome 20 new and exceptional young leaders to the Multicultural Youth Network for 2026. The lived experience of these members will help the VMC to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing young people from multicultural and multifaith communities,” she said.
The new term officially began on March 4, when members met for the first time to discuss their priorities and agenda for the year ahead. The network will be chaired by VMC Commissioner Dr Judy Tang, who will guide the group’s engagement with community programs and government initiatives.
One of the first major events MYN members will support is Cultural Diversity Week, scheduled from March 21 to March 29, 2026. During the statewide celebration, members will help amplify youth voices by participating in campaign activities, community outreach, and public events aimed at promoting multiculturalism and social inclusion.
Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Multicultural Affairs in Victoria, also congratulated the newly appointed members.
“I warmly welcome and congratulate the newly appointed members of the Multicultural Youth Network. Their insights and perspectives will play a vital role in ensuring multicultural young people are heard and represented in the conversations that shape the future of Victoria,” she said.
Later in the year, the network will also contribute to the Multicultural Film Festival in June 2026, helping to promote the festival within their communities and support emerging multicultural storytellers from across Victoria.
The Multicultural Youth Network serves as an important platform for young leaders to connect, collaborate, and influence programs that strengthen social cohesion. Through its initiatives, the network continues to reinforce the relationship between diverse communities and the Victorian Government.
Further details about each of the newly appointed MYN members will be shared in the coming weeks on the official channels of the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
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