By Casey Neill
Dandenong’s Aref Ramazani aims to inspire.
The 23-year-old Hazara man sought asylum in Australia in 2009. He couldn’t speak a word of English.
“After six months in language school, I started high school,” he said.
“It was around halfway through Year 12 when I started working with my community as a photographer.
“I believe art has no boundaries, we can express emotions and explain things that can’t be described with words through pictures and moving images.”
Aref spoke out about his settlement experience and the challenges he faced during National Youth Week to inspire service providers, decision-makers and community members to initiate positive changes in the broader community.
“I would like to change the view some Australians have that migrants and refugees are a threat to Australia,” he said.
“I do it by speaking in communities, schools and universities and by sharing my experience and telling them about my culture and country.”
Aref works with the not-for-profit Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) which supports young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to build better lives in Australia.
He’s also a Shout Out speaker.
The agency trains young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to present their stories and experiences to audiences that might not usually have the chance to hear them.
“I love how multicultural Australia is, and the fact that everyone has equal rights. I love being able to call Australia home, too,” he said.
Aref is studying his final year of a Bachelor in Communications in media from RMIT university, has been a photographer with Australia’s oldest running Farsi magazine, Arman, and has appeared on SBS and on ABC News Radio.
Create Your Future was the theme for National Youth Week, which ran from 27 March to 9 April and was for 12 to 25-year-olds.
Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti said tackling youth unemployment and disengagement in the municipality was a key priority.
“Increasing youth employment and engagement requires a whole of community response,” he said.
“Youth services providers, young people, the council and local business all have a role to play in improving outcomes for young people in our community.”
During Youth Week the council launched the Create Your Future Calendar, which will offer young people activities to support their learning and career goals.
