By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Poets, rappers and musicians helped to write a positive narrative at the South Sudanese Youth Festival in Dandenong on 17 November.
It was brimming with live performances, talks, community awards and a Q&A from guests including from Victoria Police and the South Sudanese Community.
The event was the first organised in the South East by the South Sudanese Australian Youth United (SSAYU) group.
Its president Monica Deng said SSAYU was formed by young people three years ago to counteract the rise of ‘Apex Gang’ and ‘African gang’ issues in the media.
The aim was to “project positive stories to combat the negativity”.
The festival is also about learning about culture for young people of South Sudanese background born outside of the homeland.
“Many of us don’t have a lot of insight into the culture,” Ms Deng says.
Some of the entertainment included a basketball tournament, soccer and Auskick clinics and traditional dance.
