Young people want to be involved in natural disaster planning and recovery

By Georgia Tacey

May 31, 2023

Findings: New research shows that young people want to be involved during times of natural disaster preparation and recovery. Photo by Megan Fisher

Research from Victoria University in partnership with the Youth Affairs Council Victoria shows that young people want to be involved during times of natural disaster preparation and recovery, yet they have few opportunities to help or have their needs heard.

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Associate Professor Fiona MacDonald and YACVic colleagues drew on the experiences of young people in regional areas affected by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/20 in their study and found many felt overlooked in times of crisis.

Prof MacDonald said she had called for disaster decision-makers and strategies to change the narrative around young people and regard them as capable and constructive agents of change in their communities.

“When young people are included in disaster management, there are benefits for themselves, their peers, community and the environment,” she said.

“Yet as they increasingly seek opportunities to engage with issues that will impact them and their futures, they often find they are sidelined.”

In the study, young people reported that they heard adults talking to them instead of with them and not seeking their views on what they needed to rebuild their own resilience for future events.

Prof MacDonald recommended government, community organisations and educational institutions provide opportunities and training for young people to get involved across all levels of natural disaster planning and management.