17 November 2009
For immediate release
MEDIA RELEASE
‘ONE DAY YOU WILL BE HEARD, ONE DAY YOU WILL BE BELIEVED, ONE DAY YOU
WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED’
‘One day you will be heard, one day you will be believed, one day you will be acknowledged,’
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stated as part of his apology to the country’s Forgotten Australians
at Parliament House yesterday.
Young people from across the Asia Pacific region will be given the opportunity to be heard at
the Asia Pacific Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (APCCAN 2009). A group of 18 to 25
year olds who are present at the conference are using innovative technology to communicate
with their peers right across the region. They are using laptops, digital cameras and video to
monitor discussions and record presentations from the conference. The conference is taking
place 15 to 18 November at the Perth Conference Centre.
The views of these young people will be presented as a short documentary to delegates as part
of the closing ceremony taking place at 1pm on Wednesday 18 November. The group will also
have the opportunity to ask the first question of every one of the five keynote speakers.
During the conference the young people will upload photos, information and stories to face book
where other young people will have the opportunity to participate in online discussions. The
discussions will focus on a range of topics including their responses to the Prime Minister’s
speech and how they can implement changes in their own community to make children and
young people feel safe.
The twenty young people were selected from throughout the Asia Pacific region because they
experienced abuse first hand, are active in prevention child abuse within their communities or
are working or studying in the field of child abuse and prevention.
Kristian Goodacre, Co-Chair of the Young Participants Program commented, ‘At previous
conferences the young people’s program ran as a fringe event to the regular program. At this
conference we wanted young people’s ideas and opinions on the prevention of child abuse to
be heard. I agree with Kevin Rudd that young people’s views matter and that their opinions
should form part of the decision making process.’
He went on to say, ‘I am particularly excited about the interest we have already generated on-
line throughout the global community. Our aim is to create awareness and change in people’s
behavior not just during the four days of the conference but over the long term.’
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ONE DAY YOU WILL BE HEARD, ONE DAY YOU WILL BE BELIEVED, ONE DAY YOU
WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED’ page 2
‘The conference which is hosted by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and
Neglect (NAPCAN) brings together researchers, professionals and practitioners to focus on the
critical issues of prevention of child abuse.
The program will include five keynote addresses from notable international speakers plus over
Ends
For further information please contact:
Catherine Baker, State Manager tell: 0432 105 415.
Notes to the editor:
NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) is Australia’s leading
advocate for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. NAPCAN’s goal is to bring about the
changes necessary in individual and community behavior and in government policy to stop
abuse and neglect before it starts.
NAPCAN also works directly with children and young people conducting innovative programs to
strengthen protective behaviors build resilience and life skills. NAPCAN also assists ‘at risk’
parents through face-to-face programs and works in local communities building inclusive
networks and strengthening local support of children and families.
A charity, NAPCAN is governed by a national board with the support of professional sub-
committees and state and territory councils. For further information go to: www.napcan.org.au
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