November 2010 Archives

is evidence that our youth are well-adjusted, have a strong set of values and place enormous importance on family relationships. And apart from shouldering a range of serious concerns - both personal and for the nation - young Australians are overwhelmingly positive about the future.

At more than 50,000 participants, this is the biggest annual stocktake of young people in the country. The survey flies in the face of popular stereotypes of Generation Y as shallow and materialistic. But it's not all good news. This year's survey has also uncovered some serious issues we, as a community, need to address ... 

The survey results can be downloaded from http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/downloads/national-survey-of-young-australians/271-2010

Around the world governments are recognising that there is more to life - and government - than GDP. The Australian Government Treasury has developed a "wellbeing" framework for evaluating policy and outcomes, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics has developed a project named "Measures of Australia's Progress". Both aim to broaden the objectives and measures of government beyond purely economic indicators.

These developments, and how public policy in Australia might change as a result, will be discussed by Dr Ken Henry, Secretary to the Treasury, Don Henry, CEO, Australian Conservation Foundation and Gemma Van Halderen, Social Data Integration and Analysis Branch, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Thursday 25 November 6pm, University of Melbourne.