ChilOut’s Youth Ambassador Program started in 2004. As part of this program, young former refugees and Australian-born young people participate in activities in the Australian community to raise awareness about children in immigration detention. Their stories and activities carry the message that keeping children in detention centres causes serious harm to children and these effects often continue long after the children have been released. To learn more about our Youth Ambassador Program, take a look at this short 3-minute video:

The Youth Ambassador Program is an opportunity for young people around Australia to be part of the fight for releasing children from immigration detention and contributing to a more just and peaceful world. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have a right to education, shelter and play, and to lead normal healthy lives. Keeping children in immigration detention prevents their full access to these rights. The aim of the Youth Ambassador Program is to empower young people to raise their voices and work towards ensuring that no children are held in detention, and that all children are given the rights they are entitled to.