Anne Hollonds interview start

Kaytlyn Johnson

Anne Hollonds

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We live in a wealthy nation but the experiences of Australian children are diverse, with many experiencing real challenges in their everyday lives. Two years into the pandemic, there are strong concerns about the impact on kids and the cost to their wellbeing, especially for those who were already behind.

In this episode, we hear from National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds, who is calling for a concerted effort to elevate the rights, needs and voices of children in the national conversation. She wants action around systems that affect our kids and she’s putting political leaders and policy makers on notice. 

We also meet Kaytlyn Johnson, a student and musician from north-west Tasmania. Kaytlyn, a Palawa woman and the 2022 Young Tasmanian of the Year, offers her observations on navigating the challenges faced by young Australians.

Produced by UTS Impact Studios: 
Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
Audio Producer: Nicole Curby
Researcher/writer: Jackie May
Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom
Graphic design: Celia Neilson

We live in a wealthy nation but the experiences of Australian children are diverse, with many experiencing real challenges in their everyday lives. Two years into the pandemic, there are strong concerns about the impact on kids and the cost to their wellbeing, especially for those who were already behind.
In this episode, we hear from National Children&rsquo;s Commissioner Anne Hollonds, who is calling for a concerted effort to elevate the rights, needs and voices of children in the national conversation. She wants action around systems that affect our kids and she&rsquo;s putting political leaders and policy makers on notice.&nbsp;
We also meet Kaytlyn Johnson, a student and musician from north-west Tasmania. Kaytlyn, a Palawa woman and the 2022 Young Tasmanian of the Year, offers her observations on navigating the challenges faced by young Australians.
Produced by <a href="https://impactstudios.edu.au/">UTS Impact Studios</a>:&nbsp; Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman Audio Producer: Nicole Curby Researcher/writer: Jackie May Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom Graphic design: Celia Neilson

Backing Kids, the second season of Life’s Lottery, explores how Australian society values children and childhood. Kids are our future, but they’re rarely at the centre when it comes to the decisions that really matter. What would it take to truly put kids at the heart of policy, of budgets, and broader public work? 

We’ll hear the voices of advocates, experts, children and their parents and caregivers with bright and practical ideas about how we can improve kids’ health and wellbeing. We’ll dive deep into the Federal Budget and explore how it does, and doesn’t, reflect the realisation of children’s rights. We’ll hear about how young First Nations voices have informed policy development to improve the lives of First Nations kids. We’ll consider how place-based, universally accessible services could better reach vulnerable families and improve the wellbeing of all children. 

Two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted children’s physical and mental health, their education, and exacerbated the challenges faced by the most vulnerable. There has never been a better time to talk about how we could better back our kids and improve their odds in Life’s Lottery.

Produced by The Paul Ramsay Foundation and UTS Impact Studios.

Visit lifeslottery.com.au to learn more.

Backing Kids, the second season of Life&rsquo;s Lottery, explores how Australian society values children and childhood. Kids are our future, but they&rsquo;re rarely at the centre when it comes to the decisions that really matter. What would it take to truly put kids at the heart of policy, of budgets, and broader public work?&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll hear the voices of advocates, experts, children and their parents and caregivers with bright and practical ideas about how we can improve kids&rsquo; health and wellbeing. We&rsquo;ll dive deep into the Federal Budget and explore how it does, and doesn&rsquo;t, reflect the realisation of children&rsquo;s rights. We&rsquo;ll hear about how young First Nations voices have informed policy development to improve the lives of First Nations kids. We&rsquo;ll consider how place-based, universally accessible services could better reach vulnerable families and improve the wellbeing of all children.&nbsp;
Two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted children&rsquo;s physical and mental health, their education, and exacerbated the challenges faced by the most vulnerable. There has never been a better time to talk about how we could better back our kids and improve their odds in Life&rsquo;s Lottery.
Produced by The Paul Ramsay Foundation and UTS Impact Studios.
Visit <a href="http://www.lifeslottery.com.au/">lifeslottery.com.au</a> to learn more.

Life's Lottery

Backing Kids, the second season of Life’s Lottery, explores how Australian society values children and childhood. Kids are our future, but they’re rarely at the centre when it comes to the decisions that really matter. What would it take to truly put kids at the heart of policy, of budgets, and broader public work? 

We’ll hear the voices of advocates, experts, children and their parents and caregivers with bright and practical ideas about how we can improve kids’ health and wellbeing. We’ll dive deep into the Federal Budget and explore how it does, and doesn’t, reflect the realisation of children’s rights. We’ll hear about how young First Nations voices have informed policy development to improve the lives of First Nations kids. We’ll consider how place-based, universally accessible services could better reach vulnerable families and improve the wellbeing of all children. 

Two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted children’s education as well as physical and mental health,  and exacerbated the challenges faced by the most vulnerable. There has never been a better time to talk about how we could better back our kids and improve their odds in Life’s Lottery.

Backing Kids, the second season of Life&rsquo;s Lottery, explores how Australian society values children and childhood. Kids are our future, but they&rsquo;re rarely at the centre when it comes to the decisions that really matter. What would it take to truly put kids at the heart of policy, of budgets, and broader public work?&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll hear the voices of advocates, experts, children and their parents and caregivers with bright and practical ideas about how we can improve kids&rsquo; health and wellbeing. We&rsquo;ll dive deep into the Federal Budget and explore how it does, and doesn&rsquo;t, reflect the realisation of children&rsquo;s rights. We&rsquo;ll hear about how young First Nations voices have informed policy development to improve the lives of First Nations kids. We&rsquo;ll consider how place-based, universally accessible services could better reach vulnerable families and improve the wellbeing of all children.&nbsp;
Two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted children&rsquo;s education as well as physical and mental health,&nbsp; and exacerbated the challenges faced by the most vulnerable. There has never been a better time to talk about how we could better back our kids and improve their odds in Life&rsquo;s Lottery.

Life's Lottery: Backing Kids

Children in the national conversation

In this bonus episode, Jeni Whalan hosts a discussion on the recent commitments from both NSW and Victoria to deliver a year of universal play-based learning for children in the year before they start school. As well as transforming early childhood education, the goal is to build the sector workforce and further boost productivity by better supporting working parents. Leslie Loble, the co-chair of the Council on Early Childhood Development and Amanda Robbins, Managing Director of Equity Economics, outline the significance of the announcement and what it’s going to take to deliver this ‘triple dividend’ over the next ten years.

In this bonus episode, Jeni Whalan hosts a discussion on the recent commitments from both NSW and Victoria to deliver a year of universal play-based learning for children in the year before they start school. As well as transforming early childhood education, the goal is to build the sector workforce and further boost productivity by better supporting working parents. Leslie Loble, the co-chair of the Council on Early Childhood Development and Amanda Robbins, Managing Director of Equity Economics, outline the significance of the announcement and what it’s going to take to deliver this ‘triple dividend’ over the next ten years.

A better start: game-changing preschool reform in NSW & VIC

In this bonus episode, hosts Jeni Whalan and Glyn Davis examine the insights gained across this season of conversations about putting children at the centre of good public policy. They discuss the frustrating gap between knowledge and action when it comes to shifting the dial towards more positive outcomes for all kids. Without political leadership, meaningful consultation and targeted, place-based responses, many well-intentioned measures fail to make an impact. So is there now enough momentum to bring about real change?

We also hear from young people from the Northern Rivers region of NSW who, on top of pandemic disruptions, have also had to cope with devastating floods. Mullumbimby’s Spaghetti Circus, an arts and community engagement organisation, was inundated with water and mud. Members of the Circus community lost their homes, schools and businesses. Performers, Ellen, Maxine, Malaika and Laima share their hopes and fears for the future.

In this bonus episode, hosts Jeni Whalan and Glyn Davis examine the insights gained across this season of conversations about putting children at the centre of good public policy. They discuss the frustrating gap between knowledge and action when it comes to shifting the dial towards more positive outcomes for all kids. Without political leadership, meaningful consultation and targeted, place-based responses, many well-intentioned measures fail to make an impact. So is there now enough momentum to bring about real change?
We also hear from young people from the Northern Rivers region of NSW who, on top of pandemic disruptions, have also had to cope with devastating floods. Mullumbimby&rsquo;s Spaghetti Circus, an arts and community engagement organisation, was inundated with water and mud. Members of the Circus community lost their homes, schools and businesses. Performers, Ellen, Maxine, Malaika and Laima share their hopes and fears for the future.

Evidence is not enough: a review of Backing Kids

Kevin Watkins, London School of Economics

Marzia Yosufi, Sara Rezaei - The Wait

Credits by Finnley

‘Never again’ were words that echoed around the world in the wake of the second world war. Organisations were formed with the explicit aim of respecting and promoting international cooperation, aid and development. Only a few decades later, we have seen the first increase in poverty for a generation. Why? And why does inequality, conflict, and the impact of natural disasters still have such a disproportionate impact on children, especially those forced to leave the countries they call home? 

Kevin Watkins has spent his career speaking up for marginalised people in some of the world’s poorest countries. As a former CEO of Save the ChildrenUK, and now as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, he gives a scathing assessment of global leadership and calls for a return to the ideals of mutual responsibility to deliver a better and more sustainable future. But there’s also cause for hope as young people find their voice, organise across borders, and speak truth to power in greater numbers.

In an excerpt from The Waitpodcast, we also hear what it's like for child refugees like Marzia Yosufi and Sara Rezaei. Now young women, they have spent years marking time in Indonesia, waiting for a chance to be resettled and to be able to continue their education, and their childhood. This excerpt contains references to suicide, so please listen with care.

With thanks to: Kevin Watkins, Marzia Yosufi, Sara Rezaei.

&lsquo;Never again&rsquo; were words that echoed around the world in the wake of the second world war. Organisations were formed with the explicit aim of respecting and promoting international cooperation, aid and development. Only a few decades later, we have seen the first increase in poverty for a generation. Why? And why does inequality, conflict, and the impact of natural disasters still have such a disproportionate impact on children, especially those forced to leave the countries they call home?&nbsp;
Kevin Watkins has spent his career speaking up for marginalised people in some of the world&rsquo;s poorest countries. As a former CEO of Save the Children UK, and now as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, he gives a scathing assessment of global leadership and calls for a return to the ideals of mutual responsibility to deliver a better and more sustainable future. But there&rsquo;s also cause for hope as young people find their voice, organise across borders, and speak truth to power in greater numbers.
In an excerpt from <a href="https://www.thewaitpodcast.com/">The Wait</a> podcast, we also hear what it's like for child refugees like Marzia Yosufi and Sara Rezaei. Now young women, they have spent years marking time in Indonesia, waiting for a chance to be resettled and to be able to continue their education, and their childhood. This excerpt contains references to suicide, so please listen with care.
With thanks to: Kevin Watkins, Marzia Yosufi, Sara Rezaei.

Children in the national conversation

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Life's Lottery: Backing Kids

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