Thao Kieu Huong Pham

Youth Culture and Empowerment - Australia

Thao came to Australia from her native Vietnam in 1992. As a young migrant living in suburban Melbourne, she has faced the feelings of cultural displacement and isolation, as well as the discrimination experienced by all too many people who migrate to a new country in search of a better life.

Since then, Thao has been actively involved in promoting refugee and migrant rights within her community. She is a committee member of the Western Young People’s Independent Network, a youth advocacy group that combats racism, discrimination, and unemployment. Thao is also active within the Vietnamese Community Association of Victoria.

“Being a member of a community that is one of the most vibrant, culturally diverse regions of Melbourne allows me to bring a different perspective to issues of global concern”.

Thao plans to use Oxfam IYP2004 as a springboard to setting-up a “Mentoring for the Future of Migrant and Refugee Young People” programme, which would pair-up migrant young people with members of their own community willing to act as mentors. By sharing their own experiences and providing support, mentors will address the needs of newly-arrived young migrants, many of whom are unaccompanied minors with limited community networks. Thao plans to involve local schools, businesses, councils, and community groups in identifying the programme participants and providing financial support.

She believes that, “a supportive relationship with a mentor enables the young person to feel motivated and confident that they too can achieve their goals and become fulfilled and successful in their chosen field”.