Celebrating 20 years

When ARACY was formed 20 years ago the world looked a bit different. Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok didn’t exist. BigBash Cricket was still a decade away. Australia’s population was ticking over 19m, but the proportion of children (aged 14 and under) was declining, sitting at 20%. Now, in 2022 we can’t image a world without easy access to the internet and social media, cricket scores on our phones, and we share our country with over 25m others. But the proportion of children (aged 14 and under) has decreased to 18%.

Twenty years ago our first annual report noted “The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth was established in 2002 to harness the expertise and resources of individuals and organisations in developing innovative solutions to the range of complex problems affecting the health, development and wellbeing of increasing numbers of young Australians.” Professor Fiona Stanley labelled the organisation

the most broadly based collaborative venture ever attempted in Australia, to address a social issue of major national significance.

In 2002 there was a realisation across Australia, and in many parts of the world, that to have a successful society we needed healthy children, reaching their potential. And in Australia, too many children were not reaching their potential. Professor Stanley, in celebrating 20 years of ARACY spoke of the insight that

wicked problems require whole of government responses, and putting children and families at the middle of [our activities] is going to make a big difference.

In recognising twenty years of service and dedication, the team at ARACY acknowledges those thought leaders and policy champions who have continued to centre children, young people and their families in all facets of life and community. The work of ARACY has enabled us to better understand what is needed for every child to thrive, with the development of Australia’s wellbeing framework for children and young people, the Nest. The delivery of partnerships, collaborations and new approaches to working with children and young people has seen communities shift, and children and young people recognised and supported.

A small celebration was held at the National Museum of Australia allowing ARACY to thank supporters, collaborators and friends for their partnership. And to renew our hope for the future.

There remains an ongoing and challenging question of why the range of complex problems affecting the health, development, and wellbeing of children in Australia, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, continues to increase. So we remain committed to the vision of Professor Fiona Stanley who knew

Collaboration is both the context and means by which we will achieve our goal of integrating and translating diverse knowledge into effective action that will make a difference to the lives of young Australians.

Just imagine what the world will be like in twenty years, for the children born then. New struggles, but also new delights. In 2022 we celebrate twenty years of dedicated and focused work, knowing there are still many challenges facing children and young people. It is through collaboration, and turning evidence into action, that we will see every child thriving.