Bridging the generation gap key to Voice campaign

Jarred Cross
Jarred Cross Published September 19, 2023 at 4.28pm (AWST)

Uluru Youth Dialogue co-chair and Wiradjuri woman Bridget Cama says a glance back at recent social movements shows younger generations are driving change forward.

Starting Wednesday, the Dialogue are encouraging young people to pick up the phone and start informed conversations with their family members on the Voice to Parliament as the referendum approaches.

The #RingYourRello campaign invites these voices to speak with parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles on why the question to be placed in front of the voting public matters to them.

Ms Cama told National Indigenous Times it's about open and respectful discussion, and empowering young people to share their knowledge.

"There's a huge majority, I would say, of young people who are more than adequately informed about the voice and what it will mean. What it's all about," she said.

The Uluru Dialogue, led by Uluru Statement architects Professor Megan David and Aunty Pat Anderson, have focused on grassroots efforts supporting the Voice to Parliament with a series of public discussions and a recent ad featuring the signature hit from musician John Farnham.

The latest move hopes to drive casual and personal discussion, as well as start an online movement through the hashtag for social media users.

"We have a lot of faith in that, that it will have a huge impact of moving people who are either not sure leading to know to actually come back and say, 'well of course this is something I can support'," Ms Cama told NIT.

"We know that support gathers when you do meet people where they are and spend time and have a genuine conversation with them about the Voice."

Ms Cama said the opportunity is there for anyone who identifies as a young person to get on board, with acknowledgement not all people will agree on the topic.

"There's a group of people that it doesn't matter how much you talk to them, or put forward your views, they're not going to change their mind...we are just targeting people who are genuinely open minded and want to learn more and want to hear from young people and what we have to say about it," she said.

"We all know people within our families or our family friends that..want to know more, and it's just about being brave and having the conversation."

The Uluru Youth Dialogue launch the campaign with a small event in Sydney on September 20.

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National Indigenous Times

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