Voices for Change: Fighting Child Poverty at Anti-Poverty Week 2024
Anti-Poverty Week Event 2024 - ‘Listening Day’ at Government House
On 17 October 2024, the historic halls of the Government House Ballroom hosted a crucial event for Anti-Poverty Week – the ‘Listening Day’. This gathering shone a spotlight on one of Australia's most urgent challenges: child poverty.
The event brought together advocates, organisations, and community leaders who are all committed to addressing and combating child poverty. A diverse range of supporting organisations were present, showcasing a united effort to drive real change. These organisations included:
54 Reasons
Anglicare
Centrecare
Commissioner for Children & Young People
Curtin University
DSF
The Equity Project
Financial Wellbeing Collective
Foodbank WA
Foodcore
Ngala
OzHarvest
Red Cross
St Vincent de Paul
Uniting
Valuing Children Initiative
WACOSS
Join these organisations who have pledged to the End Child Poverty Campaign here.
Highlights and Key Messages
The event featured powerful testimonies and calls to action from a range of speakers and participants. Joshua Patrick, a VCI Ambassador, shared a moving account of growing up in poverty, offering a raw and personal perspective on the realities faced by many Australian children. His story underscored the critical need for systemic change to address child poverty.
Another compelling voice was Kim, a Youth Speaker, who further highlighted the impact of poverty on young people, emphasising the need for immediate and long-term solutions. The event also included a performance by Indigo Ellis, a VCI Ambassador, whose inspiring performance added emotional depth to the day’s proceedings.
To further drive home the stark reality of child poverty, 100 teddy bears were displayed at the event – with 17 orange bears symbolising the alarming statistic that 17 in 100 Australian children live in poverty.
Media Coverage and Advocacy
The event received significant media coverage, ensuring that the message extended beyond the room. This attention aims to galvanise public awareness, ignite conversations about child poverty, and inspire broader community action. By amplifying these voices, we hope to drive forward policy-driven solutions that tackle the root causes of child poverty and create lasting change.
For more details on the event and its impact, read the media release.
Take Action
Now is the time to act! Ending child poverty in Australia requires a collective effort from all of us. Every voice matters, and your involvement can make a real difference.
