Bor Youth Association of Victoria

Bor community is one of the most disadvantaged communities devastated and set apart during the days of authoritarian regimes of Sudan since 1950s. The conditions worsen in 1960s when a number of mass displacements occurred due to the cleansing attacks waged on civilians. This caused the lives of paramount chiefs, singers and physical fit youth as the decision of marching the community to the route of well-planned extinction. Under the same massacre, 23 chiefs at least were murdered in the dawn of sunrise in Bor town 1965.

As fate continues, the results of the 1962 Anyang war, Bor town and rural parts were largely affected, but however, failed to focus on the physical infrastructure because of the stigmatization which was brought forth by the series killing of the community icons and the innocent lives of civilians. These civilians were then intimidated not to focus on the social development of their beloved land. Again in 1983, the same catastrophe happened as war begun in the centre of Bor town which enormously displaced the majority of its natives. In 1987 as Khartoum regime intensified its offensive against the South, many of minor children (the underage) departed seeking refuge into Ethiopia where many of them died of malnutrition, measles, Meningitis, Dysentery and other natural calamities.

This was overwhelmed by the 1991 political massacre of the civilians in Bor land. This tragedy contributed much to the under development of Bor land and its people. The community had in many ways undergone several threats of man- made disasters and natural calamities of the 1986 famine (Ruun apaar), 1992 ( ruun ca Capoth) and many other the disasters afterward. Many lives were lost within these years because of inadequate food and medicine caused by the illiteracy and lack of facilities. Another mass displacement occurred in the 1991 split, forced Bor civilians with minor protection to flee to the areas of Eastern, Western, Kotobi, Mogali,Lobone, Yondu, Magaltoria, Kirwa, Ngatinga, New Cush, Narus as displaced camps.

The displacement continues eastwards to the areas of Pinyidu, Demo, Kakuma and Kaboko Refugees Camps with inclusion of the approximate number of over 20 thousand people living in Australia, USA, Canada and Europe. These are all causes of war and the most affected are youth who many of them remain orphans, widowers, widows and wandering homelessly without parenting guidance.

As a positive result of the above description, these youth are currently in the western worlds and with the extreme courage to build a social development. Efforts exerted by the youth are more influential as the whole society joins in recognition of their potential hard work and courage. In order to make a breakthrough on the acquired skills, many of the youth living in Victoria had survived through such problems. Still their chances to success are nevertheless affected and should work long and hard to turn such experiences into fruitful ends. The BYAV is deliberate to make the best it can in achieving the future plans anticipated ahead for constructive progress. Bring youth together to share their future ideas can create an enormous impact in building the right future and develop the system of being good citizens.

Why was BYAV formed?

As stated in the BYAV background, the long civil war which had been running in the Sudan had created a lot of hardships and challenges to the Southern Sudanese people in particular that compelled them to seek refuge in the neighbouring countries and all round the world as well. Many of the youth living in Australia had been the most disadvantaged and have live in all these difficult circumstances in the Sudan. Most of whom have had lost parents at their young ages while the rest still haven’t met their parents for the last 20 years of their lives. Such situation creates stigmatization, depression and traumatized in diverting the potential youth to lose the vision of being the next generation. The Bor Youth Association of Victoria and BYAA hold the extreme aspirations to work hard to meet the demand the community anticipated of them in Victoria and Australia at large where as an assistance is most required to revive the opportunities needed by the destitute people through interaction.

BYAV Objectives

To support the settlement of Bor youth in Victoria to minimize the impact of trauma, displacement, grief and loss as a result of the refugee experience.
To advocate for Bor youth in the wider community particularly those who have been separated from family and relatives.
To identify resources/activities to meet community needs and work in partnership with other agencies and organizations that are consistent with the objectives of the Association to meet the needs of Bor youth in Victoria.
To provide opportunities for Bor youth to participate in community and recreational activities including sporting.
To promote traditional arts and dance amongst Bor youth in Victoria.
To promote education of young people from Bor to enhance their understanding of Australian laws and cultures.
To promote healthy lifestyles and work with young people to increase their understanding of, and minimize, the harm that can be caused by drug and alcohol use, homelessness and sexually transmitted diseases.
To encourage Bor youth participation in youth activities within the wider community to promote understanding and harmony amongst youth in a multicultural Victoria.
To promote equality between young men and women from Bor.
To consult regularly with Bor youth to identify and prioritize needs to improve quality of life and report regularly on existing projects and programs for youth input and continued endorsement.
To develop programs to support humanitarian assistance and redevelopment of the Bor region in Sudan.
To organize fundraising activities to support Association activities that meets the needs of Bor youth.

Membership

Every person age 16 to 45 is allowed to register as a member of the Association according to the constitution of the BYAA. The membership fee is $50 with the subscription of $120 Australian annually or payable in monthly instalments of $10 per month. Financial members of the association will be managed and guided by the constitution of BYAA.

Rights

Freedom of speech and expression
Right to loyalty, and to preserve the integrity
Right to vote when registered and of age
Right to nominate and to be nominated to the executive position.

Proper performance on the public Activity

The BYAV management will make sure that members are actively involved to the full implementation and respect of pursuing the strategic planning. The expected need to display the conducts required during the course running the official term as is essential to make away through. This inclusion means to ensure and signify truthfulness and impartiality in the operation of the official business. The management contends to have inflexible policy of being open and transparency in the dissemination of the information accordingly.

Members are expected to respect the privacy policy.
It is anticipated that every member of the BYAV should support and adhere to the principles and comply with accurate, truthful and appropriate information at such period as required of their eligibility for membership.
Every member is expected to use their right to vote during the youth elections in a responsible and fair manner, without an attempt of any unnecessary influence.

Financial responsibilities

Ensuring the right performance in the association and safeguarding its assets.
Approving the financial strategy.
Approving annual operating strategy and budgets which should reflect the association's strategic plan.
Ensuring that funds provided by the members are used in accordance with the requisites and conditions specified.
Ensuring the continuation and honesty of financial control systems and keeps regular monitoring during the operation.
Receiving and approving annual accounts (financial statements).