The South Sudanese Community Association in Victoria (SSCAV) held two urgent meetings in response to recent tragedies affecting the local community. The first meeting took place at Melbourne University’s Wyndham Campus on September 20, followed by a second gathering in Springvale on September 21. Community leaders emphasized the need for broader participation in decision-making processes to create lasting change.
Titan Debirian, the secretary of youth at SSCAV, expressed the importance of inclusivity in community discussions. “It’s not enough to have two people at the table,” he stated. “We all need to be at that table, rolling up our sleeves and doing what is necessary to get our community to where we want it to be.” Debirian criticized some leaders for not including young people in these critical conversations.
He highlighted that a significant number of youths have been overlooked in decision-making spaces. “A big cohort that hasn’t been involved, that hasn’t been given a voice, that hasn’t been supported to be at this table is the young people,” Debirian pointed out. He urged young individuals to take action, stating, “No more standing on the sidelines—that doesn’t work. Let’s be clear: nothing changes unless we change it. Not the government. Not the police. Not community leaders.”
The response from young people was significant, with many attending the meetings to support Debirian’s call for inclusion. He emphasized that this movement is about transparency and recognizing the power young individuals hold. “If you’re not at the table we won’t find solutions,” he said. “We needed to flood those rooms! Young people have to show up because you know what’s going on, you know what you want for your future.”
Debirian also articulated the community’s fatigue with ongoing violence, stating, “We can’t keep repeating the same responses and expecting different results. It can’t be funeral after funeral and we don’t change things.” He noted that crime and street culture affect the wider society, but the South Sudanese youth have been particularly impacted.
Strategies for Safety and Inclusion
Andrew Ohide, chair of SSCAV, addressed the urgent need for strategies to ensure safety within the community. “Our kids don’t feel safe anywhere. Some don’t want to go out at all; they don’t want to go to school, they don’t want to go to shops, to the park,” he remarked. Ohide stressed the importance of collaboration among councils, different communities, parents, police, and other governmental bodies to address these issues.
Deng Ajak Chiengkou, a community advocate and panel speaker, described the gatherings as “lifelines” for the youth. He acknowledged the challenges faced by many young South Sudanese and praised their resilience. “They are holding conversations many adults avoid, and in doing so, they are teaching us courage,” Chiengkou stated. He urged parents to engage actively in dialogues, not only during funerals but also in community discussions, reinforcing the necessity of intergenerational communication.
As the SSCAV continues its efforts to bring about change, the focus remains on healing and fostering open conversations. The association aims to create an inclusive environment where every voice matters, especially those of young people who hold the potential for shaping the community’s future.
