‘We are all confident to speak’: Using radio as a tool of resettlement for young people of refugee background

Abstract

Settlement presents a significant challenge for refugees compared to other migrants, given the forced, and often traumatic, nature of their resettlement, but despite this, many refugees arrive in Australia with the tools to positively face new challenges in their settlement and as a result have a very high chance of making a good life for themselves in Australia. This paper discusses the ways community media production can be utilised to investigate solutions to the resettlement challenges faced by young people of refugee background. It draws on findings from a pilot research project that involved young people with refugee experience in media and radio production, as well as broadcasting on an internet radio station at the University of South Australia. The findings suggest, preliminarily at least, that participation in community media can have a beneficial effect on a young person’s settlement experience, in line with perceptions of what constitutes ‘successful’ resettlement.