The National Karen Youth Seminar has been held in Australia since 2000. It began because AKO's leaders saw the need for young Karen people in Australia to learn about maintaining their culture, to develop political awareness, and to understand Karen values and customs, while adapting to Australian culture, values and laws.
In its early years, the seminar was a small gathering held alternately in Victoria and New South Wales. The number of participants has grown as Karen refugees from the Thai–Burma border have resettled across Australia under Australia's refugee resettlement programme.
The seminar aims:
- to promote and support networking among Karen young people in Australia
- to strengthen the Karen community in Australia
- to prepare young people for future leadership in the Karen community
- to maintain and promote Karen traditions and culture
- to strengthen Karen values and beliefs
- to raise awareness of the situation of the Karen people.
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