Activist Ashleigh

Ashleigh Streeter is adamant about creating a better world through Australian youth movements. Melbourne raised, Streeter began her career working with World Vision's youth movement, VGen, as the State Director for Victoria while completing her undergraduate degree in Politics and International Relations in 2014. Five years later, Ashleigh has been named the youngest ever ACT Woman of the Year and was listed on the ACT Honour Roll as well as the IMAD Honour Roll for her activism, advocacy, and contributions to the Canberra community. 

Photo of Ashleigh Streeter.

You have worked pursuing your passion for social change and raising the importance of global issues since 2005- when your parents, who had previously lived in Johannesburg, took you to South Africa and you got involved with SOWETO – the South Western Township. Was this when you realised you had a passion for activism?

Absolutely. I see that as my formative moment. I’ve had a very privileged upbringing and that was the first time I remember coming face to face with stark inequality and it was a confronting experience. It was in that moment and that discomfort that I realised that I was incredibly comfortable with a work which allowed this sort of inequality and which accepted it as a norm or a part of ‘how things are’, and pledged to spend the rest of my life working to a world in which that doesn’t exist.

What life experience made you passionate about voicing your opinion on Global issues? 

My visit to South Africa. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit a number of developing countries since then and each time I’ve had the opportunity to travel or learn more about some of the key issues impacting people asymmetrically, it’s reinforced my passion.

You began with VGen as a school mentor. What did you find was the majority reaction when young people were informed about social impact and global issues? 

I began as the Universities co-coordinator for Victoria and loved it! A lot of people are very interested in learning more. What I enjoyed most about working with VGen is that we were teaching young people how to make a meaningful non-financial contribution to combating issues. This is an incredibly valuable way to create change for two reasons:
1. You won’t always be in a position to donate money and therefore teaching people how they can create change in a non-financial way is a great way to make change-making accessible to different groups particularly young people (if you’re able to donate your time, and I acknowledge that many people don’t have that privilege).
2. Money isn’t always the way to solve many structural issues that entrench inequality in many societies.

Working with, and helping young people to learn what they could do to make a difference on issues was like watching a lightbulb switch on. As questions were asked and understanding was built, it was incredible watching the passion that was ignited in many people who were part of the VGen groups.

What did VGen teach you on the rest of your journey since then in terms of inspiring, educating and informing young people? 

It taught me the power of people, and that’s been incredibly important learning. It taught me how to mobilise and activate groups of people, how to communicate an idea, how to campaign, how to create a theory of change and the ways in which change can be achieved. It taught me how to work with volunteer teams, how to manage teams, how to communicate with stakeholders across the political spectrum and most importantly, it taught me that I AM an agent of change. That I didn't have to wait for someone else to create the change that I wanted to see, and that myself and many other young people can be on the forefront of creating that world.

What global issue resonates with you the most? 

Gender equality. It’s important to note that gender equality intersects with almost every issue including disability, economic security, poverty, climate, indigenous issues, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, healthcare, private and public security, peace and conflict - you name it, it intersects with gender equality. Gender equality is so insipid and prevalent but is also so fixable - and the benefits of gender equality are huge. I’ve always believed that everyone deserves an equal opportunity and this shouldn’t be impacted by your sex or your gender. Gender equality is also the solution to so many of our societal challenges.

Do you still keep in touch with your VGen network? Are former VGenners still actioning social impact initiatives that you are aware of?

Absolutely! Three of my best friends are former VGenners, I’m working in Canberra with three former VGenners and I’m still very close with my former state team. I even had breakfast last weekend with a VGenner i haven’t seen in years, and went for a walk with another, and I stay in touch with many more. They became a de facto family and I adore them for that.

Is there an issue in particular that you are most passionate about ensuring young people are informed and educated on?

There are many issues I consider absolutely critical, but perhaps the thing I’m most passionate about ensuring young people are informed and educated on is their own power to create change.

Young people have a bit of a rough run, we’re talked down to, put down as millennials, told we’re lazy. But, we’re also an incredibly active generation and because of the internet, we can mobilise and activate like never before. One of the ways you give up your power is by believing you don't have any, and I think it’s critical that all young people know that they are powerful in creating change.

What advice would you give a young person who is afraid to act as an advocate on a global issue they are passionate about? 

Go for it! There’s no time like the present. Think about the factors that are holding you back, never think of failure as just failure, it’s all learning. No one who did anything worth doing got it right the first time, and it’s important to learn and evolve. Keep an open mind, be open to feedback and as i was told once, be married to the problem and not the solution. Be agile, versatile, open to learning and also think about how you’re positioning yourself in relation to the issue - it’s okay to lead from behind, and some of the best leadership takes place away from the spotlight. Embrace the snowflake method and believe in the power of people.

“Never settle for that standard and,
even better, always know you can
actively work to change it.”

Head to https://www.ashleighstreeterjones.com/ to learn more.

WORDS: ASHLEIGH STREETER
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHLOE SIMPSON