Young changemaker looks to future

FOR more than ten years, Shani Cain has been volunteering and working in the international development sector, in spaces she said are not built for young people.

Being the CEO of Oaktree foundation in her mid-twenties, roles with Oxfam, the Australian Council for International Development, Decade of Action, and the Campaign for Australian Aid are just some of Ms Cain’s other contributions.

For her work servicing young people, Ms Cain has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Ms Cain said receiving the award was wonderful but also uncomfortable, as her work is within a team led by young people making change.

“It’s complex because it’s a very collective effort and I’ve also been in a very privileged position to do the work,” she said.

“That in itself means that it feels that this is a collective recognition rather than an individual recognition.

“Young people in general are leading movements in almost every issue that we see at the moment.”

Some of Ms Cain’s greatest achievements include becoming the CEO of Oaktree foundation and fostering a community for young people in Ballarat.

Following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, Ms Cain said she was concerned looking towards the future and hoped to see an even distribution of wealth and Indigenous sovereignty in Australia, as well as more young people to fill her shoes.

“We’ve seen hugely regressive movements in the US, and while that’s in the US and not here in Australia, those movements are so powerful and will have detrimental impacts,” she said.

“What I hope we see is actually a forward movement of access, recognition and an even distribution of wealth, and above all a recognition of Indigenous sovereignty here in Australia.”

Ms Cain was presented the award on 26 January, Australia Day. She said it provided a platform to discuss the issue around the public holiday’s date.

“The award is announced on January 26 and that feels deeply uncomfortable,” she said.

“A lot of the people creating change are communities that are impacted by the celebrations of days like this.

“If I didn’t accept the award, there’s no opportunity to talk about things like this.”