The Skilled Social Voice

<jats:p> Recent approaches to human rights and communication have emphasized the move beyond traditional politics of recognition and self-representation towards the ‘right to be understood’. But how might we better understand the scope and content of such a right and its practical application? This article suggests that the right to be understood has a useful application in interventions aimed at promoting social inclusion and economic participation, and is therefore an important concept beyond its immediate domain of communication policy reform. As an example, the study focuses on YouthWorx, a collaborative youth media project that combines the creative, distributive and social service capabilities of Melbourne youth community broadcaster Student Youth Network, the Salvation Army and the Centre for Creative Industries and Innovation. Drawing on ethnographic research at the YouthWorx site, this article explores the content and practical possibilities of the notional ‘right to be understood’, in the context of a targeted community initiative for ‘youth at risk’. </jats:p>