Ethnic young people's experiences of feeling valued and safe in a multicultural cosmopolitan society

The paper explores ethnic young people’s experiences of living in the cosmopolitan Sydney with young migrants increasingly being part of the mainstream society. The social networks they develop, experiences of being appreciated and valued by friends, feeling secure and safe within their community. The research examines their experiences of inter-ethnic social networks and possibilities to express their ethnic belonging within the community. The youths are aged between 14 and 18 years and live in the multicultural centres of Western and South Western Sydney with it’s intermix of young people from Arabic and Middle Eastern, Pacific Island and Asian heritage. The research shows that young people who feel valued by friends also feel more secure in their community, more trusting of people and express a positive feeling about living in their adopted country.