Youth Parliament Looking for Leaders of Tomorrow

Queensland’s young leaders aged 15-25 are being asked to nominate for the 2019 YMCA Youth Parliament.

Minister for Youth Di Farmer encouraged aspiring leaders to put their hands up and said the program provided young people with the opportunity to make their voices heard.

“This program is a fantastic opportunity for our young Queenslanders to learn leadership skills and speak about the issues they really care about,” Ms Farmer said.

“Now in its 24^th year, Youth Parliament connects young people with their peers, their community, and their parliamentarians, creating networks that can extend into their working life.

 “Importantly, the experience can provide participants with opportunities to build important life skills like public-speaking, decision-making, and teamwork.”

Ms Farmer said the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament supports the Palaszczuk Government’s priorities of creating more opportunities for young people to engage with government and provide input into the policies and programs relevant to them.

“Youth Parliament offers our best and brightest young minds the chance to speak passionately on the subjects that inspire them,” Ms Farmer said.

“They will see how Parliament works first-hand and be given a platform there to have their voices heard.

“It's always so meaningful to see our young representatives debate the issues, and for us to see what Bills get passed.”

Ms Farmer said the Queensland Government provides the YMCA with more than $65,000 per annum in funding to run the program, which will begin in Brisbane during Youth Week in April.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to increasing opportunities for young people in every community across Queensland,” Ms Farmer said.

“We especially want to see applications from young Queenslanders who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ, as having a disability, or are culturally or linguistically diverse.

“Diversity in our youth Parliament is just as important as in our Queensland Parliament, and I encourage all of our state’s wonderful young people to have a go.”

Young people in Year 11 and 12 can receive one point toward their Queensland Certificate of Education after completing their Certificate of Education for completing the program, as YMCA is accredited by the Queensland Studies Authority.

The program runs from April until October.

Nominations open Monday 28 January and close Friday 22 February 2019.

For more information about the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, email qypcoordinator@ymcabrisbane.org or go to http://www.ymcabrisbane.org/queensland-youth-parliament-home.html 

ENDS

Media Contact:                                  Minister Farmer’s office           3719 7336