The Youth Parliament in Canberra.
If you are in year 10, 11 and 12 and have a passion for politics, the YMCA NSW (Y NSW) Youth Parliament might just be the place for you.
The state’s premier youth political empowerment program provides a platform for young people to have their voices heard through legislative debate and decision making. The Y NSW is seeking representatives from all 93 NSW state electorates to participate, and applications have opened after the program had to be suspended last year.
Youth Parliament consists of an eight-day camp where participants are split in committees and develop policy positions ahead of a day of debate on the floor of NSW Parliament. Following the event, passed bills are formally presented to the NSW Government.
Since its beginning in 2002, approximately six pieces of Y NSW Youth Parliament youth legislation have been passed into NSW Law, including the recent Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.
Applications close on 12th March at 5pm. Young people will be notified of the outcome of their application on 22nd March ahead of an online introduction to the program on 26th April and finally, residential camp from 3rd to 10th July.
For more information, or to apply, visit: https://www.ymcansw.org.au/community-services/youth/youth-parliament/