Young Queenslanders wanting to create change in their communities have been urged to apply to become a Youth Advocate with the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC).
Principal Commissioner at the QFCC, Luke Twyford kicked off a recruitment drive for Youth Advocates in Cairns.
“We have a diverse group of 25 Youth Advocates from across Queensland, aged between 14 and 25, who provide valuable advice to the QFCC based on their lived experiences and perspectives about issues that are important to them,” Mr Twyford said.
“These include youth mental health, youth homelessness, First Nations equity, LGBTQIA+ rights, out-of-home care, and much more.”
He said new recruits were needed so the network could grow.
“We want to hear especially from First Nations young people, young people with lived experiences of Queensland’s youth justice and child protection systems, and young people from regional and remote Queensland,” Mr Twyford said.
Sarah, a current Youth Advocate, said communities benefitted immensely when young people were given meaningful opportunities to participate in the decisions that affected them.
“When young people are given opportunities to be listened to, we feel our voice, experiences and ideas have power; we feel a sense of positive purpose in the community and in decision-making; and we are more likely to want to contribute to better our communities,” Sarah said.
Mr Twyford said Youth Advocates worked with the QFCC and other Government Agencies and organisations to bring about meaningful outcomes for young Queenslanders.
“That can include participating in workshops, co-designing projects, meeting with Government officials, or participating in forums and events,” he said.
More information about becoming a QFCC Youth Advocate can be accessed at this PS News link.
