More than 100 young Canberrans took part in the 2018 ACT Youth Assembly at the ACT Legislative Assembly last week.
Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the event was a powerful platform for young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to debate key issues.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the Youth Assembly debated four key topics throughout the day — civic participation, youth mental health, youth homelessness and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
“The event adopted a deliberative democracy process, aiming to draw out key ideas and policy recommendations while encouraging youth participation,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“I know young people in Canberra care deeply about the future of our city, nation and planet and I was excited to follow the day’s events and the debates,” she said.
“The contributions from the participants were well-informed, creative, passionate and smart.
“It is essential these voices are heard so that we can better understand the challenges young people face and the opportunities they see.”
The ACT Youth Assembly was co-facilitated by the ACT Youth Advisory Council, ACT Youth Coalition, headspace and teacher and Aboriginal mentor, Donald Bemrose.
Ms Stephen-Smith thanked the participants and promised to take notice of the ideas that came from the debates.
