Released 29/03/2021
Applications are now open for young Canberrans aged 12 to 25 years, with a broad range of knowledge, skills, backgrounds, experience, ability and education, to apply for a position on the ACT Youth Advisory Council.
The Youth Advisory Council raises awareness of the aspirations, needs and concerns of young people, and facilitates interaction between young people, the ACT Government and the wider community.
The Council provides young people in our community the opportunity to take a leading role on topical issues that affect their lives.
In the past 12 months, members have actively contributed to community consultations and submissions on the ACT Wellbeing Framework, the ACT Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the development of the ACT Youth Assembly.
I want to hear from young people from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences who can provide me and the ACT Government with direct and well-informed advice on matters about young people. I want to ensure that the diversity of young people’s experiences and circumstances is reflected in advice to government.
The term of the current Youth Advisory Council is two years from appointment. Members are paid a contribution.
Expressions of interest open on Monday 29 March and close on 3 May 2021. For details, contact Youth InterACT on 6205 3064 or download an application at https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/youth/youth-interact.
Youth Advisory Council member Jazmyn Michie said, “The ACT Youth Advisory Council has helped me develop professionally and personally whilst helping to fulfil my passion for helping people in the community.”
“I have been able to pursue a range of opportunities that I never otherwise would have, thanks to the Youth Advisory Council and I would tell anyone who is interested to apply,” she said.
Former Youth Advisory Council member Mary Roberts said ,“I joined the Council because people under 25 make up almost a quarter of the ACT's population, and it is so important that we can influence decisions about how our community and territory will work in the future.”
“The Council’s work is diverse - we provide feedback to government projects and consult with young people about what's important to them and focus on everything from transport to employment and civic participation. For me, the two most important consultations we did were working with the ACT Government to agree the upcoming happiness indicators and the mental health response to the pandemic,” she said.
“Giving young people a voice in these decisions is important to me because we will inherit the outcome in the future; and in my experience, we think of something differently, or bring a different perspective which makes for a better outcome.”
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Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases