Local young people who want to have their voices heard can now apply to participate in the 2017 YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament.

 

Now in its 22nd year, the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament offers young Queenslanders aged 15 to 25 years the opportunity to speak up for their communities and learn, first-hand, about parliamentary procedures.

 

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, himself a Queensland Youth Parliament alumnus, said that since 1996 YMCA Queensland had brought young people together to learn about our democracy, connect with their peers and have a say about important issues facing our state.

 

“I know I learned a lot when I was a Youth Member and I know how valuable the experience can be for young people,” Mr Ryan said.

 

“It’s a great program that helps young people build their leadership skills and learn about how to influence change in our society.

 

“Each year, the program brings together 93 young people representing each electorate in the state along with four Indigenous representatives.

 

“It has a strong history of empowering young people to take up challenges and become leaders of the future.”

 

Each year, the program brings together participants in April to form committees and discuss ideas, and then again in September for a residential program and the opportunity to debate their bills on the floor of Queensland Parliament House.

 

Between April and September, committees will connect in person, via phone or internet to write their bills and to design and implement community action plans.

 

Nominations opened on Monday 30 January 2017 and will close on Monday 27 February 2017. For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.ymcaqyp.org