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Youth Organisations - YMCA's Youth Parliament
A chance to help shape the future in NSW
In this second in our series on youth organizations, we look at the YMCA's NSW Youth Parliament.
First held in Brisbane in 1963, the YMCA Youth Parliament is one of the longest-running and most successful YMCA youth programs in Australia. In 2002, NSW successfully held its first ever Youth Parliament and 2010 will see it convene for its ninth consecutive year.
Youth Parliament is an initiative implemented and run by the NSW Council of YMCA. The program provides young people with a forum for expressing their concerns on youth related issues at a State government level. Youth Parliament is a place where the opinions and concerns of young people in NSW, are heard by those who have the power to make laws.
The program aims to develop the following skills and attributes in young people that particpate:
- An understanding of the parliamentary system
- Public speaking and debating
- Leadership
- Developing, delivering and debating bills in the NSW Parliamentary system
YMCA’s Youth Parliament program is open to any young person aged 15 – 18 throughout NSW, with the aim of having one person from all 93 electorates to ensure an even catchment of issues from across the state and equal representation from a broad cross section of communities.
Youth Parliament is about developing young leaders. The program offers young leaders from across NSW the opportunity to develop and debate bills in the NSW Parliament. Bills are developed around local issues concerning young people and debate is chaired in the parliamentary chambers by MPs from across the state. Over 110 young people from electorates across the state participate annually.
Participants get to meet one another at a Training Camp where they receive advice and training from past participants and industry experts.
After camp, participants spend the remaining time before Residential camp preparing speeches and counter-arguments. The final touches to their bills are made at Residential Camp and then they actually get to present them in front of MP's and Ministers in NSW Parliament House. These bills are presented to members of the State House of Representatives at NSW Parliament House and then given to the NSW Premier and the Leader of the Opposition for review.
Nikita Butt, youth member for Cessnock in the Multiculturalism and Ethnic Affairs Committee, “I actually got a lot out of the training camp. I received a confidence boost and by the end, I wasn't as nervous or afraid to stand up and have a say. So, thanks everyone including all the taskies. Can't wait for the residential camp!!”
Jamian Vuong, youth member for Cabramatta, also in the Multiculturalism and Ethnic Affairs Committee, “The Training Camp was great, one of the best experiences of my life. I've learnt so much new stuff and met some amazing people. Looking forward to seeing all of you again at Residential Camp.”
The History of Youth Parliament
The first YMCA NSW Youth Parliament was held in 2002. The YMCA NSW Youth Parliament has enjoyed continual support from NSW Parliament and its members through MPs acting as guest speakers, as well assisting with recruitment of future Youth Parliamentarians.
Successful bills from Youth Parliament are sent to all NSW Members of Parliament including the Minister for Youth and the Shadow Minister for Youth. From here, it is hoped that the passed bills of Youth Parliament will help shape NSW State Government policy and the decision-making factors.
Some examples of Youth Parliament affecting real-life policy in recent times are below.
Justice and Juvenile Justice Portfolio 2005
- Highlighted the issue of education for young offenders in detention as an area of state policy that needed to be changed.
- Educational qualifications undertaken by young offenders in detention, if interrupted by their release, did not hold currency post-detention.
- Team proposed that qualifications achieved in detention, as well as the progress towards a qualification, should be recognised.
- Idea was also used by the State government as part of their juvenile justice reforms in early 2006.
Industrial Relations Portfolio 2006
- Amidst the publicity surrounding the Federal government’s WorkChoices policy, the I.R. team found that, constitutionally, the State government is responsible for child labour laws.
- Team proposed that employers must provide under 18s with employment terms and conditions.
- The team, with assistance from Youth Action and Policy Association, lobbied the government into implementing legislation which ensured that employers provide conditions at least equivalent to NSW awards and legislation.
Sport and Recreation Portfolio 2009
- It should be compulsory for all pool owners in NSW to hold current CPR and First Aid Certificates as an attempt to lower infant fatality rates.
- This was in-line with current State government objectives but took a step further than government initiatives by also requiring pool owners to have safety signage erected near pools.
- Both the YMCA of Sydney and members of the Sports team will watch eagerly as to the outcome of this.
The YMCA is now busy planning for the next edition of the program. Each year, YMCA NSW Youth Parliament aims to have every electorate in NSW represented.
In the last nine years, the program has had some phenomenal personal development stories. Some past participants have gone on to further education and employment in roles aiming to make a difference within the communities in which they live. Some of their stories include:
- Nathan Boyle participated in Youth Parliament in 2005 and is currently a member of the Youth Parliament Taskforce. Nathan is employed at the NSW Commission for Children and Young People.
- Joel Clark participated in Youth Parliament in 2005 and 2006 and is currently the Youth Parliament Coordinator. Joel is a youth advocate in many forums including Blue Mountains Youth Council, Reach Out! Youth Advisory Board, 2020 Australia Summit and more. Also he recently undertook the Prime Minister and Cabinet Vacation Internship Program.
If you know someone who would like the opportunity to participate in Youth Parliament in NSW they can find more information at www.ymcasydney.org/activity/youth-parliament
Applications for Youth Parliament 2011 open in November 2010.
The Committee Investigating Youth Affairs discussing and developing their Committee Bill during Training Camp in preparation for Residential Camp in July 2010
Youth Member Charles Witherdin-Costigan with his local MP Richard Torbay, member for Northern Tablelands.
Youth Member Bradley Birnie representing the Macquarie Fields electorate during debate in NSW Parliament House
