Youth Parliament Program now open

05Mar

Young South Australians have the unique opportunity to create change by having their voices heard at the highest level of State Government with applications now open for the 2019 Youth Parliament Program.

The YMCA SA Youth Parliament is a personal development program for 15-24 year-olds which provides an opportunity for young people to gain a strong understanding of parliamentary process and encourages participants to be leaders in the community.

Participants are recruited from across South Australia and will represent a wide range of personal backgrounds. They will be trained in parliamentary etiquette, public speaking and Bill development. These Bills are then debated during Youth Parliament Week in Parliament House under the same protocols that apply in the South Australian Parliament.

The Bills that are passed by the Youth Parliament are sent onto the South Australian Government, giving young people a unique opportunity to have their views heard.

To participate in the program young people are invited to apply as an individual or to enter a team of up to eight people.

“I strongly encourage all interested people and schools to put forward applications,” said Member for Stuart, Dan van Holst Pellekaan MP.

“We’ve had a number of young people from our electorate participate in the past who have benefited greatly from the experience and it would be wonderful to see as many young people as possible access this opportunity in 2019.”

Regional scholarships are available to individuals to support the costs of travel and accommodation to and from Adelaide for the training weekend and the residential week.

For more information and to apply visit www.sa.ymca.org.au or phone 8200 2514.

KEY DATES

Applications close: Sunday 10 March 2019

Training weekend: Saturday 27 April – Sunday 28 April 2019

Residential week: Sunday 14 July – Friday 19 July 2019