WARD ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT NSW YOUTH WEEK 11TH-21ST APRIL 2024

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has today reminded local residents and community organisations across the Kiama electorate about NSW Youth Week (11th-21st April 2024).

Mr Ward said that Youth Week began as a NSW Government initiative back in 1989 and has since grown to be a celebration of young people in every State and Territory across the country.

“Importantly, Youth Week is organised by young people, for young people, in communities across NSW and Australia. Following the success of the NSW Youth Week program, Youth Week became a national event in 2000,” he said.

“National Youth Week is jointly supported by the Australian Government, State and Territory Governments and Local Governments.

If you are aged between 12 and 24, NSW Youth Week is an opportunity to:

• Share ideas.
• Attend live events.
• Have your voices heard on issues of concern to you and your friends.
• Celebrate your contribution to the community.
• Take part in competitions.

“As somebody who myself participated in Youth Parliament, I have always believed that the role of today’s leaders is to create future leaders,” Mr Ward said.

The NSW Youth Week theme for 2024 is: Express. Empower. Get loud!

Express – Youth week is a chance for every young person from across NSW to be themselves! It gives young people the opportunity to showcase their talents and getting involved.

Empower – It’s time for young people in NSW to have their voices heard on issues that matter to you. Please register here to participate in the Advocate for Children and Young People’s opportunities to have your say.

Get loud! – Get loud and celebrate together at local community events happening in your local community and across NSW.

“NSW Youth Week supports NSW Local Councils to empower young people to design and deliver community activities and events during NSW Youth Week (April each year), enabling them to:

• Increase participation in youth-led and youth-driven community activities/events;
• Address and overcome barriers to participation;
• Participate in activities/events that strengthen their connection to their local communities;
• Be recognised and valued for their contributions;
• Learn a range of skills that strengthen their ability to participate in their local community and support future social and economic participation;
• Feel a sense of choice and control (self-determination) in their lives; and
• Feel a sense of connection and belonging in their local communities.

This program is administered by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.