Young people from across the ACT will today gather for the 2025 ACT Youth Assembly to discuss some of the most important issues facing the community and explore innovative solutions.
In recognition of the vital contribution that young people make to the community, the ACT Youth Assembly will now be held annually, providing more opportunities for future leaders to shape the policies and programs that affect them.
The ACT Youth Assembly – previously held every two years - brings together Canberrans aged 12 to 25 years to share their insights, experiences, and ideas on how to address complex issues that are relevant to them.
Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Michael Pettersson MLA, said that participants in previous Youth Assemblies had collaborated to develop exciting new ideas aimed at improving outcomes and opportunities for young people in the ACT.
"The views of young Canberrans are vital in shaping the future of our city and the ACT Government wants to ensure that young people are heard," Minister Pettersson said.
"By holding the Youth Assembly every year, young people - the future leaders of the ACT - will have even more opportunities to come together in a formal setting to develop innovative, transformative ideas in response to big-picture issues."
"Everyone in the community benefits when we empower young people to participate in democratic processes like the ACT Youth Assembly."
Quote attributable to Jemma Rule, Co-Chair of the ACT Youth Advisory Council:
"The ACT Youth Assembly is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for young Canberrans to come together and create positive change for their communities by sharing their ideas, lived experiences, and solutions to youth issues in the ACT. As an attendee at the 2021 Assembly and an organiser for both the 2023 and 2025 Assemblies through the ACT Youth Advisory Council, I know firsthand the important role this event plays in amplifying youth voice to government and informing policy and decision making for a better future for all young Canberrans. I also acknowledge the value young people's continued participation in the Assemblies provides to the ACT Youth Advisory Council, as their contributions shape our priorities and the work we undertake as a council. The 2025 Assembly will feature forums on the topics of education, health, and housing, and I look forward to working with all the young attendees to ensure their recommendations are heard, listened to, and acted upon meaningfully."
"Holding the ACT Youth Assembly each year will give young people the opportunity to get involved and be consulted more regularly about more issues that affect their lives. In turn, this will help further align the Youth Advisory Council and the ACT Government's priorities with young people's needs and interests. The ACT Youth Assembly is also a lot of fun, and is a great opportunity to get experience in government, communications, and policy-making."
Quote attributable to Price Magero of the ACT Youth Advisory Council:
"Being part of the ACT Youth Assembly gave me the chance to speak up, connect with others, and know that my story matters. As a young African woman, it was powerful to be heard and feel part of real change. Our future is shaped by the younger generation, so I encourage every young person—especially those who don't always feel represented - to look for opportunities to share their voice."
Quote attributable to Nairwng Tripura of the ACT Youth Advisory Council:
"The Youth Assembly is an opportunity to share your insights and experiences with expectations to see some sort of change or acknowledgement. It also acts as a medium for young people to propose new, innovative ideas to better the lives of ACT youth."
