The Territory Labor Government has launched a roadmap that will underpin youth policy for the next ten years.
The Northern Territory Youth Strategy 2023-2033 outlines the aspirations of young people, and highlights key areas of importance to them.
The Strategy is a product of feedback from more than 200 young Territorians and 50 stakeholders across the Territory. It establishes a baseline of youth sentiment, ambition, and vision that will be the foundation of future policy, investment and other decisions.
The Strategy is supported by three action plans throughout the life of the document, with the first to be released in the 2023-24 financial year.
A Project Reference Group (PRG) - comprised of young people from the NT Youth Round Table, NT Council of Social Services, regional youth advisory groups, and the NT Government - oversaw the development of the Strategy.
Issues of importance identified by the PRG include:
challenges associated with entering the rental market for the first time as a young person;specific support to address mental health amongst young people;importance of action on climate change; andneed for a resourced, skilled, culturally safe, and equipped youth sector.
See more at Northern Territory Youth Strategy 2023-2033 here.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Lauren Moss:.
"The Strategy is our roadmap for the future, while the action plans will chart the practical steps we will take to meet the aspirations of the Territory's young people.
"The Territory Labor Government has listened to young Territorians and now we have a comprehensive understanding of issues that matter to them.
"This is about empowering young people to achieve their full potential, so they can be socially connected, positive participants in their communities.
"Our future rests on our young Territorians and we want to ensure we give them every opportunity to grow, thrive, and stay in the Territory."
Quotes attributable to NT Youth Strategy Project Reference Group Co-chair Jordan Humphreys:
"Young people in the Northern Territory have been the primary drivers of this strategy.
"Throughout this project we have been handed the reins to make sure this is very much a document for youth, created by youth.
"I'm optimistic this strategy provides a clear direction to the Northern Territory Government to elevate the lives of young Territorians."
