The Y NSW Youth Parliament program has been shaping young leaders for over 20 years, offering high school students in Years 10 to 12, a unique platform to voice their concerns and propose solutions on issues critical to their communities.
These Youth Bills were the focal point of debate during the sitting week, reflecting the participants’ commitment to advocating for meaningful change.
Avin’s Bill was to create more permanent performance spaces for young people to showcase their passion, while Vivian’s Bill was to reform school suspension policies, giving students more options for rehabilitation and behavioural change.
She said the whole bill-writing process was a real eye-opener.
“We have studied aspects of law at school but it to be part of a process where you can actually advocate on an issue and then bring it to life was amazing,” said Vivian who dreams of being a doctor.
Avin said: “To get this experience first-hand and to see true advocacy at work has been truly educational and having always been interested in social issues, I hope one day to be able to pursue them professionally.”
Students voice needs on youth parliament day
THE chambers of the NSW Parliament witnessed a remarkable transformation last week as almost 70 dynamic young people, including Canterbury’s Avin Dabiri and Punchbowl’s Vivian Nguyen, stepped into the roles of parliamentarians for the 2024 Y NSW Youth Parliament Sitting Week.