The chambers of the Legislative Assembly in Sydney were ringing with the sound of young voices this week, and among them was that of 18-year-old Lian Sequeira of Gosford.
Almost 70 dynamic young people stepped into the roles of parliamentarians for the 2024 Y NSW Youth Parliament Sitting Week from July 9-11.
Lian was representing the Gosford electorate on the Arts, Music and Culture Committee.
She said she applied for the program on a whim and was surprised and very happy to get in.
“I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and apply for any opportunities that came my way,” she said.
“I’ve recently started exploring my purpose; to help young people find their true self by providing them with direction and confidence.
“This is something I’m passionate about, as I’ve struggled with my own purpose and my identity in the past.”
Lian said she would advocate for more exposure of the arts, music and culture sector to highlight such benefits as creativity, positive mental health and confidence through her Youth Creative Opportunities Bill 2024.
“I strongly believe opportunities like Youth Parliament are vital in order to build confidence and personal growth and would like to see the exposure and creation of more opportunities to support the young people of today,” she said.
Lian said she was passionate about delivering programs to support young people with their personal growth, including building confidence, finding direction and asking for support.
“I’m also passionate about how existing programs and schemes, such as the ATAR system, can affect young people’s wellbeing,” she said.
Lian addressed the detrimental impacts of the ATAR on young people’s mental and physical wellbeing in her community recognition statement, as well as within committee discussions.
She said the opportunity to share her story and the concerns of those around her in Youth Parliament had given her a new sense of confidence and she hoped to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
“I strongly believe that the young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow,” she said.
“It is vital that we support them and give them the opportunities to share their unique and diverse perspectives.”
Participants, representing a diverse cross-section of NSW electorates, engaged in a rigorous three-day legislative session.
The Y NSW Youth Parliament program, a premier youth empowerment initiative that has been shaping young leaders for more than 20 years, offers high school students in Years 10 to 12 a platform to voice their concerns and propose solutions on issues critical to their communities.
Youth Bills across a variety of portfolios, including Aboriginal affairs; arts, music and culture; education and training; housing and homelessness; justice; rural and regional development; and women’s affairs were discussed.
“The Y NSW Youth Parliament not only serves as a platform for young people to express their ideas and concerns, but also fosters the development of skills such as confidence, public speaking, critical thinking, and civic duty,” Y NSW CEO Rob Kennaugh said.
“Participants are empowered to be active and influential in shaping their communities.
“As NSW’s leading youth empowerment initiative, Youth Parliament offers young people an opportunity to engage directly in the legislative process.
“The Youth Parliament program also marks a significant milestone in its commitment to inclusivity and representation.
“Participants this year hail from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, ensuring a rich diversity of perspectives and experiences.”
The outcomes of the sessions will be presented to Members of Parliament and other key stakeholders, potentially influencing future policy decisions.
For the Y NSW’s 2024 Youth Parliament program there were 66 participants covering more than 53 per cent of the state’s electorates.
Two parties were formed at the start of the program – Future Horizons Party and Opportunity Builders Party.
Terry Collins