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Join the 2014 National Indigenous Youth Parliament

18 February 2014
Culture and Capability
Beach shore picture taken from above

The Australian Electoral Commission is calling on all Indigenous Australians aged 16 to 25 to apply now for the National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP).

The Australian Electoral Commission is calling on all Indigenous Australians aged 16 to 25 to apply now for the National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP).

NIYP is a week-long leadership program for young Indigenous Australians, to be held in Canberra in May 2014.

Acting Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers said this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn directly from the people making decisions that affect Indigenous communities.

“The NIYP offers 50 young Indigenous Australians a chance to travel to Canberra and find out how government works and how laws are made,” Tom said.

“They’ll get expert training in public speaking and in dealing with the media, and they’ll meet with members of Parliament and other national leaders.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and no specific skills or experience are required to apply, apart from a desire to have a say in what's going on in your community."

NIYP will be held from 28 May to 3 June 2014. The centrepiece of NIYP is a two-day simulated parliament in the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House where participants will debate bills and important issues.

Young Indigenous Australians aged 16 to 25 must apply no later than Monday 10 March 2014. Participants will be chosen based on their ideas and interest in government and parliament and their potential leadership skills.

The Youth Parliament is run by the AEC in collaboration with the YMCA and Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

Find out more

Providing young Indigenous people with the opportunity to improve their leadership skills will give them the confidence and ability to make positive changes in their communities.

The National Indigenous Youth Parliament is funded through the Australian Electoral Commission’s Indigenous Electoral Participation Program, part of the Australian Government’s commitment to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage in electoral participation.

For more information on the National Indigenous Youth Parliament, including how to apply, visit www.aec.gov.au/Indigenous/niyp.