A 17-year-old Mandurah Catholic College student has been chosen to attend the Western Australian Youth Parliament camp this month.
Amy-Jade Abbott-Robbins will join 59 students who will have their say on policies affecting young people.
This will be Amy-Jade’s second camp, having been a Youth Parliament member for two years.
Amy-Jade said it would be a good experience to meet like-minded people.
Read More:
“I had such an enjoyable experience meeting and conversing with new people last year,” she said.
“I'm hoping to provide the same support to other new participants.”
Amy-Jade said she wanted to show the state young people had important opinions to be shared.
“Young people struggle to get their voice heard,” she said.
“They are often shut down or ignored by their teachers, elders, and peers when they attempt to say anything. We are the future and should be heard.”
Amy-Jade is passionate about mental health and the environment.
“I believe that we need to find a way to be more sustainable and less destructive to our home so that future generations have a beautiful place to call home,” she said.
“I also believe that the process of ATAR schooling puts a lot of pressure on students to complete and obtain a good score, and often students will push aside their mental health to reach that dream score.”
The high-achiever is part of the Health, Mental Health and Disability Committee which aims to reduce the mental health stigma, making psychologists and mental health professionals more accessible to students.
YMCA WA chief Ross Kyrwood said camp participants would develop personal skills along with preparation to perform in a professional environment.
“This experience enables the participants to voice their opinions a and inspire conversation with like-minded youth,” he said.
“In addition it creates another opportunity for government and the community as whole to hear about the ideas and issues that are important to young people.”
On completion of the program all bills are presented to members of the government and opposition for their review and consideration.
The program also gives young people the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and learn about the political process in a forum like no other.
