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Youth Parliament
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Youth Parliament 2010 applications are now closed.
What is it?
YMCA Youth Parliament (YP) is an initiative implemented by the NSW Council of YMCAs. Youth Parliament provides a way for young people to put across their ideas about issues that concern them. Essentially, it is a place where the opinions and concerns of young people in NSW are heard by those who have the power to make laws.
YP is open to everyone aged 15-18 across NSW and each year we aim to get a representative from each state electorate, so that all areas are equally represented and a broad cross section of views can be heard.
Why should I participate?
• If you are passionate about youth issues - you will have the opportunity to advise New South Wales politicians & decision-makers on matters affecting young people.
• Youth Parliament is also a great opportunity for you to develop skills in leadership, public speaking, debating and team work.
• If you want to learn more about government & politics - you will be able to meet with & talk to decision-makers & learn first-hand how Government & the Parliament operate.
• If you want to meet other young people & form new friendships - the program includes a great camp & you can really get to know people & form friendships that last for years.
What happens?
1. After all applications have been received the YP '10 taskforce will meet to discuss and review each application. You will be contacted via email if you have been successful. Further information will be sent to you soon after. As most of the communications happen via email it is important that applicants have regular access to email and a printer.
2. Once applicants have been selected you will be placed into a team where over a 3 month period you will develop a bill about an issue which is important to your team. Most of the meetings take place online via email so you don't have to worry about travelling long distances to see one another.
3. You will then attend a Training Camp which is a chance for you to meet all the other participants from across NSW as well as receiving advice and training from past participants and industry experts. After camp you then spend the remaining time before Residential camp preparing your speeches and counter-arguments.
4. The final touches to your bills are made at Residential Camp and then you actually get to present them in front of MP's and Ministers in NSW Parliament House. These bills are presented to members of the State House of Representatives at NSW Parliament House and then given to the NSW Premier and the Leader of the Opposition for review.
At YP in 2002 a team presented their bill about a uniform age for sexual consent. Members of Parliament took this idea on board and brought it to the attention of Parliament and it has now been made law!
Who's running YP?
YP ‘10 is managed by the YMCA of Sydney. The YMCA oversees the running of YP around Australia and has run it for over 20 years in some states.
The YMCA of Sydney has appointed an organisational taskforce which will oversee all operations of YP'10. The Taskforce is made up of dynamic volunteers, aged between 18 to 25, to ensure that this is truly a youth event; organised by youth, for youth.
Adult supervision will be provided throughout the duration of the camps by trained YMCA Volunteer leaders and staff; all of whom have passed a "Working With Children Check", administered by the Commissioner for Children and Young People. Further information regarding supervision and camps will be forwarded to you upon your successful application. However, if you do have any concerns please feel free to contact YP'10 Coordinator on 9687 6233.
The Rundown
When: YP'10 runs from March through to July 2010. You will work in your teams on your bills throughout this period. You will also be required to go to the following camps:
Training Camp: 9th-11th April 2010
This will be a chance to meet all of the YP'09 participants, in addition to getting some help and training to help you write your bills.
Residential Camp: 4th -9th July 2010
During this time your team has the opportunity to make final adjustments to your bills, have some fun and present your bills to MPs and State Ministers in NSW Parliament House.
Where: The training and residential camps will be at:
Sydney Olympic Park Lodge, Jamieson Street, Silverwater
The Bills will be presented in NSW Parliament House
Macquarie Street Sydney.
Who: The program is open to everyone aged 15-18 years from across NSW.
To find out which electorate you are in, go to: www.elections.nsw.gov.au
Cost: The cost to be a part of YP ‘10 will be $580 per participant. This includes accommodation, meals, transport between Sydney Olympic Park Lodge and NSW Parliament House whilst on residential camp, all activities and extra expenses throughout the duration of the residential camp. Please note that this fee does not include travel to and from the training and residential camps.
Previous participants have found it very valuable to obtain sponsorship from local businesses, youth associations or clubs such as Rotary and Lions. Local MPs have also been helpful in assisting participants in their local area. To help you out even further, once you have been selected we will send you a sponsorship pack which will give you ideas and details of whom to contact.
Issues
In the application form you are required to select three topics that you would like to
discuss at YP'09. When doing this you must remember that they need to be state issues as this is the level of Parliament we are involved during YP'10.
Aboriginal Affairs
Aging
Agriculture
Arts
Citizenship
Commerce
Community Services
Education
Emergency Services
Energy & Utilities
Environment
Ethnic Affairs
Fair trading
Fisheries
Health
Housing Industrial Relations
Infrastructure & Planning
Justice & Juvenile Justice
Local Government
Medical research
Mineral Resources
Police
Racing & Gambling
Regional development
Roads
Rural Affairs
Science
Small Business
Tourism, Sport & Recreation
Transport Services
Woman
Youth
Terms and Conditions of Entry
Applications:
• First round applications have now closed. Late submissions round now open until close of business (5pm) Friday 26th February 2010.
• Parental consent needs to be gained before applying. Please ensure your parents know you are applying!
Payments:
• By applying you agree to cover the $580 participation fee.
• Refunds will only be made to participants under exceptional circumstances.
• Deposits are not refundable.
Participation & Attendance:
• If a participant wishes to withdraw from the program, another person may replace them, providing they have lodged an application form.
• Transport to and from the training and residential camp is the sole responsibility of each participant. However, a shuttle service will be organised to pick you up from Olympic Park train station and take you to Sydney Olympic Park Lodge. We can also take you back to Olympic Park train station once the camp and training days are finished.
• All participants must complete an indemnity form (we will send it to you once you have been accepted into the program). Those who do not complete the form will not be allowed to attend the training or residential camp.
• Participants of the program must have reliable and regular access to email and a printer as this will be the primary means of communication. Where this may be a problem for participants, they must advise the Youth Parliament Coordinator so alternative arrangements can be made.
• Both training and residential camps are compulsory. If you are unable to attend you will unfortunately be unable to take part in YP'09.
Responsibilities:
If selected to participate in YP:
• You agree to abide by the rules governing behaviour outlined by the Coordinator and Taskforce throughout the program.
• You will adhere to and uphold the following values and conditions of the YMCA Youth Parliament:
RESPECT for
- The law
- The individual
- Diversity
- Decisions made by the Taskforce
- The institutions of the program: Parliament, YMCA, and the Taskforce.
COMMITMENT to
- A drug and alcohol free event
- Participating to the best of my ability
REPRESENTATION of
- Young people
- The YMCA
RESPONSIBILITY for
- Own behaviour
- Refraining from intimate relationships
TEAM WORK in
- Cooperation
- Participation
- Sharing Information
A consolidated document of the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament bills for 2009 is below:
Other Activities
This activity is part of Youth Leadership - YMCA Youth Programs and Youth Leadership. Some similar activities offered by YMCA Sydney include:
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- Future Leaders - YMCA Future Leaders is an annual personal and professional development program for young YMCA staff aged 18-25. The program delivers personal development and leadership...
- Marland Cup - Marland Cup is the YMCA’s annual state-wide youth camp that began in 1990 to provide young people with the opportunity to participate in ‘clean, healthy...
- Changing Minds, Bouncing Back - The Changing Minds, Bouncing Back project is a camping experience for disadvantaged youth, between the ages of 14 and 17, who are in state care but who are too old for...
- NCIE Youth Advisory Committee - The primary purpose of the NCIE Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is to advise the YMCA on youth issues in the community. The YAC will support the Y in implementing youth...
- Youth Parliament Journalism Program - The YMCA New South Wales Youth Parliament (YP) is a program that provides a way for young people aged 15-18 to put across their ideas about issues that concern them. It is a...
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