Shaping the future: Youth Summit wraps up with call to action

The NSW Government’s first-ever Youth Summit marked a significant step forward in empowering young people to help shape the policies and decisions that impact their lives.

As part of the Your Voice, Our Future consultation, this landmark event was a pivotal moment in a year-long engagement effort that has reached almost 5,000 young people across NSW through school visits, community events, workshops and an online survey. 

Held on Monday 18 November 2024, the event provided a platform for 100 young people from across the state to share their experiences and speak directly with 12 NSW Government Ministers and four Commissioners on the issues that matter most to them.

More than half of the Summit attendees were from regional areas and the diverse group of participants included First Nations and LGBTIQ+ youth, individuals with disabilities, young parents and carers, along with refugee and migrant young people.

The conversations on the day addressed critical issues such as the cost-of-living, mental health, housing availability, transport accessibility, climate change, education and employment, with young people calling for meaningful government action on these pressing matters.

The event highlighted the growing demand for greater inclusivity in decision-making, particularly for young people from regional areas and minority backgrounds, who often face barriers to participation. Young people also emphasised the need for more accessible mental health services, affordable transport options and real outcomes from government consultations.

The NSW Government’s Your Voice, Our Future online survey will remain open until Tuesday 31 December, providing young people the opportunity to share their views and help shape the future of NSW. Complete the Survey.

View the Your Voice, Our Future Interim Report.

The Your Voice, Our Future consultation is a cross-agency collaboration between the NSW Office for Regional Youth, the Advocate for Children and Young People and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
 
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Director for Regional Youth Julia Ryan said:
“The energy and ideas that came out of the Youth Summit were nothing short of inspiring, showcasing the incredible potential of young people to shape their communities and their futures.

“We’ve heard from thousands of young people across NSW through the Your Voice Our Future consultation and the message is clear – they want a say in the decisions that affect their lives and a meaningful commitment to action.

“From mental health and housing to transport accessibility and climate change, the issues raised reflect the challenges today’s young people are facing head-on.”
 
NSW Youth Summit Working Group member, 18-year-old Molly Croft from Dubbo said:
“Being part of the NSW Youth Summit Working Group was an incredible honour. It was a chance to ensure that the voices of young people, particularly those from rural and regional areas, were heard on key issues affecting us all.

“I am particularly passionate about addressing the challenges faced by young people with disabilities, including those living with chronic illness.

“As someone who has lived with the effects of cancer and a disability, I understand first-hand the barriers to inclusion and access that exist. Whether it’s education, employment, or simply feeling a sense of belonging, these barriers can be significant.

“I think every young person just wants to be heard. We just want to feel as though the Ministers and those in positions of power hear what we’re saying, take action and promise to make a difference for us.”