The Nationals Member for Shepparton District Kim O’Keeffe has described Parliament’s fist Youth Forum which was held in Shepparton as a “tremendous success”.
The event, which took place recently at the Shepparton Art Museum, provided a platform for young participants aged 16 to 30 to voice their concerns and aspirations to directly to Members of Parliament.
“It was fantastic to have the forum here in Shepparton. The engagement and enthusiasm shown by our youth were truly inspiring,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
The forum was organised by the Parliament of Victoria in collaboration with Youthrive Victoria and created discussions on issues which were relevant to the region’s youth.
Participants had open conversations and shared their perspectives on various topics with MPs and community leaders.
“The Youth Forum was an opportunity for our youth to make their voices heard in an environment where they felt comfortable. It is so important that we listen to and understand their perspectives, as they are the future of our communities,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
The day included a Q&A panel with MPs, roundtable discussions on various topics and a final presentation where participants presented their discussions and recommendations to the MP’s and other community leaders.
“The topics ranged from housing, community engagement and inclusivity to mental health,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
She also highlighted the importance of empowering youth and involving them in conversations that impact their lives.
“This forum provided a platform to empower our youth and include them in discussions that affect their lives and communities,” she said.
Ms O’Keeffe thanked all the participants and organisers for their contributions to the event’s success.
“I am incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and engagement displayed by the participants,” Ms O’Keeffe said.