The 28th YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) officially commenced this month with a jam-packed Launch Weekend from 14–16 April.

The Launch Weekend brought together all 93 selected Youth Members from across Queensland, providing the cohort with an opportunity to meet with the QYP Executive, mentors and their program peers.

Jasmin Peak, QYP Media and Marketing Officer, said the Launch Weekend tradition also involved “a lot of training and informational sessions that allow Youth Members to get an insight into what the rest of the year will look like for them.”

“Throughout the weekend training sessions from the Parliamentary, Education, Operations Support, Community Engagement and Recreation, Media and Marketing Officers are held.”

“These sessions range in topics from community and media engagement, to leadership and parliamentary education”, Jasmin said.

The weekend also saw Members vote-in this year’s Ministers and choose the Youth Bill topics that will be worked on during the program.

“Throughout the year Youth Bills are written and there are lots of community consults as well,” Jasmin explained.

“All Youth Members are also encouraged to participate in as many community engagement events as possible as well as meet with their local Members of Parliament.”

The weekend culminated with a gathering at Parliament House, where Youth Members were officially welcomed and sworn in during a special launch ceremony.

“Our next big event is Residential Sitting Week which is held in late September”, Jasmin said.

The annual YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament provides an opportunity for young people across Queensland to engage in a six-month program to participate in the writing of a Bill that proposes law reform on a topic that impacts young people.

To keep up to date with this year’s Queensland Youth Parliament cohort, follow QYP on Facebook or Instagram or visit the Your Voice Heard blog.