Student Spotlight 

YOUTH PARLIAMENT SUCCESS

I would like to highlight some recent achievements and excellent work by Nafissa Tooyo. In term one, I had five students apply for the Youth Parliament Program. Nafissa's application was successful, granting her the opportunity to participate in the 2024 Youth Parliament Program. Last week, I, along with Nafissa's family, attended the debate to support her as she delivered her powerful speech.       

The Youth Parliament, organised by YMCA Youth Services, offers young individuals a platform to voice their opinions in our state’s houses of parliament. This program enables young people aged 16 to 25 to express their views on a variety of issues pertinent to their lives. Participants, working in teams of six, receive support to draft a Bill addressing a state-based issue they wish to change or incorporate into Victorian legislation. These Bills are introduced, debated, and voted on during the Youth Parliament's sitting week at Parliament House. After the sitting week, all Bills passed by the Youth Parliament are submitted to the Minister for Youth.     

- Ladan Ahmed, African School Liaison Officer

Nafissa's Reflection:

Reflecting on my experience with the YMCA Youth Parliament program, I can confidently say it was incredibly rewarding. Participating in this program gave me a comprehensive understanding of how parliament operates and how laws are made, which improved my comprehension of community involvement and government.  

Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to collaborate closely with peers from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique perspectives and ideas to the table. I attended a camp, where I met my team and completed a range of workshops to better our understanding of the parliamentary system. Together, we engaged in drafting bills, debating policies, and proposing solutions to real-world issues that affect our communities. This collaborative effort not only improved my skills in critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork but also fostered friendships with many individuals. 

One of the highlights was presenting our proposed legislation to actual members of Victoria's Senate and Legislative Assembly. Our focus revolved around making coercive control a standalone offense, meaning putting an all-means stop to violence against women. Our bill, which included alternative measures such as mandatory rehabilitation, restrictive bail conditions, and ensuring perpetrators serve full sentences or face significant penalties in prison, has successfully passed through the Youth Senate Parliament and onward to the Victorian Senate. It was a privilege to have our voices heard and to advocate for meaningful changes that could positively impact society. The constructive feedback and encouragement we received from legislators further underlined the importance of youth participation in shaping policy decisions.  

Overall, the YMCA Youth Parliament program exceeded my expectations for personal and professional growth. It gave me a stronger sense of responsibility as a potential leader and the skills and confidence to keep working for positive change in our community. I'm grateful to Ladan for encouraging me to join this important program.

- Nafissa Tooyo