Multicultural Youth Leadership Conference

Building leadership capacity in students across Victoria

The international student leadership team were recently invited to join the Northcote High School student leaders at the 2023 Multicultural Youth Leadership Conference (MYLC). It is the first MYLC to be held, with the aim of bringing together secondary students from across Victoria to build leadership capacity. It was a great lesson for leaders to learn how to improve their leadership skills by listening about experiences and advice from motivative leaders who have various backgrounds. There were many interactive sessions delivered by young multicultural leaders from many industries spanning across Government and politics, global changemakers, professional sports, etc.

Overall, our leaders were inspired by the presentations and had a small chat with some of the professionals after the talk! 

~Khoi N. Year 11

The Multicultural Youth Leadership Conference focused on 'Changing the narrative' on ethnicity. Inspiring young biracial, immigrant, and refugee Australians to strive for greatness. The conference encouraged all its’ attendees to disprove harmful racial stereotypes.

Northcote High School accompanied an array of other schools, with a majority of multicultural students to the Melbourne Convention Centre for this incredible presentation. Hosting the event was Mo Social Impact and Endeavour Youth Australia, both organisations with the goal of supporting youth to reach their potential in the face of adversity. We had the opportunity to interact with multicultural entrepreneurs and activists through moving Q&As and panels. The crowd was so welcoming and engaged with each of the many speakers the MYLC presented. With over 10 speakers through the day, we interacted with diverse stories and people. Panellists working in professional sport, politics, leadership, psychology, just to name a few, showed us their experiences existing in Multicultural Australia. They related to all of us on ethnicity and identity. They gave real life examples of how success and greatness can be achieved with community, confidence, and belonging on a fundamental level. I am honoured to know I attended the first Multicultural Youth Leadership Conference ever run. 

I had the opportunity to personally speak to two speakers from the Women in Leadership panel. Aseel Tayah and Mehak Sheikh, emphasised the lack of self-confidence in women and people of colour to strive for influential careers. Aseel spoke specifically on the fellow Muslim women in her community. Commenting on her role as a leader, she highlighted the strain professional women often feel when criticised for not putting 'enough' work into their family life. Later on, I asked Mehak and Aseel a question I had been dying to ask during the panel, being:

'How do you manage being pitted against other women in your careers?'

Both women agreed on the same thing, openness and honesty. Being appreciated for your individuality in the workplace, and prioritising your mental health. To seek connection with your peers, not competition. The motif of connection, family, and community was shared through each presenter’s story. It was inspiring to hear each speaker’s relatable anecdotes.

This was my first time going to a conference through Northcote High. Safe to say I have already applied for the next one later this month. It was beyond inspiring. Excursions like these are something that I'd absolutely recommend to others. Northcote High's leadership program has given me these opportunities which I am so grateful for. I am also incredibly impressed with the conference's organisers, for their hard work and preparation, and honoured to be one of those invited to attend. My kudos to everyone who contributed and organised the event to create such a positive experience.   

 ~ Brenna S. Year 9