Environment, politics, mental health, lifestyle and gender equality are a number of key topics up for discussion this weekend as part of the second Youth Round Table meeting for 2019.

The Youth Round Table is made up of 16 young people aged 15 to 25 and provides young people with a platform to get involved and have their views heard by the Northern Territory Government about issues that interest or affect them and their peers.

The Youth Round Table members have identified a number of key topics they will be working on, including: 

• Finding ways to keep young people in the Territory

• Working with Kinship/Family and Foster Carers, schools and caseworkers to improve the experience of children in out-of-home-care

• Empowering young leaders in Katherine

• Raising and strengthening mental health in young people

• Promoting gender equity

• Supporting respectful relationships and improving self-image by encouraging a positive body image.

The Youth Round Table members are also considering how to re-write the narrative of young Territorians in a positive way, due to an often negative community perception of young people in the Northern Territory.

 This second meeting will enable members to brainstorm ways to capture and further develop positive youth related activities and projects from suicide prevention awareness in schools to supporting positive body image. These projects will help highlight and showcase the potential of all young Territorians. 

Territory Families Chief Executive Officer Ken Davies said young people have a significant role in shaping the Territory’s future and as the fastest growing age group, the Youth Round Table gives young people a valuable platform to have their voices heard.

“The Youth Round Table is an important tool which allows our young people an avenue to voice their opinions, concerns and issues direct to the Northern Territory Government and to contribute to government decision making on youth related topics,” he said. 

Youth Round Table member Hannah Maljcov from Alice Springs said young people are going to be the most affected by the decisions that are being made today. 

“I am a young person that is deeply interested in how the future of my generation is going to unfold and I have a strong connection to many youth voices within this community,” she said. 

“Young people need to have a strong voice and a say in what happens. The Youth Round Table provides a constructive avenue for bringing people’s voices out in front.” 

The Round Table members represent the geographic, cultural and ethnic diversity of the Northern Territory and are outstanding young role models within their hometown and their wider communities. 

The next Youth Round Table meeting will be held 24-25 of August with the final meeting in December 2019.

Territory Families media contact:

Amy Sloan
08 8999 5082
0447 863 571