Eleven participants from the Y NSW Youth Parliament program have attended the 2026 National Youth Parliament in Canberra, joining 150 young people from every federal electorate across Australia for a unique civic leadership experience.
Delivered by the Department of the House of Representatives in partnership with the Y Australia, National Youth Parliament is a five-day program that gives young Australians the opportunity to experience democracy in action.
Participants engaged in simulated parliamentary debates, workshops with parliamentary leaders, policy discussions, and immersive learning experiences at Australian Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy.
This year, more than 2,200 young Australians applied for the program, with just 150 selected to represent their communities and electorates. Of those selected, 48 representatives came from New South Wales, including the 11 participants who progressed through the Y NSW Youth Parliament program.
Among the participants from NSW was Hannah, who had the opportunity to engage with parliamentary leaders and connect with young people from across the country.
“The National Youth Parliament was an incredibly successful and influential opportunity that allowed me to grow both personally and as a young leader,” she said.
“Through respectful and constructive discussion of the chosen bills, as well as hearing the diverse experiences of fellow members, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of collaboration, representation and youth voices in shaping meaningful change.
“Most importantly, I had the privilege of connecting with passionate young people from communities across Australia, from the east to the west and from the top to the bottom of the country. These connections and experiences have left a lasting impact on me and strengthened my commitment to advocacy and creating positive change within my community.”
The week proved to be a memorable experience for participants, with several members of the NSW delegation receiving national recognition for their contributions. Imamah and Emma were recognised with National Youth Parliament awards, while Poppy was selected as a Shadow Minister for Communications, reflecting her leadership and strong performance during parliamentary proceedings.
Throughout the experience, the NSW delegation was supported by Y NSW Youth Parliament Manager Faith, Coordinator Claudia and Taskforce member Saim, who attended as supervisors.
National Youth Parliament sits at the heart of the Y's commitment to youth leadership, civic participation and youth-led change. For more than 40 years, the Y has provided opportunities for young Australians to build confidence, develop leadership skills and participate in shaping the future of their communities.
The strong representation and achievements of the NSW delegation demonstrate the impact of youth leadership programs in empowering young people to have their voices heard. As another National Youth Parliament comes to a close, Y NSW congratulates all 48 NSW representatives, particularly the 11 participants who progressed through the Y NSW program to represent their communities on the national stage.
If you live in NSW and want to get involved in youth voice opportunities, you can sign up for our newsletter online at https://www.ymcansw.org.au/community-services/youth/youth-parliament/ or by reaching out directly at youthvoice@ymcansw.org.au.
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