Young people to be heard on issues they care about

25 July 2018

Twenty young people aged 16 to 25 have been appointed to the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council (IYAC).

Arts and Community Development Committee Chairperson Cr Kylie Stoneman said the goal of IYAC is to ensure that Ipswich’s young people are heard on the issues they care about and are empowered to undertake change-making initiatives across the city.

“The program will be designed by young people, for young people. IYAC will implement initiatives which affect and matter to them,” she said.

Ipswich City Council launched IYAC in June. The Community Engagement Branch opened applications in May and received 46, with 20 successfully appointed to IYAC.

Candidates were asked questions, including ‘why do you want to be a member of Ipswich Youth Advisory Council (IYAC)?’, ‘what is your proudest achievement and/or accomplishment?’, and ‘what is the biggest issue facing young people in the City of Ipswich?’

Cr Stoneman said there was cultural diversity within the group, including Aboriginal, Congolese, Samoan, Fijian, Maori and Australian.

“The group is representative of all areas of the city. There is suitable gender diversity, and there is a mix of applicants undertaking secondary schooling, vocational training, apprenticeships and university studies,” she said.

“IYAC members will come together later in July in a facilitated forum to meet one another and to begin identifying a small number of key priorities for the youth community in Ipswich.”

Membership of IYAC is for two years.

Cr Stoneman said an ambassador program will also launch in December and target people aged 12-15 years who are passionate about being involved in their community. It will be a pathway for youth to apply for IYAC when they turn 16.

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