12th Commonwealth Youth Parliament

The NSW Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is seeking to nominate two young participants to attend the Commonwealth Youth Parliament to be hosted by the Parliament of New Zealand (Pāremata Aotearoa) from 2 to 5 September 2024.

12 June 2023

 

THE Commonwealth Youth Parliament is a significant opportunity for young people who are potential future parliamentarians to learn about the role and purpose of Parliament together with young leaders from across the Commonwealth.

 

With 60% of the Commonwealth’s 2.5 billion people aged under 30, events such as the Commonwealth Youth Parliament offer a unique platform for aspirational young people to develop valuable skills in democracy, good governance, networking, diplomacy, leadership, and empowerment – all under the shared values of a truly Pan-Commonwealth experience. The programme will give participants aged 18-29 from the Commonwealth’s nine regions a plethora of opportunities for workshopping, development, and robust debate.

 

The Commonwealth Youth Parliament has a strong tradition of empowering youth engagement in parliamentary procedure. Witnessing the leaders of tomorrow come together in our Parliament to showcase the talent and potential of young people across the Commonwealth, is very encouraging of a strong democratic future in all our countries.

 

Members of the CPA are invited to nominate young people between the ages of 18 and 29 (at the time of the event) to participate. In order to be selected, participants should be able to demonstrate:

 

• an interest in parliamentary affairs and the Commonwealth

 

• potential leadership qualities such as an ability to effect change

 

• a commitment to their local community

 

• excellent communication skills, to be confident in participating in the full program.

 

Nominations must be lodged with CPA Headquarters by 5 July 2024. Nominations must be in writing from a Member, accompanied by the applicant’s CV.

 

If more than two applications are received, a determination on nominees will be made by the Joint Presidents, taking into account gender balance, the bicameral nature of the Parliament and nominations by government and non-government Members.

 

There are only six places for the Australia Region and in the case of more nominations than the allocation, the Australia Regional Secretariat will then select participants for submission. The final decision regarding formal invitations to nominees will be made by the event organisers.

 

The nomination of a young person and the forwarding of two nominations chosen by the Joint Presidents does not guarantee nominees will be invited by the CPA HQ Secretariat.