Young First Nations' Queenslanders are urged to put their hand up for this year's Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) with applications open today.
Youth Affairs Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the QIYLP is a great opportunity for young First Nations people to learn new leadership skills that could be used to effect change in their communities.
"The program will see many young people in one place working together to strengthen their skills as our community leaders of the future," Minister Scanlon said.
"This is an opportunity to gain leadership, professional and self-development skills that will not only help them in their career pathways but also within themselves.
"I highly recommend all young First Nations Queenslanders aged 18 to 25, who haven't attended this program already, to apply this year — it will be life changing."
The residential leadership program is delivered in partnership with Queensland Parliamentary Services and with sponsorship from mining company Glencore Coal Assets Australia.
"The program brings together up to 40 young people from rural, remote and metro areas across the state to participate in a six-day residential program in Brisbane," she said.
"Since 2004, more than 600 young people have participated in QIYLP, with many of them returning each year as mentors, lead mentors and facilitators.
"There's a range of experiences available to participants including leadership and professional development workshops as well as parliamentary workshops.
"Importantly, everyone involved gets a chance to learn or refresh their knowledge across a range of topics from how to write a resume through to building new public speaking skills."
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said leadership development is critical to ensuring a voice for First Nations Peoples.
"Only this week, we had students from the Murri School here in Brisbane visit Parliament House, who I had the pleasure of meeting," Mr Crawford said.
"Some of those students come from a long and strong legacy of Indigenous leadership - the likes of the late Eddie Koiki Mabo, Lionel Fogarty, and Mayor Philemon Mosby," he said.
"It is programs like this that support emerging leaders to develop their skills and provide pathways into leadership roles in the future."
Glencore Coal Asset Australia's Community Relations Manager, Craig Strudwick, said the company was proud to invest in such a powerful program for young people.
"We've sponsored QIYLP for well over a decade now and every year we are impressed by the talented young people participating in the program," he said.
The program will take place in Brisbane from June 26 to July 1, 2021.
Applications are now open and will close on April 25, 2021.
