Youth Minister Dave Kelly today opened the inaugural Midwest Youth Sector Forum in Geraldton, and announced an increased regional presence for the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA).
Hosted by YACWA, the Forum is gathering key stakeholders and representatives from the youth sector to network and explore the current issues facing young people in the Mid-West.
The Mid-West is one of two regions to benefit from YACWA's increased regional presence, which will also be providing advocacy support for young people in the Great Southern region.
Lotterywest grant funding of $918,569 will enable YACWA to engage two regional project officers who will be based in Geraldton and Albany, as well deliver a range of core services and initiatives that support the youth sector and young people in the regions, and encourage youth leadership and participation.
YACWA undertakes a wide range of initiatives in support of young people and builds capacity in the youth services sector.
Delegates to the Forum will explore region-level issues currently facing young people and the youth sector in the Mid-West, and 'co-create' solutions to drive better outcomes for young people.
YACWA contributes to the work of a number of State Government agencies through policy initiatives, strategies and action plans relating to young people.
The McGowan Government also supports YACWA through Sector Support, Development and Advocacy funding, as well as providing grant funding for YACWA's Youth Pride Network.
As stated by Youth Minister Dave Kelly:
"Young people make up almost one fifth of Western Australia's population, and 21 per cent of young people live in regional and remote areas.
"WA's youth population is continuing to grow and is expected to increase by 44 per cent by 2030.
"The Midwest Youth Sector Forum will give young people in the Mid-West a direct voice, as well as a chance to collaborate, connect with like-minded people and strengthen their networks and relationships.
"The issues that affect our State are often highly concentrated on our young people: homelessness, mental health and unemployment to name just a few.
"As Youth Minister, I want to elevate young people's participation in Government and make sure their voices are heard when important decisions about education, health, employment, justice and the environment are made.
"YACWA does great work in advocating for young Western Australians from all over the State and I'm looking forward to hearing the new ideas and innovative solutions that come from these discussions."
As stated by Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"It's great to see the Youth Affairs Council's commitment to working in the Mid-West and championing the voices of its young people
"We know that in a State as large and as disparate as WA, there are real and meaningful differences between the issues faced by young people living in regional areas when compared to Perth.
"It is vital that young people from the Mid-West region have the opportunity to share their views about the issues that affect them and the communities where they live."
