Youth Forum Right to Education (2022)

On Tuesday 1 November 2022, the Centre for Law and Social Justice, in collaboration with the Human Rights for NSW Alliance, hosted a Youth Forum on the Right to Education. This event brought together 70 high school students from 17 schools across the Hunter region of NSW to discuss the right to education in the context of human rights. Students ranged from 13 to 17 years of age. Together they deliberated over the following two questions:

1. What obstacles do young people face as they seek to exercise their right to education?
2.  How can the right to education be better promoted and protected in future for all young people?

Students engaged in a collaborative writing session to draft the 'School Students' Statement on the Right to Education.' Tim Crakanthorp MP, Member for Newcastle and Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE and Tertiary Education, attended the forum and later reported on the Students' Statement to the NSW Parliament. Mr Crakanthorp described the Statement as 'inclusive and thorough, showing genuine consideration for people of diverse backgrounds, living situations and abilities'. He reported to Parliament: 'Our future is in very good hands with those young people at the helm. Until then, it is imperative on us to listen, learn and act.'

Other resources

- Human Rights for NSW Alliance and Centre for Law and Social Justice Fact Sheet: Young people have a right to political participation
- NBN News report on the Youth Forum, 1 November 2022
- The value of lived experience, student panel

Get involved

If you are committed to promoting the right to education for all young people, please read the School Students' Statement on the Right to Education and follow the link below to sign on.

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