Youth Forum Right to Participation (2024)
On Wednesday 6 November, the Centre for Law and Social Justice in collaboration with the Australian Lawyers for Human rights and Human Rights for New South Wales Alliance, hosted a Youth Forum on the Right to Participation. The event brought together 80 high school students from 17 schools across the Hunter region of NSW to discuss the right to participation in the context of human rights. Students ranges from 13 to 17 years of age. The forum was co-convened by Nicholas Stewart, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, and Anastasia Raivska, Protest Rights Campaigner at the Australian Democracy Network. Together students deliberated over the following two questions:
1. What does the right to participation require?
2. What obstacles are preventing young people from having full access to their right to participation?
Students engaged in a collaborative writing session to draft the 'School Students' Statement on the Right to Participation.' Tim Crakanthorp MP, State Member for Newcastle attended the forum and engaged with students who raised participation concerns.
Other resources
- Newcastle Herald, 'Lower voting age and seat at politics table among hot topics at youth forum,' by Alanna Tomazin published on 6 November 2024
- NBN News, 6 November 2024
- Professor Amy Maguire interviewed on ABC Newcastle, Mornings with Paul Turton, 5 November 2024
Get involved
If you are committed to protecting the right to a healthy environment for all young people please share this Statement.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.