For a National Youth Meet and Greet Day
By Taihan |15| Victoria
There are almost 5 million young people in Australia, many facing challenges too big to ignore, from the cost of living to mental health, climate change, education, and more. Despite the need for action, young people are losing confidence in decision-makers to take the necessary steps. Research from Melbourne University shows that 63% of young adults have low confidence in the Australian political system. This lack of faith isn’t just a number – it’s a clear message that something needs to change.
As a 15-year-old from Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country in Melbourne, Victoria, I’m passionate about making sure that young people like me have a real voice in decisions that affect our lives. We’re impacted by many of the decisions made by policymakers, but too often, we’re left out of the conversations that matter most. To better ensure that our voices are heard, I’m proposing a campaign for a National Youth Meet and Greet Day.
This campaign is about more than just giving young people a seat at the table – it’s about making sure that seat is within reach. Right now, there are some programs out there for young people to have their say on policy, but these are not accessible to everyone. It can be hard for young people to find opportunities to speak up, and when we do, it can feel like our voices aren’t being heard. The National Youth Meet and Greet Day is about changing that.
On this day, young people across Australia would have the chance to meet directly with community leaders. It would not be about coming up with big, polished ideas – it would be about showing up, engaging, and being heard. We wouldn’t have to worry about whether our issues are “important enough”. This day would provide a welcoming space where every young person feels able to share their thoughts and ideas.
The impact of this campaign could be transformative. By meeting our leaders face-to-face, we can start to build a connection that goes beyond social media and headlines. We can begin to see our leaders as real people, who are there to listen and support us. This connection would help us feel more confident in our role in the political process and encourage us to think about the changes we want to see in our communities and beyond.
I want this campaign to spread across Australia, reaching leaders at every level of government. I want to create a platform where young people from all backgrounds and regions can come together, share their ideas, and make a difference. This isn’t just about one day – it’s about building a future where young people are actively engaged in shaping the world we live in. For this vision to come to life, we all need to harness our collective efforts. Together, we can make sure every young person in Australia has the chance to be heard and to help create the future we all deserve. The decisions made now will change tomorrow, so let’s get our voices heard today.