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Voices of tomorrow meet today’s leaders at Youth Forum in Shepparton

May 15, 2024

**Raising their voice:** Youth Forum attendees Safar Ibrahimi, Lutfiye Kavci and Santhiya Subramaniam with state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe.

Policymakers and the region’s youth came face to face in Shepparton last month at the inaugural Youth Forum.

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The Parliament of Victoria, in partnership with Youthrive Victoria, organised the event to give young people the chance to engage directly with members of parliament and voice their concerns and aspirations.

On Tuesday, April 16, people aged 16 to 30 gathered at the Shepparton Art Museum to share their views on a range of issues affecting the region’s youth, spanning housing, mental health, community engagement and inclusivity.

The event was designed to foster open and inclusive dialogue through an interactive question and answer session with MPs, group discussions and a final presentation where participants presented their recommendations to the MPs and other community leaders.

State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe described the forum as a “tremendous success”.

“The Youth Forum was an opportunity for our youth to make their voices heard in an environment where they felt comfortable,” she said.

“This forum provided a platform to empower our youth and include them in discussions that affect their lives and communities.

“It is so important that we listen to and understand their perspectives, as they are the future of our communities.”