The SYC IMPACT Youth Leadership Project, was established in 2017 to enable young South Australians to actively participate in the 2018 state election process. In 2017, SYC (Student Youth Council) provided the opportunity to Scotch to be involved in the project, along with three Government High Schools and another Independent School.

This opportunity was offered to Scotch students in years 9 and 10. Eight students expressed an interest and joined a group of over 40 students.

The students participated in four IMPACT forums during September and October of 2017.  The forums enabled students to engage and learn with a diverse group of young people. The group produced position statements on the key issues they see affecting young people in South Australia; of priority was mental health and substance use. From this work, a White Paper was developed and presented to MPs for consideration. 

This week the students reconvened at Parliament House for a Q&A style panel event, directly engaging with key party representatives on the topics related to their position papers. The Hon Susan Close MP, Michelle Lensink, representing the Liberal Party of SA, and Tammy Franks representing the Greens presented their party’s key focus areas for youth before taking questions from the students. The students’ questions were strong and well thought through, and all spoke confidently.  Of note, students demonstrated a strength in their consideration when working with and supporting other students. The Ministers provided welcome responses and were encouraging of the students. Each Minister sent a similar message in that they genuinely want to make decisions that benefit South Australians, the difficulty is identifying the most suitable strategies and finding the most effective form of implementation.

The IMPACT Leadership project exposed our students to the machinery of Government, the timing and considerations required to change policy, the power of the voice and marketing, and a better understanding of how they can be heard to affect change.  There was a coming together of differing backgrounds and desires; they accepted and considered.  We look forward to the future impact of their work.

Sherilyn Craven