The 29th session of Youth Parliament kicks off with a memorable opening ceremony

Youth Parliamentarians of 2024 at the steps of Parliament House during the first day of sitting week.

Photo: YMCA SA Youth Parliament Media & Communications

On the 15th of July, the 29th South Australia Youth Parliament program began with a formal ceremony involving all participants.

The Opening Ceremony was held in the South Australian House of Assembly and began with only the parliamentarians from this chamber. Once the ceremony commenced, members from the Legislative Council were invited in and were seated within their respective parties.

2024 South Australian Youth Governor David Deex making his speech in the House of Assembly during the 2024 Opening Ceremony.

Photo: YMCA SA Youth Parliament Media & Communications

The Opening Ceremony mimicked a traditional parliament Opening Ceremony, giving the participants an insight into what a sitting week looks like for South Australian parliamentarians. Notable events included a speech and welcome of guests by The Honourable David Deex, 2024 Youth Governor of South Australia, an official Acknowledgement of Country and the leaders of both the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly taking their oath to represent the parliament and the people of South Australia fairly.

Behaviour during the sitting week reflected the basis created at the very first Youth Parliament held in Paris 1855, which states “any differences of opinions on other subjects shall not affect our relationships with one another.” This could be seen through the excellent teamwork and strong sportsmanship performed by all parliamentarians throughout the week, despite varying perspectives, opinions and backgrounds.

The ceremony involved guest appearances from many honourable speakers. David Patterson, CEO of the YMCA SA, inspired parliamentarians by reciting the thought-provoking statement, “What we believe is what we see, what we see is what we say and what we say is what we sow into the lives of the people around us.”

David Patterson, CEO of the YMCA SA making his speech at the 2024 Opening Ceremony.

Photo: YMCA SA Youth Parliament Media & Communications

Youth Parliament is a program open to all Adelaide-based young people aged 15-25. Youth Parliament, held since 1986, provides Australian young people an opportunity to pursue their political passions, express their beliefs and opinions, gain valuable parliamentary experience and create valuable relationships with like-minded parliamentarians and mentors.

The Youth Parliament program is held across two weeks, the first week involving interactive and supportive training and teaching for participants on how to create bills and debate and the second week being sitting week. During the official sitting week, Youth Parliamentarians are split between the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council, as well as by the opposition and government in both chambers to debate to either pass or fail bills and motions.

During the early days of the 2024 sitting week, participants noted particular excitement towards presenting their own bills, seeing their newfound friends present, and meeting prominent figures in the community such as politicians, the Lieutenant Governor and the founder of the Youth Parliament program in Australia. Additionally, they highlighted many skills that they were looking to develop throughout the week such as public speaking, confidence, open-mindedness, social skills, building connections, as well as seeing their bills develop from ideas to acts in formal debates.

The sitting week of the Youth Parliament concluded with many participants eagerly anticipating the next annual session. All participants presented strong and impactful debates and developed important skills and relationships that will likely set them up for potential political endeavours in the future.

Originally published on The Y South Australia.

 The YMCA SA Youth Press Gallery is a program for young people aged 15-17, where they gain valuable experience serving in the Press Gallery for the 2024 YMCA SA Youth Parliament. Youth Press Gallery members develop and distribute articles about the Youth Parliament and the issues being debated, and have their work published.