The Hon. Lauren Moss, Minister for Youth (NT), Media Release, 25 September 2022

Mental health, education and the environment are the top priorities for the Northern Territory Youth Round Table. The Round Table has met for the first time in Alice Springs with members wanting to ensure that young voices are heard in regions across the Territory.

It’s the only time a meeting has been held outside Darwin in its 25 year history.

Round Table members take seriously their role as an independent advisory group to the Minister for Youth and the NT Government.

Territory Labor is developing the NT’s first Youth Strategy and the Round Table will be one of the key stakeholders informing the plan. 

Round Table members are drawn from across the regions to bring a diverse voice to discussions around issues directly affecting young Territorians.

In addition to formulating policy recommendations that will be presented to the Government later this year, the Round Table also participates in professional development sessions on team building, social media, communications, project development and social entrepreneurship.

Quotes from Lauren Moss, Minister for Youth:

“We have to raise the platform of youth voices in the conversations that are happening about young people, particularly in Central Australia.

“Territory Labor is developing a youth strategy across government, and will work with the Youth Roundtable about what a youth strategy in the NT looks like and how we can help young people work towards their aspirations for their local communities.

“The Round Table has a direct audience with us in government and they make really amazing recommendations that we can go away and consider.”

Quotes from Jahdai Vigona, NT Youth Round Table Chair:

“Youth voices are important and need to be heard, and the Youth Roundtable is for young Territorians to come together and discuss issues that they believe are impacting them in their communities.

“So we meet with ministers, departments, service providers, and we get to talk to them about our key topics.

“It could be mental health, education, employment, or crime, all these topics that impact youth in the community.”

Quotes from Isla Hooper, NT Youth Round Table member:

“I believe that instilling young people with a confidence in themselves is such a big part of protecting their mental health.

“So I think that more work in the arts and between arts and mental health services is a really great way to support young people.

“I’m going to be talking to ministers about the importance of arts and mental health services collaborating.”