A United Nations tour discovering issues most important to young Australians makes it to the Pilbara

A United Nations tour aimed at engaging with and discovering issues most important to young Australians has made it to the Pilbara. The Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations Lucy Stronach will represent young Australians on the global stage and will ask “what would Australia look like if young people were the key drivers of decision making?” Ms Stronach said the main consensus so far has been the failing education system and how the curriculum should be modernised. “Right now I’m hearing a lot about the lack of life skills, the lack of real-world learning, that means our young people aren’t equipped to go into the adult world.” But she said there was a difference between what the youths in the Pilbara and the Kimberly said compared to those in the metropolitan area. “Young people are struggling with mental health, with education, with activities outside of school leading to youth crime,” Ms Stronach said. “A lot of it is stemming from a lack of resources and a lack of community-led intervention. “I think it’s one of the first times they’ve sat down with an adult or a leader in the community that has really listened to them.” Ms Stronach said more assistance was needed from decision makers and community leaders to give young people the tools and knowledge to make change. “What’s wonderful about this program is that we can empower young people to realise that they have the ability to make this change at a community level,” she said. “They’re already half way there with their creativity and and passion. A final report will be prepared detailing the consultation tour and the voices of young people.