Chance to Develop Young Indigenous Leaders
21 January 2014 at 9:18 am
An Indigenous youth academy is calling on young Indigenous leaders, aged 15 to 18, to join an initiative that helps develops national campaigns for social change.
The National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA) is taking applications for the 2014 National Gathering, where participants will develop, launch and lead national campaigns for social change.
NIYLA connects Indigenous young people from communities across Australia as the next generation of leaders and changemakers and is an initiative of the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA).
“NIYLA taught me that if you’re passionate about something, you can make a difference,” Layneisha Sgro, 16, from Western Australia, said.
“I also learned to be more trusting and open with people, and this allowed me to make so many long-lasting friendships.”
The 2013 National Gathering involved 50 Indigenous young people from across Australia working together to tackle issues around Constitutional Recognition, refugees and asylum seekers, suicide prevention, climate change and “Closing the Gap”.
Through social media, newspapers and radio, the campaigns reached tens of thousands of people.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and their dedication to making a difference,” Benson Saulo, Director of NIYLA at FYA said.
“Their communities and schools really got behind them – if you have a vision, people are always willing to support you.”
The NIYLA National Gathering forms part of a 12-week online program that runs from April 25 to July 25. Participants will come together from May 25 to May 30 in Arcardia, NSW.
All travel, accommodation and meal costs will be covered by NIYLA.
For more information, click here.
