Parliament of Youth on Sustainability

By Kate Kristiansen (Year 6 student) and Ms Leanne McKenzie (Year 2 teacher)

In the last week of Term 2, 36 students from Year 2 to Year 6 participated in the Parliament of Youth on Sustainability.

The Parliament of Youth on Sustainability is an opportunity for primary and secondary school students to express their ideas on making Canberra more sustainable. Student groups from all education sectors came together in a one-day mock-Parliament experience, where student groups broke into committees and presented their ideas to other student groups before voting.

The two teams that were voted by their peers as having the best proposals for action in each age category – Kindergarten to Year 3; Year 4 to Year 6; Year 7 to Year 9 and Year 10 to Year 12 – were then represented by their student minister to give a one-minute pitch to the full parliament (all participating students and local members of the legislative assembly).

The proposals that our students came up with were ones which their year level cohorts were passionate about. As a result, we are proud of all our students who advocated for their peers and our Radford community.

The Year 6 team went on to win the Years 3–6 age-group with their idea: “Bag a month” and one of the Year 2 teams won the K–2 age-group with their idea: “Canberra Kids Compost Company. Their ideas will soon be presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Parliament of Youth was a great experience for everyone and a lot of fun. Congratulations to all the Radford teams!