YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament is a program designed to give young Victorians between the ages of 16-25 the opportunity to be heard at the highest levels of State Government on a wide range of issues relevant to young people.

Since 1987, the program has given Victorians from a range of backgrounds the opportunity to debate topics they are passionate about in the Victorian chambers of Parliament. To date, over 30 Youth Parliament Bills have gone on to become Victorian legislation.

Twenty teams of six participants receive training in public speaking and leadership at residential camps, as they research issues that they’re passionate about. From this research, they develop a Bill, which they debate in Victorian Parliament over three days each July.

The program provides a great personal and professional development opportunity, and the Bills, which are handed to the relevant Ministers, provide the government with insight into what issues are important to young Victorians.

The Youth Parliament program is run by YMCA Victoria in conjunction with the Victorian Government.