Young Territorians are being urged to lend their voice to help shape the Northern Territory (NT) Youth Strategy 2023 -2033.
The strategy will set the foundation for future NT Government programs and services aimed at making the Territory a great place for young people.
Territorians can have their say in an online survey with some great prizes up for grabs for young people who make a submission.
The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and looks at what it is like being a young Territorian, what the key issues are for youth and what young people’s priorities are.
General Manager, Community, Participation and Inclusion with Territory Families, Housing and Communities, Ms Samantha Livesley said the strategy was driven by youth, for youth.
Ms Livesley said the NT Youth Round Table and a newly-established Project Reference Group are providing guidance into the development of the strategy.
“We are putting young people at the heart of the strategy and ensuring they are front and centre in developing and monitoring the strategy,” she said.
“We want to hear from young people and by completing the survey, young people can win concert tickets, headphones and a good haul of prizes are up for grabs.”
There are 32,000 Territorians aged between 12-25 in the NT, with 40 per cent identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Youth Strategy’s Project Reference Group spokesperson, Mr Jordon Humphreys, said young people in the Territory were not a humongous group, but shared many similar traits.
“Young people are passionate, proud and increasingly socially conscious, but for many there is difficulty in finding an outlet for them to affect change,” Mr Humphreys said.
“This strategy can be an important agent for change because it will be used to inform future policy and programs for young people.
“The only way to be heard is to speak and I’d encourage my fellow Territorians to have their say.”
The survey for the strategy can be completed at and is open until 18 December 2022. This platform also allows Territorians to share stories and ideas that they feel will make their communities a better place to live.
By completing the survey, people will go into a draw to win a Bose Bluetooth Speaker, Fitbit Charge 5, JBL Wireless Earbuds, Bass in the Grass ticket and Coles gift card.
The Office of Youth Affairs team have been travelling around the Territory listening to young people and the youth sector. Online consultation sessions and information stalls are being held in December, and all details are available on the Have Your Say website.
The strategy will be released in 2023, complete with a three-year action plan to guide the first stage of the 10-year plan.
