Filipino Youth Leaders Advocate for Change at Victorian Parliament’s State of the Future Youth Forum

The Victorian Parliament last month (10 May 2023) hosted the State of the Future youth forum. On this platform, young leaders from various organizations, backgrounds, and advocacies came together to discuss critical issues and provide feedback on how the parliament can effectively engage with the youth. The event aimed to bridge the gap between the younger generation and decision-making spaces, enabling them to voice their concerns and contribute to shaping policies that affect their lives.

Advocating for Change: Voices of Filipino Youth Leaders

Among the youth leaders who participated in the forum were Nicole Yaneza-Bagatsing, Thomas White, and Allyza Anne Catapang, who represented different organizations and advocated for various causes. Nicole, a 24-year-old passionate about mental health, youth leadership, and education, attended the event as a facilitator for the Education and Employment roundtable. Reflecting on her advocacy, Nicole shared, “My personal advocacies include mental health, youth leadership, and education, particularly early childhood and primary education.”

Thomas, a 21-year-old university student at Monash, focused on multicultural youth advocacy, youth empowerment, climate activism, and sustainable cities. Expressing his passion, Thomas said, “I’m Tisoy, was born here in Australia, and have a particular interest in multicultural youth advocacy, youth empowerment, climate activism, and sustainable cities. These are the areas where I believe we can make a significant impact.”

Allyza, an 18-year-old studying at RMIT University, represented Plan International Australia, an organization dedicated to gender equality, education, and the protection of young girls and gender-diverse individuals worldwide. Sharing her advocacies, Allyza said, “My personal advocacies include (but not limited to) gender equality and LGBTQIA+ issues, multiculturalism, climate change, and education.”

Roundtable Discussions: Addressing Key Topics

The forum participants engaged in roundtable discussions facilitated by parliamentary and youth facilitators, with each table assigned a specific topic. Nicole facilitated the Education and Employment roundtable, addressing issues such as the outdated ATAR scoring system and inequities between public and private schools. Reflecting on the discussion, Nicole explained, “I assisted in facilitating discussion around the outdated ATAR scoring system and inequities between public and private schools + regional and metro schools.”

Thomas was involved in a passionate discussion on climate change, focusing on the challenges faced by young people and the need for truthfulness, transparency, and regret from those in power. He expressed, “A lot of our discussion around climate change was focused on the experience of being a young person in the modern day, with the spectre of a climate that we don’t really have the power to change just yet. What we now need is truthfulness, frankness, transparency, and importantly, regret.”

Allyza contributed to the roundtable on LGBTQIA+ issues, emphasizing the importance of gender-affirming healthcare and combating discrimination within schools. Reflecting on the discussion, Allyza shared, “We discussed issues about gender-affirming healthcare and its importance to young queer people and how the lack of accessibility for gender-affirming healthcare impacts a lot of young people. We also discussed homophobia and discrimination within schools.”

Insights and Takeaways: Empowering Filipino Youth

Reflecting on their experiences at the State of the Future youth forum, the Filipino youth leaders shared their key takeaways. Nicole highlighted the significance of youth participation in decision-making spaces and urged young people to actively engage and advocate for their generation. She emphasized, “The Youth have got so much to contribute to decision-making spaces and policy-making power structures! We must continue to show up in spaces where they are asking for our feedback. We have as much to contribute to the policies being built than the generation that came before us. We need to continually be involved. If we don’t step up and advocate for our generation, who else will?”

Thomas emphasized the need to break down barriers and create inclusive systems that allow every young person’s voice to be heard. He shared, “There are a lot of doors that bar us from decision-making roles and positions, but there are also so many incredible, powerful young people that are willing to knock those doors down. When we make that phone call to an MP or show up at that local council meeting, we aren’t just breaking down the barrier to get us as an individual involved but are contributing towards ensuring that the system itself is eventually inclusive enough to let every young person be heard.”

Allyza stressed the importance of amplifying the voices of youth in shaping their own future. She expressed, “One of the key takeaways I have from the Youth forum is that there needs to be a better relationship between youth and those in power, and that their voice should be amplified as it is their future that is most affected by the decisions made in government. Not only that, but we have to ensure that our advocacies are inclusive of everyone, and that the journey to a better future is when no one is left behind.”

Inspiring Filipino Youth to Step Up

Offering advice to Filipino youth looking to get involved in leadership spaces, the youth leaders encouraged them to seize opportunities, connect with like-minded individuals, and fearlessly express their opinions. Nicole urged young Filipinos to explore local council youth leadership programs and other platforms aligned with their values. She stated, “Go for it! Research your local council’s youth leadership programs, your high school’s student representative council, or not-for-profit groups with views that align with your personal values. There are heaps of opportunities in Australia—the community is our oyster!”

Thomas emphasized the power of collective action and collaboration, urging youth to rely on those around them and build strong connections. He advised, “Your voice isn’t just valid and legitimate, it’s powerful. This fight for greater representation, for a greater voice, isn’t worth fighting if you’re doing it alone and is also nearly impossible to achieve. So rely on those around you, make strong and meaningful connections with others, and work together to make those leadership spaces be what you need them to be.”

Allyza encouraged young Filipinos not to hesitate and to have faith in themselves. She emphasized the power of words and speaking up for important issues. Allyza said, “Never be afraid to take the opportunity and have faith in yourself. Words have power, and when you care enough about issues that affect you and your community and the people you care about, then it’s never a wrong thing to speak up about it. Form connections and collaborate with people, and there you can truly see how much power the collective holds.”

The State of the Future youth forum provided a platform for young leaders like Nicole, Thomas, and Allyza to raise their voices and advocate for change. Their participation exemplified the growing influence and presence of Filipino youth leaders in Australia’s leadership spaces, inspiring others to take action and work towards a better future. With their unwavering determination and commitment to their advocacies, these Filipino youth leaders are paving the way for a more inclusive and empowered society.