Young people representing Australia at international youth forum in Samoa

Young Australians will have their voices heard on the international stage, with a delegation traveling to Samoa for the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2024.

Minister for Youth Dr Anne Aly has announced that this month Charlotte and Jet, current members of the Albanese Government’s Youth Steering Committee, will represent Australia at the Forum. 

“Charlotte and Jet will represent the experiences of young people in Australia at the Forum, with a particular lens on First Nations, disability, regional and LGBTIQ+ youth perspectives,” Dr Aly said.

“They will also represent Australia at the Forum General Assembly which provides advice to the Commonwealth Youth Council.”

Charlotte, 18, is an undergraduate student at the Australian National University in the ACT, studying a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), majoring in astronomy and astrophysics. She hopes to also get her Masters in Primary Education to help future generations flourish. 

Charlotte joined the Youth Steering Committee as a way of paying her successes forward, to help inspire and empower other young people, and is passionate about being a voice for other First Nations people and disabled young people.

Jet, 18, is from the North-West Coast of Tasmania, and is passionate about social justice, the arts, and supporting diversity. He hopes to bring about change for young people, particularly those in rural and regional areas through representation, and encouraging young people to use their own voices. 

As a proud member of the queer community, he hopes to contribute to diversity in youth engagement spaces by helping to build safe and collaborative environments.

“Charlotte and Jet will provide important contributions as the Forum considers global problems and presents recommendations to the leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting,” said Dr Aly.

The Commonwealth Youth Forum 2024 will be held in Apia, Samoa between 21-22 October. The Forum coincides with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 taking place in Apia from 21-26 October.

The Forum provides an opportunity for the young people of the Commonwealth to build cross-cultural connections and networks, deliberate on youth-led initiatives addressing emerging issues impacting young people, consider perspectives to influence decision makers, and ensure young people have a voice and agency in its future.

The 2024 Forum theme is ‘Navigating Our Course: Building Resilience for a Common Future’ which reflects the ambitions of our new generation of leaders advocating for an inclusive Commonwealth. 

At CHOGM 2024 leaders will deliberate on global economic, environmental and security challenges, and discuss how Commonwealth countries can work together to build resilience, boost trade, innovation, growth and empower the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young people for a more peaceful and sustainable future.

This year’s Forum marks the culmination of the Commonwealth Year of Youth.