On Saturday 5 April over 200 young people and local government stakeholders came together for the inaugural Youth Impact Summit held at the University of Adelaide.
The day showcased and celebrated programs and initiatives aimed at or led by young South Australians from across the state! From local council youth advisory groups to music programs like Northern Sound System – young people had the opportunity to network and celebrate the youth focused and youth led initiatives in their community that matter to them!
The event was co-designed by a team of 14 young people representing 8 different local council Youth Advisory Committees from across SA. Over an 8-month period the team worked together to bring their ideas to life, ensuring the day would be youth-led.
Proud Southern-Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri man Isaac Hannam, set the tone for the event with a warm Welcome to Country that included Isaac on the didgeridoo.
Some of the youth-designed features of the inaugural Youth Impact Summit included a team of seven young MCs who shared the hosting throughout the day.
Highlights from the day included a Panel of Young Changemakers who shared their tips and insight for leading change, with speakers who included Amber Brock-Fabel (Founder of SA Youth Forum) Olivia Isherwood (Enabled Youth Disability Network) , Stella Zollo (Youth Environment Council of SA) Millah Hansberry (Co-Director of Sounds Sick), Tiahni Adamson (2024 SA Young Australian of the Year), Eloise Hall (Founder of TABOO Period Products), and Adrian Soto (MYSA for Men).
Minister for Human Services, the Hon Nat Cook MP provided heartfelt encouragement of the contribution South Australia’s young people make to their communities and the importance of realising how small positive change for individuals, ultimately over time adds up to a lot of positive change for many.
A number of stallholders attended the event including Green Adelaide, South Australian Young Workers, Get Around It, Hub Magazine, Youth Forum SA and TABOO.
A festival style lunch was held on the lawns outside Bonython Hall, which was decked out with food trucks, lawn games, live performances from youth band Pomegranates and Broken 42, and interactive activities that included a native seedling and potting workshop run by Green Adelaide.
Other highlights of the Summit included a speed networking session called ‘Table Talks’ where groups of young people had 6-minutes to present their program or initiative to those who were seated at their table before move on to the next.
There was also an informative discussion with a Panel of Young Councillors and Parliamentarians who shared their reasons for being involved in politics at the local and state levels. Guest panelists included Councillor Lazaras Panayiotou from City of Port Adelaide Enfield, Councillor Ethan White from City of Gawler, Councillor Rebecca Vandepeear from City of Playford, Joe Szakacs MP and Olivia Savvas MP – the youngest sitting member of the South Australian Parliament.
The day finished with an engaging workshop led by Doug Werchon from the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia (YACSA). Doug provided an opportunity for young people to collaborate with others in their region and to practice developing ideas for real change they wish to see in their local community.
The event was covered by Jess McCall for her program BTS with Jess which will air on Channel 44 later this year. Alina Jansons who presents her own program Couch 44 on Channel 44 lent her presenting skills to the Myles McEwen Videography team who captured the highlights of the event and are busying editing this into a summary for upload to the CCYP YouTube Channel in due course. Be sure to keep an eye out for it.
What did the event achieve?
The Youth Impact Summit brought young people together from across councils, regions, organisations and backgrounds in a first-of-its-kind, youth led event that took place right here in Adelaide!
The event highlighted the power of coming together for greater impact and championed young people and the youth sector!
It was a unique, collaborative event, showcasing the incredible capability of young people and their desire to lead change in their own communities – together.
Big thanks to all the young people, councils and organisations who came together to make the day such a success!!
