Sometimes a conversation stays with you because someone says something that makes perfect sense.
That happened to me at the recent Social Impact in the Regions conference in Queensland, during a conversation with Breeanna, an 18-year-old Year 12 student who had come along with her aunty.
Breeanna wasn’t initially convinced the conference would be her thing. But over three days, she contributed ideas, connected with others and stepped into leading some of the circles, particularly the youth-led discussions.
During an intergenerational circle, Breeanna shared a simple idea: people of all ages should sit together, around the same table, talking.
It resonated with me. A shared table creates the opportunity for everyone to contribute. Young people are part of the conversation from the beginning, with their perspectives heard alongside everyone else’s.
When I asked Breeanna how communities could better include young people, she spoke about providing opportunities and encouraging them to get involved. She explained that younger people sometimes step back because they don’t know what they can contribute.
That is something we need to think about. If young people aren’t joining in, have we made the opportunities clear? Have we asked what interests them? Have we made room for their ideas to shape what happens?
For those of us developing community projects, this is where co-design matters. If a project is intended for young people, young people need to help shape it – from identifying what matters to deciding how it will work. Their involvement needs to carry real influence.
Breeanna also offered thoughtful advice about supporting young people’s futures: give them space to choose their direction. If they need skills, help them build those skills or connect them with someone who can.
There is a message there for all of us: recognise the potential, offer support and make room for young people to lead.
By the end of the conference, Breeanna was helping lead conversations she hadn’t expected to be part of. Being listened to, and knowing her ideas mattered, had made a difference.
I’m grateful she shared those ideas with me. They are a reminder to keep asking ourselves who is around the table and whose voice is missing and to make sure young people have a real role in shaping what comes next.
Article written by Karen Lissa, Youth Connector at Community Connect South Shoalhaven