TRC employee to share her vision with CHOGM

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) policy coordinator Simone Mooketsi has a message – and she's hoping to have it heard around the world.

Simone has been selected to be one of Australia's 30 representatives at the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) to be held in Freemantle, Western Australia from October 23 to 27.

Up to 130 delegates from the nations of the Commonwealth are expected to attend the CYF to discuss issues of importance to young people.

And Simone can't wait to get there.

"I feel very honoured to be a part of this – to meet others from around the world and discuss social issues. The forum is the perfect opportunity to seek cooperation on a broad scale and to take ideas that work well in other regions and use them here in our community."

Simone said the Commonwealth Youth Forum aims to:

Create a platform for young people to contribute to the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) agendas

Provide the delegates with a self-development opportunity through skill building exercises

Promote networking and interchange between young people, while giving the delegates an opportunity to work on global issues

Develop young people's understanding of the Commonwealth and its values.

She said the delegates would produce a communiqué that will be circulated at CHOGM and be presented to the Commonwealth Secretariat, giving the young people of the Commonwealth a chance to have their opinions heard by the heads of Government.

"I know that some items from the communiqué do get adapted as policy, so it's an opportunity to have a voice and to try to influence change," she said.

"The issues I want to put on the agenda and have addressed are extreme poverty, environmental protection and family violence.

"The government needs to step in to help the most vulnerable. We can do it as individuals and we can do it here at council – we all have a role to play. The idea is to think global, but act local," she said.

The Commonwealth has 54 member countries, representing 30% of the world's population and Simone says it's time to use that strength to make a difference.

"That's why I'm excited to be attending the CYF because it's a chance to meet like-minded individuals and it gives all of us the potential to exercise influence."