West Arnhem Youth Leadership Summit

In the heart of West Arnhem Land, a region celebrated for its rich culture and breathtaking landscapes, the 2024 West Arnhem Youth Leadership Summit brought together young leaders from Gunbalanya, Jabiru, Maningrida, and Warruwi for an inspiring three-day event. this summit, held in November, showcased the transformative power of youth leadership, collaboration, co-design and community-driven change. 
This year’s summit not only built on the foundations established in 2023 but introduced innovative approaches that empowered students to develop actionable ideas, share their visions with stakeholders, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. 
Each student group created a robust framework for their ideas, reflecting a deep understanding of their communities' needs and potential solutions. The hands-on inquiry approach empowered students to take ownership of their projects, ensuring long-term relevance and impact. 
A key feature of the 2024 summit was the introduction of an expo-style presentation, where students showcased their ideas to stakeholders, including West Arnhem Regional Council Elected Members, Aboriginal Corporations, the Mayor of West Arnhem, and representatives from organisations such as the Department of Education, Red Lily Health Board, NORFORCE, and more. This interactive format allowed: 
• Students to build confidence through multiple presentations; 
• Stakeholders to engage deeply with students’ ideas, asking questions and offering guidance; 
• Youth to develop critical public speaking and problem-solving skills, positioning them to advocate for their ideas back in their communities; and 
• Students took the Expo displays back to their communities to present to the Local Authority meetings and other influential stakeholders. This is an opportunity for other providers in communities to strategically and financially support the actions and activities suggested by the youth. 

The 2024 West Arnhem Youth Leadership Summit achieved remarkable outcomes: 
Enhanced Leadership Skills: Students developed confidence, communication, and teamwork abilities. 
Actionable Ideas: Community-focused solutions were presented and refined for real-world implementation.
Collaboration with Stakeholders: Presentations engaged key regional leaders, ensuring support and alignment with local strategies. 
Sustainable Impacts: Teachers gained evidence to support students in completing the Stage 1 South Australia Certificate of Education (SACE Year 11) subject, ensuring the long-term educational benefit.
This project is a testament to collaboration, made possible with funding from National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and the co-design of the West Arnhem Regional Council, Youth Engagement Project, and the NT Department of Education. 
Additional in-kind support was provided by the ERA Community Partnership Fund, with contributions from NORFORCE, Icon Sports Northern Territory, Kakadu Air, Gunbalanya Air, Kakadu Cultural Tours and Team Health. 
VAMP TV joined the program, featuring the West Arnhem Youth Leadership Summit on Episode 182. 
Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative, attended the presentations in Jabiru and in community and most importantly, to the young leaders who remind us of the power of youth voice in shaping the future.