CANBERRA: The second edition of the ANC-AU Youth Advocates Program – the Armenian National Committee of Australia's special political advocacy program for young Armenian-Australians – will take place in Canberra on 27-28 November 2019.

Last year, the inaugural ANC-AU Youth Advocates Program saw around 20 young Armenian-Australian tertiary-age students from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth and Auckland learn and practice the art of lobbying and debate, meet with dozens of Australia's political leaders and more at Parliament House in Canberra. 


[Video Highlights of 2018 Youth Advocates]

This year, the peak Armenian-Australian public affairs body has once again invited the greater youth community through the community's youth and student organisations – including the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia, the Armenian Students Association of NSW (as well as student associations within USYD, UNSW, Macquarie),  the Armenian Church Youth Association, the Armenian General Benevolent Union Youth Group, Homenetmen Scouts and Hamazkaine Dance Groups – to sign up for the 2019 program (click here for form).

ANC-AU Administrator Sarine Soghomonian – an alum of the ANC-AU Youth Advocates Program from 2018 who has ended up working for the organisations – said the program was "a great success".



"This program is a unique opportunity for young individuals to join the ANC-AU team in Canberra to explore the workings of our political system, and the integral role that advocacy plays within it," Soghomonian said.

"The program aims to offer Armenian-Australian youth the opportunity to interact with other like-minded individuals to discuss matters of public interest with our nation's leaders."

Soghomonian added: "Over the course of two days, Youth Advocates will be informed and encouraged to form and exchange meaningful dialogue on issues that concern our community, and to gather, articulate and communicate their thoughts and opinions."

The ANC-AU Youth Advocates Program of 2019 will feature:

• A two day trip to the nation's capital Canberra, with fellow Armenian-Australian youth, as well as members of the Armenian National Committee of Australia National Board, Office, and soon-to-be-announced guests;
  
  
• An Advocacy Workshop, where professionals from the ANC-AU will pass on theoretical and practical advocacy tips;
  
  
• A Mock Parliamentary Discussion at Parliament House, on a topic of national relevance, moderated by actual Parliamentarians;
  
  
• Mock Advocacy sessions with actual Members of Parliament and Senators, who have kindly agreed to received our ANC-AU Young Advocates and grill them on their assigned topic;
  
  
• Intro to and Attendance at Parliamentary Question Time;
  
  
• Rubbing shoulders with MPs, Senators and Staffers from the Australian Parliament.