Media Releases

25 Mar 2008 - Delegates announced for 2020 Youth Summit

The Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, today announced the names of the 100 outstanding young Australians who will help shape the nation's future at the Rudd Government's 2020 Youth Summit.

Ms Ellis said delegates were drawn from across the community, including high schools, universities, industry, the arts and small business.

"It was fantastic to witness such a huge response of over 1200 submissions to our call for nominations last month," Ms Ellis said.

"The quality and diversity of the delegates will bring a fresh and innovative outlook to the task of improving our country's future."

Delegates include:

Nicholas Rokkas, 15 years old, from NSW
Nicholas is the youngest delegate selected to participate in the Youth 2020 Summit. He was named the 2007 Sustainable Living Champion after volunteering his time to work on several projects with a particular focus on the environment.

Tim Goodwin, 24 years old, from VIC
A former member of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Group, Tim is very interested in the representation of indigenous communities and has worked for a number of years on youth projects. In 2002 Tim was part of the Australian delegation to the United Nations General Special Session on Children in New York.

Mohammad Al-Khafaji, 17 years old, from SA
Mohammad is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Software) at Adelaide University. As a refugee who has resettled in Australia he has been awarded for his academic success in science and mathematics. Mohammad is keen to see a higher level of youth participation in the government sector.

Felicity Harris 24 years old, from TAS
As a Regional Arts Development Officer Felicity works with a broad cross section of the community. Felicity, as a young mother, understands the economic and social pressures that come with raising a family and works on projects to engage rural mothers in the community. Winner of the Future Leader of Australia Award in 2001 she has spent time in Estonia working with rural children living in poverty.

The 2020 Youth Summit will be held in Canberra on 12 and 13 April, and give delegates aged 15-24 an opportunity to tackle 10 critical challenges for Australia's future.

Ms Ellis said 10 participants from the 2020 Youth Summit along with co-chair, Hugh Evans, will be invited to attend Australia 2020 on 19 April, further strengthening young Australians' input into an important forum on the future of the nation.

"The Rudd Government is committed to giving young people a stronger voice in government," Ms Ellis said.

Young people who missed out on attending the 2020 Youth Summit can still have their voice heard by making a direct submission to Australia 2020 online by visiting the 2020 Youth Summit website.

The full list of 2020 Youth Summit delegates is also available at this website.