Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training today launched the 2015 National Youth Week.

National Youth Week has run annually since 2000 as a joint initiative between the Australian, state, territory and local governments, and aims to celebrate the achievements of young Australians. It will run from Friday 10 April to Sunday 19 April in 2015.

This year’s theme ‘It starts with us’ was chosen by the National Planning Group Young Members from suggestions submitted by young people across Australia.

“National Youth Week encourages all Australians to celebrate youth, to recognise the positive contributions that young people make to their communities and provides opportunities for all young people to voice concerns or issues relevant to them,” Senator Ryan said.

“Young people are out every day doing great things; you need only look at the local surfing club, the local CFA, the Scouts, the Girl Guides, even political groups to see young people volunteering their time to make positive change in their communities.

“There are many young people out in local communities doing good things, and this is one event that aims to celebrate that,” Senator Ryan said.

Senator Ryan said he looked forward to the week including the Australian Government’s National Youth Awards presentation on 16 April in Brisbane.

“The National Youth Awards will see young Australians recognised across seven award categories – six of which recognise individuals. They are: Youth Safety Award, Youth Courage Award, Youth Culture and Diversity Award, Youth Employment Award, Youth Health Award and the Youth Leadership Award.

“A seventh category, the Youth in Media Award, recognises the contribution made by Australian journalists and media organisations in positively portraying young people in the media.”

For further information on what’s happening in your local area, visit www.youthweek.com.