CDU students Sizol and Jemima provide invaluable perspective to the Chief Minister

Two passionate youth leaders and students from Charles Darwin University (CDU) will lead a group of young people to discuss issues close to their heart and present solutions to senior levels of the Northern Territory Government. 

Sizol Fuyana and Jemima Fernandes, both Bachelor of Law students, were appointed the Chair and Vice-Chair of the 2021 Northern Territory Youth Round Table (NTYRT) after an application and interview process, in which they demonstrated a passion for their communities and youth leadership.

The NTYRT is a program run by the Territory Families, Housing and Communities’ Office of Youth Affairs, which brings together young people aged between 15 and 25 from around the Territory to discuss youth issues, provide insights from the lens of a young person and propose solutions to policy makers including the Hon Minister Lauren Moss, Minister for Youth.

In November, the members will present their ideas and proposals to the Chief Minister, Minister for Youth, other ministers and senior government officials.

As the NTYRT Chair, Ms Fuyana said identifying important social issues affecting young people and creating solutions to support them was crucial.

“Some of the areas that we focus on include youth mental health, homelessness, Indigenous communities, multicultural communities and employment. So, there is a quite diverse range of ideas,” Ms Fuyana said.

“We are passionate about youth. It’s a great opportunity for us to connect to the community and support our peers.”

Ms Fuyana is not only chairing the program and studying, she also runs her own business called Fuyana Support, which goes into youth detention centres and works with at-risk young people.

“I was a troubled kid myself, so I really understand their experience. I want them to feel connected and supported,” she said.

Once Ms Fuyana finishes her studies at CDU, she aspires to be a youth justice lawyer in Darwin.

“I love what I do and to help other people. It’s good to use my experience and be a voice for vulnerable youth,” Ms Fuyana said.

NTYRT Vice-Chair Ms Fernandes is a CDU Student Ambassador and promotes higher education pathways to young people.

“For my round table project, I want to focus on youth mentorship. A lot of young people don’t have a role model to look up to and education is really important,” Ms Fernandes said.

“I also want to showcase youth who achieve great things and let people know that youth is very powerful. Peer support can effectively engage with young people.”

She is interested in creating a project that showcases the faces and experiences of young people in the Northern Territory, taking inspiration from ‘Humans of New York’.

“There has been a lot of misrepresentation of youth in the media, and I think the Territory can really draw people here and grow the population with some positive images,” she said.

“Never once did I think about moving away from the Northern Territory. There are so many opportunities and connections here that cannot be matched elsewhere.”

Both Ms Fuyana and Fernandes sit on the NTYRT with fellow members; Liberty Rossiter, Patrick Coleman, Gabriella Ceccato, Kiyarnie Reynolds, Tameka McMasters, Auston Bruckshaw, Kyanna Murrungun, Alina Biju, Emma King, Lithira Abeysinghe, Ruizhe Zhao and Francis Koulakis.