CDU students represent the Territory at National Leadership Forum in Canberra

CDU is supporting three students to attend the National Leadership Forum taking place in Canberra this week in a bid to explore and expand their leadership capabilities.   

Three CDU students, Shanae Kuo (23) and Jaiden McGregor (24) from Darwin and Jubilee Weo (22) from Yirrkala will travel to Canberra to attend the forum, which will bring together young leaders from across Australia and the Pacific region with Members of Parliament, business leaders and other young leaders.

For First Nations student Mr McGregor, who is in his final semester of a Bachelor of Arts at CDU, the Forum will provide an opportunity to discuss the various issues facing Northern Australia, to improve aspects of life in the region.

“The Forum will provide me with an opportunity to surround myself with people from different backgrounds and discuss the uniqueness of Northern Australia, the issues we face up here and what we can do to build connections and make a real change,” Mr McGregor said. 

Ms Kuo, who is currently undertaking a BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management after completing a Bachelor of Education Secondary in 2021, said the forum will provide an opportunity to discuss important matters affecting the Northern Territory, particularly youth engagement.

Bachelor of Nursing student Ms Weo, is an Aspire student alumni who has been involved in many CDU projects, including as a coach in the Aspire Program and the Bidjipidji Camp.

CDU’s Director Student Engagement Sarah Fletcher said all three students would be great ambassadors for CDU at the Forum due to the leadership roles they were already undertaking at the university.  

“The National Leadership Forum is the perfect opportunity for our CDU students to network with other leaders and politicians to enhance their leadership skills,” Ms Fletcher said.

“The Forum will help to put CDU and indeed the NT on the map and I am looking forward to seeing what our students learn from the Forum and what this experience can bring to CDU.”

The Forum, for young people aged 18-26 years, is hosted by Federal Parliamentarians and is co-chaired by Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling and Federal Member for Berowra Julian Leeser.

Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling said he is proud to be the co-chair of the National Leadership Forum, a fantastic opportunity for young Australians to gather and hone their skills.

“I’m pleased to be addressing them on leadership and lessons learned throughout a 30-year career that has included Defence, the not-for-profit and private sectors, and now federal government,” Mr Gosling said.

“I hope the attendees take every opportunity to explore how they want to contribute to a better Australia.

“I’m delighted that there’s a contingent attending from the Territory, because young Territory leaders are resilient, culturally aware, and innovative, a bridge not only to First Nations Australians but also into our Indo-Pacific neighbourhood.”

The National Leadership Forum is held from September 15-18 at the Hyatt Hotel and Australian Parliament House in Canberra, ACT.