Student represents NT at youth parliament

21-Nov-2016

Law student Mark Munnich at the 8th Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Canada. Photo: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

A Charles Darwin University law student has represented the Northern Territory and experienced the workings of parliamentary democracy at an international conference in Canada.

Mark Munnich joined more than 60 young people from Commonwealth countries at the recent 8th Commonwealth Youth Parliament.

Mark said he gained insight into processes and proceedings of a Commonwealth parliament while taking part in mock debates and question time at the Parliament of British Columbia.

He said he took the role of the Indigenous and Cultural Affairs Minister during the event and spoke about issues affecting Indigenous Territorians.

“I found that many Commonwealth nations shared similar issues to the NT, including health and education,” Mark said.

“The Commonwealth Youth Parliament taught me about advocacy and how to approach political issues respectfully.”

Earlier this year, the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory selected Mark to represent the NT at the event.

He also has been selected by the NT Government to be an ambassador at 2017 National Youth Week, along with Master of Emergency Disaster Management student Jessie Spargo.

National Youth Week is a national annual event that celebrates young people aged 12 to 25 and will run from March 31 until April 9, 2017.