Make it 16 Movement Building Gathering
Join the campaign fighting for young people’s right to vote
Applications are closed.
Successful applicants will be notified in late March to organise travel and accommodation.
We’re excited to announce the Make it 16 movement building gathering, bringing together young people across the country who want their voices counted in politics. Join us in Canberra April 13-16 2024 to take action, forge connections and work together towards a future where every voice counts in shaping our democracy.
The Make It 16 Movement Building Gathering is a 4 day event for new and existing Make It 16 campaigners to plan, upskill and take collective action. Taking place ahead of the upcoming ACT election, our gathering will be at Westwood Lodge, 15 minutes out of Canberra from April 13 to 16.
Here’s what you can expect:
- All expenses paid (food, transport and accommodation) 4 day gathering.
- Engaging workshops on campaign strategy and skill development.
- Networking opportunities with like-minded individuals.
- Taking real action to amplify our voices and influence policymakers.
- A chance to be part of a powerful movement led by passionate young people.
On the third day, we will be taking action in Canberra, connecting with supportive politicians, and making our voices heard loud and clear. Join the fight to include 16 and 17 year olds in the democratic process of voting.
Need some information for your parent or guardian?
We will be hosting a parent and guardian information night on Tuesday 12 March, 7:30-8:30pm AEDT. Register here.
Ready to apply? Great decision!
The Make it 16 Movement Building gathering is open to both people who have been involved previously in Make it 16 and those who haven’t (15-18 yo).
Applications closed 20 March.
Successful applicants will be notified in late March to organise travel and accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
The organisers and workshop facilitators at the Movement Network gathering are:
- Pablo Brait (he/him), Campaigns Director
As Campaigns Director at FYA, Pablo works to support youth-led organisations fight for and win the change they want to see in the world. An experienced campaigner and community organiser, Pablo has previously focused on stopping the expansion of the destructive coal and gas industries, working for over 15 years with organisations including Market Forces, The Nature Conservation Council of NSW and Beyond Zero Emissions. - Liyan Gao (she/her), Campaigns Manager
As the Campaign Manager at FYA, Liyan’s role is to support young people and youth-led organisations to run campaigns to create change, from campaign planning to communication strategy. Previously, Liyan has worked as a youth and community organiser at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and as an organiser at United Voice. Liyan has a Masters in Arts in political theory at Monash University. - Heather McNab (she/her), Youth Media Lead
Heather leads FYA’s Youth Media Centre where she supports and trains up young people and partner campaigns to use the media as a tool for advocacy. Previously, Heather worked in strategic communications for the Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, and as media advisor for a Teal Independent for the 2022 federal election. Heather also has a background in local government communications after starting her professional life as a journalist at the Australian Associated Press and News Corp.
We want as many people involved, however due to budget constraints and accommodation limits, there are only 20 spots available for interstate attendees, and 20 spots for ACT locals. Those who are already volunteering with Make it 16 will be given preference.
The agenda will include workshops on the campaign’s strategy, planning for future actions, and campaign up-skilling run by the FYA Youth Action team. On the third day, we will be going into Canberra to take action and meet politicians. We will be sending a more detailed agenda closer to the date.
The Make it 16 Movement Building Gathering is free for participants. Food, transport and accommodation will all be covered.
There will be on-site accommodation for all interstate participants and local participants based on availability. Transport will be organised and provided by FYA for interstate participants.
We will have a wellbeing plan and ensure to make the event as inclusive and accessible as possible. The accommodation and meeting spaces are all wheelchair accessible and have accessible bathrooms. Auslan interpreters can be provided. All participants will be given a participant form that will inform how we best support participants.
If you have any other accessibility needs or questions, please email Pablo at pablo.brait@fya.org.au.
We will be following the FYA Covid policy and have a Covid plan. We will send everyone a letter with travel information, a rapid antigen test (RAT) and N-95 face masks.
To attend the Movement Building Retreat, you need to:
- Be vaccinated against COVID-19
- Do a RAT 24 hours before you leave, with a negative result
- Not have cold or flu-like symptoms or be waiting on COVID-19 test results
- Not have recently been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
We’ll have lots of RATs with us and will ask everyone to do a RAT each morning so we can keep each other safe. We will provide masks and hand sanitisers which we encourage everyone to wear and use.
Weather permitting we will aim to run sessions outdoors when practical, and have windows and doors open to allow for good ventilation when indoors.
Developing COVID-19 symptoms during the retreat
If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms or your test is positive, you need to immediately let FYA facilitators know. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and loss or change in sense of smell or taste.
If this happens, we will need to ask you to put on a face mask, isolate at the venue and we will arrange for you to be safely transported back home as quickly as possible.
General tips and tricks for being COVID safe
- Sanitise and wash your hands frequently
- If you would like to, you can wear a facemask
- Ask permission before touching people
- Respect other people’s wishes to keep a 1.5m distance or wear a mask
- Don’t share drink bottles or cups
For more information get in contact with Pablo at pablo.brait@fya.org.au.
We are also hosting a parent and guardian information night on Tuesday 12 March, 7:30-8:30pm AEDT. Register here.