Gerald Lynch
Hume’s very own Ammar Mahmoud is one of 20 young leaders making up this year’s Victorian Youth Congress (VYC).
The group is composed of members aged 12 to 25, making 14-year-old Ammar one of the youngest members.
As a 14-year-old from an Egyptian background, Ammar migrated to Australia in 2018 with his family searching for new opportunities.
Since then, he has been involved in advocating for greater youth involvement in decision-making processes and challenging the perception of youth roles in society.
Ammar attends Elevation Secondary College, and is one of the brightest students in Melbourne’s north, last year he won Melbourne Talent Quest’s best project in Australia and the Education Minister’s Award for FLIP (Financial Literacy in Practice).
He said the experience showed off his dedication to academic excellence and problem-solving skills, and reinforced his belief in the potential of youth to make meaningful contributions to society.
“My passion for empowering youth and creating positive change led me to apply for the Victorian Youth Congress, where I hope to be a voice for young people across Victoria,” he said.
“During my term, I am committed to advocating for initiatives that foster early career planning and address issues such as youth empowerment and access to educational and career opportunities.
“I believe that by amplifying the voices of young people, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.”
Kalkallo MP Ros Spence has very high praise for Ammar.
“Ammar is a highly valued and engaged member of the Kalkallo Youth Advisory Council,” she said.
“I am thrilled that he has been selected as a member of the Victorian Youth Congress. This is a very well deserved appointment.”
Youth Minister Natalie Suleyman said the congress was an important program to empower the brightest young minds in the state.
“Young people are the future of this state, and it’s essential that they have a voice in policies and programs that will continue to impact their lives into the future,” she said.
“While we still haven’t picked our main theme for the year, we want to really focus on making real change for youth and not just having youth input their feedback but rather implement action.”
The VYC will meet monthly throughout the year, giving them time to work on various projects aligning with the 2022-27 youth strategy.
