Legal Studies Immersion – Federal Parliament Youth Advocacy Program

A huge congratulations to Anna-Maria Sulukojian who was selected to attend the Youth Advocacy Program at Parliament House in Canberra. Anna-Maria represented Santa Sabina College in a two-day weekend political program and engaged in a variety of parliamentary roles within this real-world simulation Parliamentary Program. This authentic learning experience has given Anna-Maria a deeper understanding of the content of Year 11 Legal Studies as she applied her knowledge of democratic law making and the Australian constitution to better debate law reform.
Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student Reflection

I was recognised for my work as a Ryde Youth councillor and was selected by the ANC to represent Santa Sabina College and complete their two-day Young Advocacy Program at the Parliament of Australia. This program aims to advocate for youth political involvement and awareness in our society. 

The program included: A Day in the Life of a Politician, A Day in the Life of a Journalist, Attending Question Time, Job Shadowing a Parliamentary Staffer and My Voice, My Choice. In this last session, I presented a speech on the complex affairs of immigration in our country delivered in the building of the Old Parliament House. During this experience, I was assigned to work in the office of the Honourable Paul Fletcher MP, who is the Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy. This experience gave me the privilege to experience and better understand the responsibilities of Federal Parliamentary Ministers.

It was great to be given the opportunity to talk to various MPs and Senators, most notably Mr Julian Leeser the Member for Berowra who discussed with me the immense importance of youth involvement in Australia’s political landscape. He also shared with me his journey to being elected into the House of Representatives. Overall it was an insightful experience of which I am proud.

Anna-Maria Sulukojian
Year 11