MEMBER for the Central Wheatbelt Mia Davies encouraged young people to participate in events being hosted as part of National Youth Week, most of which are being co-ordinated by local governments in collaboration with other non-government organisations in the community.
"These youth-led events and activities are being run specifically for young people," Ms Davies said.
"These events bring together aspects of leadership, community-mindedness, participation and inclusiveness in a generation that is the future of our state and country."
She said this year's Youth Week theme - Our Voice, Our Impact captured the importance of youth contributing and shaping the social, political, economic and environmental world we live in.
"The strength of youth today provides good reason to be excited about our direction and the ability of young people to significantly impact the future," Ms Davies said.
"I'm confident the towns and communities of the Central Wheatbelt will continue to prosper under the future leadership of today's young people."
This year $80,000 in National Youth Week grants of up to $1000 were provided through the Department of Local Government and Communities and Federal Department of Education for youth week events.
Local events include the Shire of Dowerin's masquerade ball, the Shire of Narembeen's youth week live, the Shire of Goomalling's Dare 2BU and the Shire of Merredin's skate program.
National Youth Week was launched in 2000 and has every year taken on a different theme reflecting the strength of youth in Australia. In WA week-long celebrations are launched in a regional location every second year.
There are more than 480,000 young people aged 12 to 25 in WA, representing one-fifth of the state's population.
For a full list of Youth Week events in WA go to www.communities.wa.gov.au/youth.
