Youth Minister Ian Hunter is encouraging young South Australians to consider registering for the next Youth Parliament.

Applications close on 24 February for the YMCA Youth Parliament 2012 to be held during the July school holidays.

“Youth Parliament is a great opportunity for young people from across the State to see what it’s like to be at the heart of the political process,” Minister Hunter said.

“It’s a unique forum for them to express their views and have the opportunity to develop their public speaking and leadership skills.”

The Youth Parliament is run by young people and is open to those aged between 16-25 years.

It provides opportunities to gain SACE accreditation and recognition for activities contributing to the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Minister Hunter says participants from around the State will join a week-long residential camp in Adelaide, including three sitting days at Parliament House.

“During that time, they will learn about how Parliament operates, how to develop bills and learn skills in public speaking and how to work with the media,” he said.

“The Bills passed during Youth Parliament will then be formally presented to me, as the Minister for Youth.”

The program is managed by the YMCA and supported by the Government of South Australia through the Office for Youth.

More than 1,000 young people having participated in the annual event since its inception 17 years ago.