Empowering Youth and Grassroots Advocacy
By Jeremy Kye - PAYA’s Regional Coordinator for Australia and New Zealand
My journey into youth empowerment and grassroots advocacy has been both transformative and empowering. From a shy, quiet individual hesitant to voice my thoughts, I’ve grown into an optimistic, confident young leader who believes deeply in the power of youth and grassroots initiatives to drive meaningful change. This path has been enriched not only by my experiences with PAYA but also by my volunteer roles with the YMCA Queensland, Beyond Blue, the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, and the Cancer Council. Each role has taught me the profound impact of compassionate leadership and the unique power of youth-led advocacy to address community needs.
In my early days, joining YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament was a defining moment. This program, dedicated to amplifying young Queenslanders’ voices in policy-making, gave me my first taste of structured leadership and advocacy. The YMCA’s supportive environment allowed me to develop my confidence and find my voice, learning to communicate my ideas clearly and effectively. I saw how the energy and passion of young people could shape meaningful discussions on policy and community initiatives. This experience transformed my outlook—I realised that change often begins from the ground up and that, with the right guidance, young people can be a powerful force for social progress.
Beyond my work with the YMCA, volunteering with organisations like Beyond Blue, the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, and the Cancer Council provided additional insights into the transformative power of grassroots action. Working with Beyond Blue exposed me to mental health advocacy, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being and resilience, especially among young people in which the mental health crisis has persisted over the last few years. The Refugee and Immigration Legal Service taught me the value of supporting vulnerable populations through compassionate legal advocacy, helping me understand the role youth can play in fostering inclusivity. With the Cancer Council, I had the opportunity to contribute to initiatives focused on health and community well-being. These roles have collectively shaped my approach to advocacy, teaching me that true empowerment stems from being responsive to people’s lived experiences and from acting at the community level.
These experiences culminated in my work with PAYA, where I could bring my passion for youth empowerment to a broader, regional context. Attending the PAYA 2023 Youth Leadership Summit in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, was a pivotal experience that deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the Pacific region. Immersed in discussions with young leaders from across the Pacific, I gained first-hand insight into urgent environmental concerns, particularly the pressing issues of rising sea levels and climate change, which threaten the very existence of many island nations, as these conversations underscored the importance of sustainable solutions and proactive measures to safeguard the region’s future. Critically, the summit highlighted to me the rich cultural partnerships that Australia could foster with Pacific nations, presenting a unique opportunity for collaborative initiatives grounded in mutual respect and shared goals. I am particularly inspired by the potential of youth-led partnerships to address these issues, believing that young leaders in both Australia and the Pacific bring fresh perspectives essential for lasting, positive change.
Reflecting on my evolution from a quiet individual to a confident young leader, I am reminded of the significant role that grassroots advocacy and youth empowerment have played in my growth. My various roles within the organisations I have listed have shown me the power of community-based action and the importance of listening to those we aim to serve. Through my association with PAYA, I have come to see that youth empowerment isn’t just a goal; it’s a vital pathway to creating solutions that honour the needs, values, and strengths of our communities. Now, as the Regional Coordinator for Australia and New Zealand, I am more committed than ever to youth-led advocacy throughout not just my own home, but throughout the Pacific, as I believe young people have the power to create the change that we want to see in our region. I am hopeful that, as young leaders, we can inspire one another to address the challenges facing our communities and continue to drive youth-led change across the Pacific.
