Kate-Anna Williams

Kate-Anna Williams is the National Youth Week Western Australia Young Member.

What is National Youth Week?

National Youth Week is a week of celebration! Youth friendly events take place all around the nation. It is a time for young people to stand up and launch themselves into different activities and passions.

How did you get involved and what do you do in your role as a member of the planning group?

I got involved in NYW through a self-nomination process in September 2006. I have been doing a lot of volunteer and community work revolving around youth for a number of years, and therefore could not pass up the opportunity to nominate to get involved. My role on the planning group has been to meet with the Young Members from other states to define exactly what NYW means to all of us, and then channel those feelings into creating a slogan, and accompanying promotional material. I am also involved in promoting NYW in W.A.

What does taking action mean to you?

Not being passive about issues that I feel are important. As a young person, I am not content with being called a leader of tomorrow. I think it is important to become involved in the things I care about, and show that I, and every other young person, am indeed leaders of today.

What are some hot local issues in your area?

The lack of activities for young people became an issue in my area. This led to anti social behavior such as Graffiti and Loitering. we are working on fixing this problem with the opening of some fantastic local youth centres, engaging committees for young people to become involved in, as well as great outdoor venues such as skate parks to promote a healthy lifestyle.

What issues are you passionate about? Have you acted on them?

I am extremely passionate about youth community involvement. I am currently chairing a group in my city called "The Melville All Ages Committee". We are a group of young people who put on concerts and events in our local youth space, organizing everything ourselves. This gives young people the opportunity to become involved in planning something for other young people, learning new skills along the way. It also allows young performers a chance to show off their talent! 

What advice would you give to young people who want to make a difference in the world?

Do not be scared to raise your voice when you care about as issue! Get involved in your local community, because everything world-changing idea has to have its grass roots.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? How do you think we could make it happen?

I would give everybody patience and tolerance for each others cultures. I believe that understanding and compassion are the two most important qualities a person can have. I believe again that this needs to start on a local community level. We all need to encourage tolerance amongst our peers, no matter what age we are.