The Jersey Youth Assembly gives young people a real voice in shaping the island’s future. Bringing together students from across Jersey, the Assembly encourages informed debate, active citizenship and youth‑led ideas on the issues that matter most to the next generation. Through open discussion and collaboration with States Members, the JYA helps young islanders understand how decisions are made and empowers them to speak up, get involved and create positive change locally and around the world.
Zahara Noho, Executive Group Member of the Jersey Youth Assembly shares her reflections on the "Youth Driving Change" event:
On the 19th of March, Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) hosted an inspiring evening focused on an important message: young people were already driving meaningful change, both locally and globally.
As a member of the Jersey Youth Assembly (JYA), I was proud to take part in this event, which brought together young voices, international organisations, and a shared commitment to global development.
The evening began with an engaging and thoughtful presentation by Ashley Good and Penelope Deschamps, who set the tone by exploring the role of youth in international development and why meaningful participation mattered. Their presentation helped frame the wider discussion, highlighting that youth involvement needed to go beyond consultation and instead centre on genuine leadership, influence, and partnership.
This was followed by a Q&A panel discussion featuring Restless Development and UNICEF, two organisations doing vital work to ensure young people were central to decision making and social change. I had the opportunity to sit on the panel alongside fellow JYA member Lewis Carroll, where we answered questions and shared reflections from a youth perspective.
The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including how young people could influence policy, the barriers that sometimes prevented youth voices from being heard, and the importance of empowering young people in global development spaces. What stood out most was the shared understanding that youth participation was not an optional extra - it was essential. Young people were already contributing ideas, leadership, and solutions within their communities and on an international scale.
The audience engagement throughout the evening was particularly encouraging. The questions were thoughtful and challenging, showing a genuine interest in global issues and in how individuals - especially young people - could play an active role in addressing them. It was clear that the event had sparked wider conversations that would continue beyond the room.
Events like this demonstrated the importance of the work done by Jersey Overseas Aid in creating spaces where global perspectives and local voices could come together. By supporting open dialogue and meaningful youth engagement, JOA reinforced its commitment to inclusive international development and to empowering the next generation of changemakers.
For me, being part of this event reaffirmed why youth representation mattered. When young people were given the opportunity to speak, question, and challenge, the conversation became stronger and more informed. I hoped the evening encouraged more young people in Jersey to get involved in global and local discussions, whether through the JYA, community initiatives, or by engaging with organisations like JOA.
