Liverpool has marked an important milestone for the city: the tenth anniversary of the 2168 Children’s Parliament, a program that has become a national example of how to meaningfully involve young people in civic life.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said that since 2016, the 2168 Children’s Parliament has given students aged 9 to 12 a formal, structured voice in shaping their community.
“This Parliament isn’t symbolic. It is a genuine deliberative democracy model for children, and over the past decade, its impact has been real,” Mayor Mannoun said.
“Children from Liverpool have influenced decisions by Council on parks, playgrounds, safety and open space.
“Their ideas have driven community initiatives and contributed to state and federal policy consultations.”
Each year around 44 “parliamentarians” are selected from 11 primary schools across Liverpool who conduct surveys, research issues that matter to their peers, and present their findings at sittings in Liverpool City Council Chambers.
Mayor Mannoun said the program has reshaped the way Council engages with young people.
“The Parliament has boosted children’s confidence, public speaking skills and leadership capabilities, strengthened families, schools and the wider community, he said.
“Some of the major actions inspired by children’s recommendations include having a say in our Child Safe Policy and Behavioural Standard for Keeping Children Safe, healthy-eating canteen programs, breakfast clubs, anti-bullying initiatives, improvements to public spaces, and infrastructure proposals such as lighting and traffic-calming measures.
“Key issues raised by the children in recent sittings include safety, the natural environment, cost-of-living pressures and road safety.
“For ten years, this Parliament has shown what happens when we take children seriously — we get better policy, stronger communities and young people who know their voice matters,” he said.
“Liverpool Council is proud to have pioneered a model that empowers children, especially in areas that face disadvantage, and gives them a platform to shape their own futures.”
Background
The 2168 Children’s Parliament is a partnership between Liverpool City Council and Mission Australia under the Australian Government funded ‘2168’ Communities for Children Programme.
Established in 2016, it is designed to give young people who do not yet vote a meaningful voice in shaping their community. Created through the Strong Children, Strong Communities project, the Parliament was made possible with funding from the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services under the Communities for Children initiative.
Mission Australia, through its Miller Pathways program, has been a key partner from the beginning, working alongside Liverpool City Council to design, coordinate and deliver the program.
The Parliament brings together representatives aged 9–12 from primary schools across the 2168 postcode and Lurnea Public School. Its structure is deliberately modelled on real democratic processes: participants consult their peers, identify local issues, research solutions, and present their findings during formal parliamentary sittings held in Liverpool Council Chambers. An Ambassadors Panel, including civic leaders, academics and child-rights advocates, listens to their recommendations and responds directly, ensuring their ideas influence genuine decision-making.
The program’s purpose is to foster active citizenship, amplify emerging voices, and embed their perspectives in Council planning. Over the years, it has been strengthened by the involvement of partners such as the NSW Department of Education, Western Sydney University, and other Ambassadors.
