There is only one week to go to apply to be part of the Asia Pacific Youth Conference held for the first time in Australia, right here in Bass Coast.

One hundred and thirty young leaders from 15 different countries will come to Phillip Island from 18-24 July for the 17th Asia Pacific Youth Conference.

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community Strengthening Manager, Antoinette Mitchell, said Council would sponsor two local applicants to attend.

“The conference is open to people aged between 18 and 35,” said Ms Mitchell.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young leaders in our community to get involved.

“We have some remarkable and passionate young people in our community and I encourage them to apply. Council is funding two of the five Bass Coast positions which are valued at $500 each.

“People attending this conference are from a range of countries including Japan, Taiwan, Soloman Islands, India, Pakistan, South Africa and South America.

“There will be guest speakers, workshops and team building activities all aimed at sharing ideas and working out the best ways to address social issues affecting communities,” continued Ms Mitchell.

Bass Coast residents interested in applying for the two Council sponsored positions can visit our website for an application form.  A hard copy of the application is available at Customer Service Centres or by calling us on 1300 BCOAST (226 278). Applications close Friday, 1 July.

General applicants wanting to register for the conference should go to www.apyc2011.org or follow the links from Council’s website.

The conference is organised by Initiatives of Change www.iofc.org.