The Format

The Forum is designed as a four-day program held at the end of a sitting week in Canberra. It is made up a variety of activities beginning late Thursday morning and concluding before lunch on Sunday. Accommodation is at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, the city's premier hotel.

While the specific program varies from year to year, it generally includes a day spent in Parliament House, Keynote addresses from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Keynote addresses by other inspiring men and women from varying walks of life, seminar groups run by MP's and community leaders, small group discussions, a local community service project, a sport and recreation afternoon, and an end of Forum dance night!

One dimension of the Forum program that is always significant is the time spent in small groups. They provide delegates with an opportunity to make close friendships that often endure long after returning home. These like-minded friendships often become a peer support network that helps to reinforce the things learned at the Forum. Small Groups are often challenging and require people to be willing to participate and learn to communicate with others who may think differently. Sometimes the most challenging small groups produce the most enduring relationships.

Please note: the Forum has been designed as an integrated four-day experience. It is not possible to only participate for sections of it. If conflicting commitments preclude you from attending the entire Forum, it may be better to seek nomination in another year.