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Call for broader political debate

23 July 2008

Thom Woodroofe in the front of the White House in Washington DC.

Monash undergraduate student Thom Woodroofe has returned from three weeks in the US where he met with youth organisations and think tanks about his new organisation called Left Right Think Tank.

The Bachelor of Arts (Global) student has developed Left Right to give young Australians the opportunity to contribute to the policies that shape their future.

The trip provided him with the opportunity to learn from the experiences of similar organisations including the Junior State America Foundation, Pacific Research Institute, the Global Youth Action Network, the Young Democrats, the Young Republicans, and the US State Department.

He also attended the annual conference of the Roosevelt Institution, alongside Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones of Ohio, and participated in a breakfast with Congressional Youth Leaders and members of the White House Press Corps at the National Press Club in Washington DC.

Mr Woodroofe said his degree, in particular his focus on international studies and politics, had helped shape his objectives for the think tank.

"My studies have given me a greater appreciation for the value of debate in politics; it is the bedrock of a healthy, progressive society," Mr Woodroofe said.

"Young people have a great interest and passion for politics and policy and want to be able to give reasoned, well-researched arguments to support their views."

"Unfortunately, no Australian think tanks recognise the strength of young people in the ideas debate."

"Through Left Right, we want to empower young people to contribute more fully to their community by providing avenues for their voices to be heard at a local, state and federal government level."

Left Right is currently building its executive before a planned public launch in early 2009.

For further information, including details of volunteer positions at Left Right, visit the Left Right Think Tank website.

Find out about the Bachelor of Arts (Global) degree at Monash visit the Faculty of Arts website.