Youth Parliament Oodgeroo member Madeline Lilly-Howe talks about her experience during Queensland Youth Parliament residential sitting week

She is in her fourth year studying a bachelors of arts/laws at the University of Queensland, majoring in history and political science.

Ms Lilly-Howe said she believed that the Redlands community can be improved by the work of engaged and hardworking politicians.

"Politics is a key instrument through which the lives of ordinary people can be drastically improved. The prospect of helping individuals to have a fair chance in life and to enjoy a decent standard of living inspired me to get into politics," she said.

The 25th YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament was held earlier this month with 93 members from all over the state logging on via Zoom to take part in residential sitting week.

Ms Lilly-Howe sits on the youth and women committee in Youth Parliament.

"I strongly believe in justice and fairness for all. I believe that we should structure our society to allow all people to have access to opportunities and a chance to succeed.

"I believe in social justice, human rights and protecting the environment by taking meaningful climate change action," she said.

Ms Lilly-Howe grew up in the Redlands and attended Cleveland District State High School where she was school captain in 2016.

"During residential sitting week I learnt the intricacies of how the Queensland Parliament functions day-to-day in creating and debating bills and in delivering member's statements. The experience was very educational and inspiring... having the chance to debate and pass our very own Bill on foster care reform that we developed throughout the year.

She said it was important for young people to make their voices heard to ensure that policy was shaped in the best interests of future generations.

Ms Lilly-Howe named former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam as her role model as she believed he demonstrated that achieving positive change is possible.