The UN Children’s Fund has started a nationwide selection process for candidates who can be a voice for issues facing young people both in New Zealand and overseas.

Successful candidates will be announced just ahead of the International Day of Youth on 12 August, which also marks the start of the UN International Year of Youth. Broadly, the Year aims to encourage dialogue and understanding across generations and promote the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and freedoms, and solidarity.

Applicants for the UNICEF Youth Ambassador programme need to be aged between 16-17 years and will complete an extensive application process including submitting ideas about how to promote ‘dialogue and mutual understanding’ during the Year of Youth. Along with having the chance to implement their own advocacy ideas, the youth ambassadors will engage in public activities to support UNICEF’s work on behalf of children and young people. This could include writing a regular blog, researching youth opinions, and public speaking.

UNICEF NZ Advocacy Manager - International, Vicki Soanes, says that the youth ambassador programme is an exciting opportunity for young people to take a key role in raising awareness about youth issues across the board.

“UNICEF is widely acknowledged as a leading global voice for children, whether through supporting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, helping children in emergencies and disasters, or working in long-term development contexts to improve children’s life chances.

“It is also vitally important to advance the full and effective participation of youth in all aspects of society. The youth ambassador programme is a very practical way to engage young people, help them to find their own voices, and draw attention to the issues children face both in New Zealand and the developing world.”

Read more information about the UNICEF Youth Ambassador programme including how to apply. Applications close 19 July.