Teens Selected for UNICEF NZ Youth Congress

Students from across New Zealand have been chosen to represent the voice of our youth at UNICEF NZ’s first ever Youth Congress held in Manukau, Auckland from 15-17 July.

The Congress is being organised by UNICEF NZ for 50 young New Zealanders (16-17 years) to come together and learn more about the world, share ideas about how to make a difference and gain the skills needed to take action.

Abigail, who attends Nelson College for Girls, will be one of many South Island students making the trip up to Auckland to share her views and participate at the Congress.  Abigail is particularly passionate about women’s rights.

“I am extremely passionate about the empowerment and education of women, because I believe that resolving these issues will reduce many of the problems which exist in underdeveloped countries”.

She adds, “Young people have a fresh and new perspective on the world; unlike older generations we are not confined to long-established thought processes and can see different solutions to the most serious issues”.

Dominic O’Connor, who attends Rathkeale College in Masterton, is particularly concerned about environmental issues such as global warming.  He says that the Congress will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about how to make a difference:

“I am a strong believer in preventing or minimising the effects of global warming. I think that a more stable environment would help to alleviate other world issues like poverty by creating more efficient food production to help lower food prices. Young people are usually the ones who think outside the box and find bigger and better solutions to problems”.

Pip Bennett, Advocacy Officer at UNICEF NZ, is delighted the event has inspired so many young New Zealanders to get involved and believes it is evident that New Zealand’s youth are engaged and interested in global issues.

“We are so impressed with the calibre of applications we received from young people across New Zealand.  The Congress is just one way of giving young people a platform to be heard - these students are our future and we are very excited to hear what they have to say on current global issues.”

As well as including training on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the programme will include a practical focus on media skills and how to use communications for advocacy.  Budding young journalists will be particularly excited to learn more from TV3 newsreader and UNICEF Ambassador Mike McRoberts who will be appearing at the Congress.

The event, which is part funded by UNESCO, will have a specific focus on development issues in the Pacific to coincide with the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in September.  Key speakers from the Pacific will address the Congress to provide an insight into the most pressing issues facing the South Pacific region such as climate change and poverty.

Read more about the Congress