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Event to Put Focus on Young Pacific Voices
28th June 2011
A free public event, organised by UNICEF New Zealand and the Auckland University Centre for Pacific Studies, will focus on current challenges facing young people in the Pacific. This is your chance to learn about youth perspectives on issues like climate change and why the voices of young Pacific Islanders must be heard.0 Comments
The speakers will be Pacific youth advocates Ms Merewalesi Nailatikau, UNICEF’s first Regional Ambassador for the Pacific, and Ms Sainimere Veitata, Co-chair of the Econesian Society at the University of the South Pacific.
As Pacific leaders gather in Auckland this September for the Pacific Islands Forum, UNICEF NZ will be calling for greater attention to and investment in young people’s futures. With more than half of the population of the Pacific under the age of 24, the concerns of the region’s young people must be heard by decision makers at this crucial time.
The event will take place oin Monday 18 July at 6pm at Fale Pasifika, Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Auckland, 20 Wynyard Street.
The event is free but please RSVP
About the Speakers
Fiji based Merewalesi Nailatikau, 26, is the first UNICEF Regional Ambassador for the Pacific. The former Miss South Pacific has spearheaded many youth related initiatives and campaigns in the Pacific including the Climate Project, focusing on building the capacities of individuals around the globe to promote climate change awareness. She is also actively involved in the White Ribbon Safe Motherhood initiative and launched a recent suite of UNICEF reports on HIV and AIDS in the Pacific. Mere is a Post Graduate student at the University of the South Pacific in Suva.
Sainmere Veitata is passionate about environmental issues and the need for young people to play a leadership role in environmental management. She is co-chair of the Econesian Society - a group of students from the University of the South Pacific who aim to develop skilled Pacific Island environmental leaders through providing practical awareness and skills in environmental management.
