MEDIA RELEASE
20 OCTOBER 2010

Aucklanders Urged To Embrace Super City
Via Outward Bound Ethnic Course

Outward Bound in association with the Human Rights Commission, is offering young Aucklanders the chance to embrace their new super city, with a course that explores cultural diversity.

Based on Outward Bound’s Classic 21 day course, the Southern Cross course will aim to foster greater understanding between different cultures in the Auckland region.

Human Rights Commission Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres, said while participants will develop personally, they will also increase their understanding of the cultural backgrounds of fellow group members.

"Course participants will represent Auckland's diverse multicultural society and will help to build a multi-cultural network of emerging young leaders."

Outward Bound Chief Executive, Trevor Taylor, said course participants will take part in a wide range of activities including sailing, kayaking and tramping.

“While participants will gain a lot from challenging themselves in the outdoors, the real focus is about enhancing the progression and success of diverse communities within the Auckland region.

“Auckland is a hugely multi-cultural city so it is important to encourage cultural exploration and expand knowledge and appreciation of all cultures. With the advent of the new super city and increased need for all sectors of the community to work together cohesively, the timing couldn’t be better for encouraging participation in the Southern Cross course.”

Past Southern Cross participant Finland Tan said taking part in the course boosted her confidence and gave her a greater appreciation of other cultures.

“Attending Outward Bound helped me to treat obstacles as challenges and face them with enthusiasm instead of a negative attitude,” Finland said.

“While completing the course, I developed as a person because of the mental and physical challenges that I faced. I also learnt a lot about myself - in particular my strengths and weaknesses – and a great deal about other cultures and ethnicities.”

The Southern Cross course runs from 31 January – 20 February 2011 and is fully funded and open to Aucklanders, aged 18-26 years, from a variety of different ethnicities. The closing date for applications is 29 October 2010. For further information call 0800 OUTWARD.
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