YMCA HB taking lead in empowering local youth

Monday, 28 March 2011, 4:23 pm
Press Release: YMCA

28 March 2011
MEDIA RELEASE

YMCA HB taking lead in empowering local youth

Leaders of organisations working with youth in Hawke’s Bay are being urged to work more collaboratively in order to improve the lot of Hawke’s Bay youth.

A breakfast networking function is being organised by YMCA Hawke’s Bay and over 200 people who head up and manage youth services have been invited to a presentation by Marcus Akuhata-Brown at the Assembly Rooms, Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings on Tuesday 5 April.

Mr Akuhata-Brown is a recognised educator and communicator working with youth programmes around the world and in New Zealand. He will address the gathering on how building bridges can empower communities.

YMCA Hawke’s Bay Board President, Eileen von Dadelszen says her organisation had a number of different programmes geared to meeting the needs of children and youth in the community and while these were successful, there was a sense of working in isolation.

“We know there a many other programmes and initiatives having positive impact in the lives of the young in our community, but the exact details are not known. We felt there is a need for communication between organisations who are all working in the same field and rather than just acknowledge that, we wanted to do something constructive to address it,” says Mrs von Dadelszen.

“As part of our action, we are setting up a database of all those working within the youth sector and will distribute that freely with others, and undertake to keep it maintained.”

Even if organisations cannot attend the breakfast function, they are being urged to email details to YMCA Hawke’s Bay so they can be compiled into the database (admin@ymcahb.org.nz)

The breakfast, being chaired by Lawrence Yule, Mayor of Hastings, is being sponsored by YMCA Hawke’s Bay and supported by Hawke’s Bay Opera House and GEON Print. Guests are only being charged $20 to cover their breakfast.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON MARCUS AHUKATA-BROWN

Building Bridges Empowering Communities
Marcus will tell his inspiring story of how glass lids of low expectation and achievement were lifted off his life and how through positive encouragement, intuitive goal setting and having the courage to break out of comfort zones, led to a life of excitement, adventure and purpose.

He will offer suggestions for how we can build the bridges necessary to empower youth in our Hawke’s Bay community.

Marcus Akuhata-Brown grew up on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

His father is from Te Whanau o Tuwhakairiora of Te Araroa on the East Cape, also the tribes of Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngati Paoa. His mother is a fifth generation New Zealander with European ancestry.

An experienced educator and gifted communicator, Marcus has led a number of innovative programmes around the world. In New Zealand his work has focused on addressing the learning and developmental needs of youth at risk and young offenders.

From 1996 to 2004 Marcus travelled all over the world as an international representative and delegate to multilateral meetings. Marcus was elected to Head the Commonwealth Youth Caucus a position he held for three years and was appointed as a Director on the international board of CIVICUS.

Marcus founded Tukaha Global Consultancy Ltd in 2000 and currently divides his time between speaking and consultancy work, hapu and community development activities in his tribal area and studies through Te Wānanga o Raukawa, a tribal university.

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