Youth Week Starts on Saturday

Youth Week Starts on Saturday

Youth Week starts this Saturday and runs from the 19th – 27th May.

Each year, Youth Week is a nine-day celebration of young people across New Zealand. This year the events around the country are focusing on the theme ‘Love the Skin you’re in’.

Youth Week isn’t just about celebrating our young people, it is also about encouraging adults to engage with young people, be positive role models, and support young people to be the best they can be.

We encourage adults to get out there with the young people in their lives during Youth Week and celebrate our young people.

Youth Week is about recognising the amazing contributions and achievements of New Zealand’s youth. It is also about recognising the positive impact adults can have on young people. Supportive, positive relationships hold a significant role in both the lives of young people and adults.

Being a positive adult role model, showing that you are comfortable in your own skin, being proud of who you are and being true to yourself, is something adults can do during youth week. Encourage young people to share their stories and get inspired to share yours.

Take the time to truly listen to the thoughts and feelings of our young people, shows you support them and their decisions. Be supportive of their feelings. Get involved! Youth Week events are happening all around the country check out what’s happening in your area at http://www.arataiohi.org.nz/youthweekevents

Brittney Schinzel, spokesperson for Youth Week 2012, said she has built many strong relationships with the positive adult role models around her. “My role models include my parents, my sister, my brother, and two of my favorite teachers. I know my family members are positive role models because they have taught me how to love myself unconditionally. The two teachers, who greatly impacted my life by being positive role models, showed me the importance of personal leadership. Everyone has different role models in their lives, it is important to seek them out and find guidance through them when you need it!”

Join in on the activities young people enjoy. Some Youth Week events this year such as Youth Versus Oldies Quiz Night, Fast Ball with New Zealand’s Police, Family Activities and Sports Days, and Family Movie Night, are all about young people and adults having fun together!

Background information

Youth Week New Zealand has been running successfully since 2000. Ara Taiohi has had the privilege of coordinating Youth Week for the past two years.

The nine-day series of events recognises the amazing contribution and achievements of young people throughout New Zealand. The week inspires our society to value, support, and affirm the diversity of its young people. Youth Week brings together young people and adults in a special way that reminds us how important it is to celebrate that unique relationship.

Ara Taiohi is a national youth sector organisation set up to support people working with young people and thereby enhance youth development so that young people thrive.

For more information visit www.arataiohi.org.nz/YouthWeek

ENDS

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