Kiwi youth leaders on State Department tour of United States

Kiwi youth leaders on State Department tour of United States

1 December 2014

A group of high school pupils from the Auckland region are travelling to the United States on a US Government Youth Leadership Program sponsored by the US Embassy.

The nine 16-to-18 year olds, with a similar group from Australia, this week started the tour in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and will wind up in Washington DC.

The programme will primarily focus on climate change and the environment, community service, and the development of youth leadership. The pupils will meet with community groups, high schools, and civil society leaders.

US Embassy spokesperson Emily Armitage said the State Department’s youth leadership program was an excellent opportunity for the Embassy to get to know and hear the voices of New Zealand’s younger generations.

“Young people in New Zealand and America face very similar issues and we want to help them learn from each other.

“This diverse group of school pupils has a shared interest in youth leadership and environmental issues and we recognise that today’s young will be tomorrow’s decision makers,” she said.

“The program provides the pupils an opportunity to learn from each other about how to combat societal issues, as well as building the foundations for long-lasting partnerships that transcend borders,” she said.

“I think President Eisenhower, the ‘Father of Citizen Diplomacy’, said it best: ‘If only people will get together, eventually so will nations’,” she said.

Throughout the world the State Department places a high value on connecting not just with governments but with diverse communities at all levels. Since the 1950s the US Government has had a focus on ‘citizen diplomacy’ which includes dozens of youth and educational exchange programs.

The participants are from Avondale College, Mt Albert Grammar School, St Kentigern College, Manurewa High School, Diocesan School For Girls, Papakura High School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hoani Waititi, Kristin School, and Dilworth School. They will return to New Zealand on December 23.

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