NZ Universities thrash-out skilled emigration debate

20 August 2013

NZ Universities thrash-out skilled emigration debate

The Next Generation Grand Final Debate: Fresh Perspectives on the Big Social Issues
Special Guest Panellist: Hon Hekia Parata, Minister of Education

Skilled, under 30, and thinking of heading overseas - does that make you an asset or a liability to New Zealand Inc.?

That’s what we’ll find out when Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland go head-to-head in the finals of the annual The Next Generation Debates: Fresh Perspectives on Big Social Issues, to be held in Wellington on Thursday night.

Following the debate on the topic, If you’re young and ambitious, you should leave New Zealand, there will be a panel discussion with Hon Hekia Parata, Minister of Education, and Stephen Franks, a Wellington lawyer and former ACT MP.

The event marks the culmination of a debate series, hosted by The New Zealand Initiative with the support of the Friedlander Foundation, which has taken place between the top two debaters from Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington and Otago universities. Heats were hosted at a variety of secondary schools throughout the Auckland and Wellington regions.

The grand final debate will be held at the City Gallery in Wellington on Thursday 22 August at 6pm.

New Zealand Initiative Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich said the debates are a great way of encouraging discussion on public policy issues among young people.

“The aim of the series is to get young people thinking and talking about some of the important social issues affecting New Zealanders today,” he said. “One of the challenges currently facing most Western democracies is people gradually disengaging from the discussions that affect them, and these debates are hopefully part of a move to reverse this”.

Hartwich said the membership of The New Zealand Initiative was highly supportive of the concept and noted with appreciation that the Friedlander Foundation was covering the costs of the tournament and had also contributed the cash prizes.

Details of the event:
Arrival time: 6pm
Start time: 6.30pm
Topic: If you’re young and ambitious, you should leave New Zealand
Finalists: Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland

To register for this event, follow the link:
Next Generation Debates – Grand Final (Wellington)

About the New Zealand Initiative
The New Zealand Initiative is an evidence-based think tank and research institute, which is supported by a membership organisation that counts some of the country’s leading visionaries, business leaders and political thinkers among its ranks.

Our members are committed to developing policies to make New Zealand a better country for all its citizens. We believe all New Zealanders deserve a world-class education system, affordable housing, a healthy environment, sound public finances and a stable currency.

The New Zealand Initiative pursues this goal by producing well-researched reports and hosting high level conferences and events. For more information visit www.nzinitiative.org.nz.

ENDS

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