JustSpeak launches website four weeks out from first JustSpeak Camp

21 August 2012

Just over a year after forming in Wellington, the young people’s network working towards change in the criminal justice system, JustSpeak, has launched its website today: www.justspeak.org.nz

JustSpeak began in Wellington in July 2011 as a youth offshoot of Rethinking Crime and Punishment, with a small group of young people getting together to express shared concerns and a sense of frustration that policy and legislative decisions in the criminal justice area were being made with no input from young people. JustSpeak recently launched its Auckland branch and has quickly grown to be a strong, non-partisan network of young people speaking to, and speaking up for, a new generation of thinkers who want change in our criminal justice system.

“With around 100 young people regularly attending forums in both Wellington and Auckland each month, and a national Camp being held in September, we realised it was time for a website with all our events and information, as well as links to JustSpeak’s reports, press releases and submissions to Select Committee,” says website coordinator Sophie Klinger.

The website will be a rich resource for journalists, policy-makers, politicians, and academics. So far JustSpeak's outputs include 10 submissions, 5 media releases, and several videos and reports.

Already the website has been getting a lot of interest from young people interested in attending the first JustSpeak Camp, which is being held at Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay from 21 – 23 September. The JustSpeak Camp will be the first time that 150 young people from all walks of life will brought together from around Aotearoa to talk, workshop, debate and explore ideas for change in the area of criminal justice, led by young people themselves. JustSpeak believes that through imagination, innovation, enthusiasm and a belief in our ability to make positive change, young people can help create a more just Aotearoa.

JustSpeak Camp is a chance for young people to learn skills of critical thinking, public speaking, advocating for change and the creative expression of ideas from their peers and guest speakers. The Camp will culminate in a function at Parliament on Sunday 23 September co-hosted by Minister for Courts, Chester Borrows, and Justice Opposition Spokesperson, Charles Chauvel, where JustSpeak will have the opportunity to present the views of young people from around Aotearoa (as represented at the Camp) on justice issues.

Interested people aged 16 – 30 are encouraged to register at http://justspeakcamp.weebly.com before 31 August to secure a spot. Media are invited to get in touch with JustSpeak if they are interested in our work or the upcoming Camp.

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Website details: www.justspeak.org.nz

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