27 June 2013

45 Young New Zealanders Selected for UNICEF NZ Youth Congress

Young New Zealanders are set to get a crash course on world issues at the UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund) Youth Congress. 45 young people from around New Zealand will take part in the three day event, held in Auckland from 12-14 July.

The Youth Congress, for young New Zealanders (16-23 years), will provide young people with the chance to learn more about the world including children’s rights and issues, as well as having the opportunity to share ideas and learn skills needed to take action.

The July Congress will be the second time UNICEF NZ has held the event, after a successful first Youth Congress in 2011.

Brooke Collis, who is in Year 13 at Catholic Cathedral College in Christchurch, is attending the event next month. Brooke says that the Congress will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about issues that affect youth in NZ and around the world.

“It is very important for young people to take action and have a voice in relation to the issues facing our community and the wider world, as we are the adults of the future. Becoming involved now will allow us to be informed decision makers,” says Brooke.

Jacqui Southey, Education for Development Officer at UNICEF NZ, is looking forward to spending three days with 45 motivated young New Zealanders talking about global issues that affect them and learning how to bring about change.

“It is evident that New Zealand’s youth are engaged and interested in global issues and we are impressed by their current knowledge. The Congress is just one way of giving these young people a chance to broaden their knowledge, share ideas with their peers and have a platform to be heard.

“We received great feedback from the youth who attended the Congress in 2011. These students are our future leaders and we are very excited to hear what they have to say on current global issues.”

This year the event will have a specific focus on nutrition, poverty (in NZ and around the world), and developmental issues in the Pacific.

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.

The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.

UNICEF is a charity funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Every $1 donated to us is worth at least $10 in the field thanks to the way we work in partnership with governments, local NGOs and other partners - www.unicef.org.nz

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