Press Release

26 August 2013

Event set to bring ethnic youth together as one

On Saturday 28 July 2013, Auckland University of Technology will host an Ethnic Youth Hui 2013, an event set to integrate youth from different ethnicities and communities. The Ethnic Youth Hui is an initiative piloted by the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Board who understand the importance of youth as the leaders of today and tomorrow.

The Ethnic Hui Youth is being organized by a team made up of young individuals from different diverse cultural backgrounds representing the diversity of New Zealand.

Mahafrin Variava, one of the eight youth on the organizing committee and the Project Manager for the hui, says her aim for the hui is to empower and encourage the youth.

“I believe that every youth is a light of the world and it gives me great pleasure to be there to encourage that light to shine as bright as it can”, she says.

The purpose of the hui is to create conversations about the issues and challenges facing ethnic youth in New Zealand as well as to celebrate their successes and achievements.

Makanaka Tuwe, spokesperson for the Ethnic Youth Hui said that there are barriers faced by ethnic and migrant youth that need to be addressed.

“This is an event for ethnic youth by ethnic youth. It is a chance for us to come together as one and share our stories and experiences. To be frank, I am tired of projects that are implemented from the top, from people who have little knowledge about young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds”, she says.

Although there have been a number of events organized for youth from a particular ethnic background, this is the first time that an event will invite youth from ethnicities.

“You will hear of youth days that cater to certain ethnicities and while this is fair and fine, we believe it is time to bring the youth together. This is all in the spirit of celebrating diversity and inclusion”, Mahafrin says.

Through the Ethnic Youth Hui, youth will have the opportunity to showcase their culture, celebrate what makes them unique, be amongst people who share similar experiences and hear from those with different stories to tell.

“At the end of the day, we want everyone to walk away with knowledge, friendships and stronger networks,” Makanaka says.

The day will be made up of workshops and presentations on a range of topics including culture, identity, health, and spirituality. During the workshop and presentation sessions, there will be entertainment, dances, songs, art and cultural displays from various cultural groups from New Zealand.

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Website: http://www.youthhui.org.nz/

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