Far North rangatahi have their say
A change of format has enabled Far North rangatahi [youth] to play their part in this year’s four-day Aotearoa Youth Declaration conference.
The conference is staged annually in Auckland, bringing together more than 250 young people from around the country to discuss issues that concern them and to devise policy solutions, culminating in a Youth Declaration.
It has long been of concern that the conference is not truly representative of the younger generation, because of the cost of attending. This year’s United Nations Aotearoa committee has addressed that by providing for regional conferences.
Nancy Wiperi, manager of youth innovations at Building Safer Communities in Kaitaia, said the conferences focused on civics and active citizenship, but most importantly allowed young people to share their vision for Aotearoa.
The educational aspect involved discussing and evaluating the major challenges and issues in their areas, then seeking solutions to them. UN Youth also ran an active citizenship workshop aimed at engaging, educating and empowering rangatahi to become active citizens in their community.
Ms Wiperi and United Nations Youth co-ordinator Victoria Rhodes-Carlin said local agencies and schools had worked together to bring the UN youth kaupapa to the Far North.
The Kaitaia conference had produced results beyond what had been expected, with the participants actively sharing their perspectives on matters that affected them and providing solutions that were practical and system-changing.
“We also found through that fundamental relationships were formed between schools,” Ms Wiperi said.
“Student representatives were able to compare best practices with other schools, share ideas and solutions that have worked in their schools, and discuss the policies and procedures that have been put in place to support their student bodies.
“This was a great event that stirred up future leaders for our nation. I could see the hunger in these young people’s eyes. They are passionate about making changes and being global leaders for New Zealand.”