EDITION

Youth Talk! 2016: Creating Spaces for Dialogue and Change
by Lucy Stewart, Youth Programmes Coordinator
Past Events
More than 340 students participated
in The Peace Foundation's event 'Youth
Talk' on May 25th at Westlake Girls High
School. Youth Talk is part of the national
initiative Youth Week NZ, organised by Ara
Taiohi, and this year's theme was "Giving
back is giving forward" - Aroha Mai, Aroha
Atu.
Youth Week is about recognising the
amazing contributions and achievements
of young people in New Zealand.
This nationwide series of events organised
by youth celebrates the talents, successes
and contributions of local young
people to their communities, as well as
worldwide.
The Peace Foundation’s Youth Week 2016
event took the form of Youth Talk!. Modeled
on TED talks, youth speakers presented
and discussed their great achievements
and inspired their peers with their stories.
The main theme for this year was “Aroha
Mai, Aroha Atu - Giving Forward is Giving
Back”. Youth speakers described how they
have “given back” in some way – fighting
the trafficking of girls, helping after natural
disasters, fundraising for needy – to name a
few topics. The presentations were followed
West Lake Girls High Students discuss the theme of ‘giving forward is giving back’ during interactive workshops.
by interactive workshops lead by youth on
the implementation of the theme in our
communities.
"The discussions covered various issues including
the media's influence on world problems,
the pitfalls of campaign work, how to
maintain momentum in a campaign, and many
other thought-provoking questions," Westlake
students Rhiana Merota, Kasey Lui and Izzy
Sheild stated. "It was an awesome experience
and we would like to thank the coordinator
Lucy Stewart from The Peace Foundation for
organising this inspirational event."
Anya Satyanand, Executive Officer of Ara
Taiohi, the organisers of the national Youth
Week campaign says:
“Youth Week is a great chance for young
people to take action and influence change in
their communities.”
“Youth culture is one of generosity. Young
people totally get what it is to look after the
people around them. Youth Week this year celebrates
this spirit of caring and recognises our
young people as champions of change.” - Chris
Martin, Ata Taiohi Board Chair and Selwyn
District Council Youth Advisor.
400 students listen to the youth speakers during Youth Talk! presentations. Amandeep Kaur, from Manurewa High School, discusses her community
and fundraising work.
Dean Shippey, of Find Her Smile, talks about fighting the trafficking of girls in Asia.
2016 WINTER edition
MediationWORKS 9