ACT Minister for Children and Young People Joy Burch is encouraging Canberra youths to celebrate their unique place in the world, with today marking the start of the United Nations International ‘Year of Youth’.
The year has particular relevance to the ACT as the 2009-10 Young Canberran of the Year Anthony Antioch is a member of the United Nations Youth Association of Australia (UNYA).
Ms Burch welcomed the arrival of the Year of Youth with its theme of Our Year Our Voice.
“The UN’s declaration as 2010-11 as the ‘Year of Youth’ is about advancing the full and effective participation of young people in all aspects of society,” Ms Burch said.
“Young people in Canberra, as in other cities and towns across the globe, will be developing celebratory events throughout the year.”
Many of these events aim to raise awareness about the importance of investing in young people and increasing their participation in the world. They will also enable them to build crucial partnerships and networks.
“The International calendar is already packed with youth conferences, festivals, workshops and competitions. I have no doubt that young Canberrans will bring their collective creativity and energy to plan similar events.”
Ms Burch said she was delighted to be supporting UNYA when it hosts its national grand final of the prestigious Evatt Trophy competition in Canberra in December. The Evatt Trophy is the largest model UN debating competition in the Asia-Pacific region, attracting more than 1000 participants across Australia each year. Students compete by negotiating, lobbying, debating and speaking on a wide range of issues, in the style of the UN Security council.
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