We are excited to announce that the Youth Declaration 2021 is finally out!
Annually, 150-350 rangatahi with different backgrounds, interests and aspirations come together for four days in Tāmaki Makaurau at UN Youth's flagship civics conference, Aotearoa Youth Declaration. Here, they research, debate, and look to solve the issues facing Aotearoa New Zealand. They share their perspectives on everything from sustainable farming to mental health to the housing crisis. Importantly, they share some glimpses into their lived experiences, motivations and aspirations in these discussions.
This year's conference was centered around well-known whakataukī:
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket, our people will thrive.
This whakataukī talks of the value of community, collaboration and collectivism. It acknowledges that everyone has something to offer, a piece of the puzzle, and by working together we can flourish. Similarly, we hope that rangatahi left the conference with a firm understanding of who they are and how they can play their part to serve their communities.
This declaration document highlights the priorities that rangatahi would like to see addressed in our country. We hope that MPs, CEOs and councillors read this document and consider the suggested changes. We also hope that decision-makers realise the importance of genuinely considering the youth voice in deciding the future of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We are so excited to share with you the Youth Declaration of 2021 and want to make a special thank you again for all our amazing participants, speakers, partners, sponsors and volunteers for bringing the conference to life! We feel optimistic knowing that our future is in the hands of such open-minded, thoughtful, and passionate rangatahi!