ABOUT THE EVENT
"Mō tātou, ā, mō ngā uri ā muri ake nei - for us, and for the descendants after us.”
Aotearoa Youth Declaration (AYD) is one of UN Youth’s three flagship events. AYD gives participants the chance to be heard, and empowers them to create change in their communities.
Participants from around Aotearoa attend the four day conference in Auckland, where they work in small rōpū (committee groups) to draft solutions to issues Aotearoa faces, ranging from education reform to biodiversity loss. These solutions are compiled into the Aotearoa Youth Declaration, a document that is sent to decision-makers across government, NGOs, and other influential groups. These decision-makers, from the Minister for Youth to charity CEOs, use the declaration to understand what Aotearoa rangatahi want to see.
Role Descriptions
Head Regional Delegation Officer
The Head Regional Delegation Officer will lead our Regional Delegation Programme, ensuring that participants from outside Auckland receive support with accommodation, meals, and transport across five days. The role demands someone who embodies approachability, responsibility, and strong communication skills. Collaborating closely with the committee prior to the event, the RD Director will oversee all aspects of the Regional Delegation's operations, ensuring seamless logistical support and a welcoming environment for all delegates.
Head of Welfare
The Head of Welfare focuses on the well-being of all participants, providing support and ensuring a safe environment throughout the event. This role requires empathy, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive situations. Collaborating closely with the committee - the Head of Welfare will lead a team of Welfare officers during the event, streamlining communications and managing tasks.
Head Māori and Pasifika Peoples’ Liaison
The Head Māori and Pasifika Liaison advocates for Māori and Pasifika Participants, ensuring that their cultures are respected and their voices heard. The Head Māori and Pasifika Liaison plans events focused on MPP participants throughout AYD and lends an MPP perspective to the organising committee. The Head Māori and Pasifika Liaison collaborates closely with the Equity Officer to identify and address barriers to participation, create safe spaces, and provide culturally sensitive guidance and support throughout the conference.
Head Accessibility Liaison
The Head Accessibility Liaison advocates for Participants with accessibility needs, ensuring that they are respected and their voices heard. The Head Accessibility Liaison plans events focused on participants with accessibility needs throughout AYD and lends an accessibility perspective to the organising committee. The Head Accessibility Liaison collaborates closely with the Equity Officer to identify and address barriers to participation, create safe spaces, and provide sensitive guidance and support throughout the conference.
Head Queer Liaison
The Head Queer Liaison advocates for Queer Participants, ensuring that they are respected and their voices heard. The Head Queer Liaison plans events focused on queer participants throughout AYD and lends a queer perspective to the organising committee. The Head Queer Liaison collaborates closely with the Equity Officer to identify and address barriers to participation, create safe spaces, and provide sensitive guidance and support throughout the conference.
ABOUT UN YOUTH
UN Youth is a non-profit organisation that provides civics education outside the traditional classroom context. Through fun workshops and conferences, we engage youth in the most pressing affairs of their country and the international community. Our goal is to inspire young New Zealanders to be active, global citizens. Global citizenship exists in an incredibly diverse range of forms, and UN Youth provides opportunities for delegates to develop their own form of active citizenship. Throughout Aotearoa, our work equips young people to become informed, engaged, and critical New Zealanders who understand their global context and the connections between the local and the global. Annually, over 3000 young New Zealanders from Northland to Southland attend a UN Youth event, run by a body of over 150 volunteers across the country who dedicate many hours of their time to engaging young people and growing the organisation.