REGISTRATION FOR MYNZ 2011 OPENS NOW

Details

Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 17:02

NEWS | MEDIA RELEASE
30 July 2011

MY NZ 2011 Conference: "Know your Rights. Step up against what's Wrong."

MY NZ 2011 CONFERENCE

Thursday, 29th September
Wesley Community Centre
10 am - 4pm
* Free for students aged 15 - 24 years *
*Transport available for schools*

In sharing our vision towards an inclusive multicultural New Zealand, with youth of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origins grounded and aware of their identities, and their capacity as leaders and change-makers in the community, we bring you our second MY NZ conference as Multicultural Youth New Zealand in 2011.

Previously "M" stood for Migrant, but many young people when approached for feedback, found the word as a label uneasy to deal with. The organisers found this an opportunity to continue facilitating this year's discussion on what many young people think about this issue. They agreed that the change of "Migrant" to "Multicultural" would bring more young people to come together, without losing focus on the forum being catered to youth of ethnic migrant and refugee backgrounds.

The change in what "M" stands would extend last year's discussions on what is "MY/MIgrant identity", and how young people across various ethnicities and generations describe their sense of belonging in New Zealand. It also marks a beginning in terms of how young people from immigrant backgrounds, be it recently or generations ago, situate their sense of what "MY NZ" means to them in terms of both local and global community contexts. This year's theme is "Know Your Rights. Step up against What's Wrong" in an effort to encourage young people to keep voicing out their opinions openly and fairly, with dignity and without fear. Topics such as human rights, gender & cultural diversity, social and family relationship safety will be facilitated. There will also be skill share workshops where youth workers and advocates share their experiences and cool DIY skills, with the aim of mobilising young people to get involved, be proactive about what matters to them, and exercise their rights and responsibilities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This year, the conference, led by ethnic youth for ethnic youth, will be held on Thursday 29th September 2011at Wesley Community Centre, in light of the recently launched Roskill Youth Zone. The conference invites schools and young people aged between 15 - 24 years, of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origins, migrant and refugee backgrounds from all over Auckland, to come together and share their diverse stories, migrating/moving around and growing up experiences as well as discuss the issues they face in respective home communities. There will also be other mainstream youth services available for participants to get information, ask questions or just talk to.

The conference is supported by Auckland Council.

It is organised by young volunteers of Shakti Youth Unit, an emerging branch of its parent organisation Shakti Legal Advocacy & Family Social Services Inc. The centre has recently located itself to Manukau Medical & Health Centre, providing a range of holistic family services such as individual and relationship counselling, family mediation, youth outreach, immigration and family legal advocacy services as well as leads and participates in various community forums, health & well-being projects.

Register now for a fun all-day conference!