30 June 2006

UC students to represent Australia at UNESCO Festival

Two first year community education students are packing their bags and heading to Tahiti next month for the UNESCO inaugural Pacific Youth Festival.

Laura Green and Lara Johnston are two of 11 young Australians who have been selected by the Youth Network of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO to represent Australia as delegates at the festival.

Lara, who undertook a traineeship with the Police Citizens' Youth Club after studying at Lake Tuggeranong College, said the festival will be particularly relevant to her future plans of working with youth at risk.

The students will join 1400 other young people from Australia, New Zealand and the pacific region to talk about community issues that affect them. Themes will centre around social health and education with such topics as sustainable development, active citizenship, equality and peace and good governance.

With only a week to organise submitting an application and coming up with funding for the trip Laura said they were grateful for the community support they've received so far.

"We've virtually achieved the impossible but we've had tremendous support from our lecturers and community organisations, such as the Lions Club and the local Fijian community."

And while they joke about getting away from the cold and enjoying some sun and surf, there is a serious side to attending the forum.

"This not only gives us a chance to talk about the issues that we've experienced affecting communities across Australia, but it's also a chance to identify and bring back what those issues are from listening to others."

The UNESCO Pacific Youth Festival will be held from 17-22 July. Link to website:

www.spc.int/youth/Pacific_Youth_Festival_.htm

UC Communications

Gaye Morrison
T: 02 6201 5855
M: 0409 470 755

Kaddie Pass
T: 02 6201 2681

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Last Updated on August 1, 2005