The Youth Representative will travel around Australia to speak with young people from all walks of life, taking their voice to the United Nations in New York.
Applications open today for young Australians to become part of the 2010 Australian Delegation to the United Nations as Australia's Youth Representative.
The 2009 representative, Mr Chris Varney, has recently started work in the Australian Mission to the UN in New York. Chris, who has just spent several months consulting with young Australians all over the country before departing to the Mission, urged all interested young people to apply for the position.
Speaking from New York, Chris said, “This experience is absolutely phenomenal. If you are passionate about international relations and believe strongly in the need for young people to have a voice at the UN, then this is the position for you.”
The United Nations Youth Association of Australia (UNYA) is responsible for selecting the successful candidate, in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
President of UNYA Australia, Alice Bleby, said the Association is seeking applicants with a sound knowledge of international issues, strong leadership skills and experience in representing youth opinion.
“This is a unique opportunity for young people to participate in decision-making on the world stage. The Australian Government’s support of this position takes the UN to young Australians and young Australians to the halls of the UN.”
The Youth Representative conducts a comprehensive listening tour around Australia in the months to September, travelling the country to seek out the depth and breadth of youth opinion. In New York they will work in the Australian Mission to the UN as fully accredited member of the Australian Delegation, working closely with Australian diplomatic personnel. They will also work with fellow Youth Representatives from other Member States to advance the youth agenda and meet with UN staff to formulate new projects for young people around the world.
Expressions of Interest for the position close on 2 November 2009, and can be submitted through the website, [link="youthrep"]www.unya.org.au/youthrep[/link]. Please note the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reserves the right to withdraw the position at any time.