On Tuesday 14th August we held a special youth evening at which the speakers were youth we have recently sponsored to the IYM and RYPEN programmes and the UN Pacific Youth Project. We also introduced our recently arrived, RYE student Olivia Goodridge, from Canada, and this gave inspiration to some Canadian themed decorations and menu items.
Our two recent Tawa College IYM (Innovative Young Minds) attendees, Nina Brown and Rem Thatkup, recounted some of the highlights of their experience. This programme is designed to encourage young women to explore science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and high-tech manufacturing fields - collectively called the STEMM sector. They did Business visits and tours, University visits, Team building activities, heard inspirational speakers, attended a Parliamentary Reception and participated in an innovation challenge.
Speakers provided an Encouraging phrase; such as Aim higher, Be confident. Also see the web site Roots to Stem http://roots2stem.ca/
Next up was Poppy Walsh, also from Tawa College, who had recently attended a RYPEN course in Inglewood. Poppy recounted some of the highlights of her experience. One message was to "Leave a footprint in life", and to "Keep the land and language alive when you when you go". Poppy was also a fluent te reo speaker and plans to be a nurse, and looked up to boxer Sam Rapira as an inspirer.
Olivia Goodridge, our Canadian RYE student was next up and she briefly introduced herself and why she selected NZ for her exchange. A more formal introduction talk will be provided by Olivia at a later date. Olivia will be attending Tawa College during her year in NZ.
Yolanda Latu, age 15 and a year 11 student at Tawa College was next up. She was one of 10 NZders selected to attend the UN Pacific Youth Project. This comprises the week-long UN Youth Australia National Conference followed by a week's cultural exchange to Vanuatu.
The National Conference brings together over 100 exceptional young people from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific to discuss a diverse range of international and local issues. Students learnt from experts in international relations, participate in interactive workshops and formally debate questions of global importance.
The Conference aims to create a generation of young people who are informed and passionate about the world around them through education, engagement with national leaders, and peer mentorship. The Conference includes students from across Australia, as well from New Zealand and across the Asia-Pacific.
In 2018, the Conference was held in Adelaide, and delegates explored the theme of ‘The Future of Democracy’. Around the world, more people have the ability to choose their political leaders than ever before. Yet democracy continues to throw up significant surprises, in varied votes around the world. Over the course of the week, delegates will be challenged to consider significant questions. Are global democratic institutions still functioning as they should? Is democracy still the best global model? How can we improve our systems of government?
All speakers expressed their gratitude to Rotary for their sponsorship and made mention of the benefits in widening their experiences and the connections and friendships that they had made during their programme.
Also present for the evening were the Tawa College head Boy, Jake Keats, and deputy Head Girl, Marama Butler.
We also welcomed Fiona Houghton as a prospective new member, and Olivia's host family, Kevin and Katyn, daughter (2019 outbound RYE student) Jordyn, and nana Leslie.
Denise advised that Phil Harland was still in Kenepuru Hospital, Ward 4 room 10, with back pain but otherwise mobile and seeing visitors.
The parting thought was “May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, The foresight to know where you are going, And the insight to know when you have gone too far”
