Brad is a student at Victoria University of Wellington where he is studying towards a BCom/BA majoring in Economics, Public Policy, International Relations and Political Science. Originally from Whangarei, Brad served on the Whangarei District Council Youth Advisory Group including two years as Chair, alongside roles with UNICEF New Zealand as a National Youth Ambassador and Board Advisor. He also works with the Ministry of Youth Development administered National Youth Advisory Group and other organisations like Commonwealth Youth New Zealand. Passionate about youth voice, Brad works to encourage other young people to participate and have their voices heard. 

In mid November I travelled to Malta along with 4 other New Zealanders to participate in 33SIxty, an international Commonwealth leadership programme. The focus was two-fold: to work towards solutions that would combat undue profiting from migration — a hot topic across the world but especially in Europe currently — while also building the leadership skills and networks for the 100 youth leaders who travelled from across the Commonwealth to meet. 

Migration - the Global Challenge 

We were tasked over four days to observe, analyse and then present out ideas on what options could prevent undue profiting from migration — a task that governments and NGOs across the world are struggling with. It was hoped that we as young people could bring new, innovative eyes to give a fresh perspective. But first we had to learn about the issue. 

So learn we did: what followed was two days of intensive immersion visits around different organisations on the Maltese Islands including to De La Rue (the world’s largest commercial passport manufacturer), the Marsa Ope Centre (where migrants live when they arrive in Malta), the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, the UNHCR, the Maltese Red Cross and others. These visits gave us first-hand expert knowledge of what was happening ‘on the front line’ of the migration crisis - what we learnt was that may first appear as a simple issue is actually a multifaceted concern. People are moving from their homes for various reasons from political unrest and violence to the hope of economic prosperity in other countries. 

We also found that there is a huge amount of mis-information amongst both the migrating populaces and the countries that accept migrants leading to heightened migration risk and high levels of animosity within the local population. As such, all participants recognised the need to provide avenues for information sharing to a large number of people. As the world has shifted further towards digital connectedness, many participants established their solutions around online or technology based information platforms that fostered offline, personal interactions and communication to create a sense of community and inclusion for all. 

A chance to enhance youth leadership 

At the same time, this programme also allowed myself and fellow participants the ability to extend our understandings of leadership and to advance our skills and networks. It was an incredible opportunity for a group of highly motivated young people who are creating incredible changes in their communities across the Commonwealth. It was inspiring to meet young leaders from places including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, India and Nigeria who have produced some incredible actions in recent years that directly benefit society and confirm that there are individuals throughout the world who are willing to step up and be negated when called upon. 

This was an opportunity for this group as a cohort to compare methods, successes and ideas in the knowledge that test will engender future projects across the globe. It was particularly inspiring to meet a number of the 2015 Queens Young Leaders who have been recognised by the Queen for their leadership; they provide a role model to which all young people can aspire to for the work they do in their communities and the enormous impact they make. 

Now that 33Sixty has finished, I am looking forward to connecting with organisations in New Zealand to not only contextualise migration from a New Zealand perspective but to speak to all manner of people about my experiences and impart the knowledge I have gain through this trip to further the knowledge of others — if you’re interested in hearing more get in touch with Commonwealth Youth New Zealand at info@commonwealthyouth.org.nz

PR: YOUNG NEW ZEALANDERS TO DEBATE CHANGING THE FLAG
 
COMMONWEALTH YOUTH NEW ZEALAND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
10 NOVEMBER 2015

Ahead of the first referendum on the future of New Zealand’s flag, Commonwealth Youth New Zealand (CYNZ), in association with the Victoria University of Wellington Debating Society, is hosting a debate with the moot ‘This House Would Change the New Zealand Flag’.

Eight young people will go head to head with their views on whether or not the New Zealand flag should be changed, and the audience will have a chance to ask questions about the debaters’ arguments.
The debate will be arbitrated by David Seymour, ACT Party leader and Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Education, Katie Bradford, ONE News Political Reporter, Jacinda Ardern, Labour Party MP and Justice Spokesperson, and Chris Bishop, National Party MP and deputy chair of Parliament's Finance and Expenditure select committee.

“While CYNZ does not take a stance on the debate, we think it is very important to provide young people with the opportunity to hear different sides of the argument for changing the flag, and encourage them to exercise their democratic right to vote in the referendum”, says Emma Stilwell, CYNZ Events Officer.
For those that cannot make the event, or would like to join in the conversation online CYNZ will be livestreaming the event as well as posting regular highlights from the debate on Twitter using #nzflag.

ENDS


 

PR: TOP YOUNG LEADERS CHOSEN FOR PRESTIGIOUS COMMONWEALTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE 
 
COMMONWEALTH YOUTH NEW ZEALAND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
11 OCTOBER 2015
 
Ahead of the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), five young Kiwis will travel to Malta to undertake an intensive Commonwealth-focused leadership programme.
 
Hamish Keown, Sandra Ivanov, Ruby Sands, Brad Olsen, and Bing Lou have been selected to attend this prestigious event and will spend one week learning about this year's 33Sixty challenge "How do we stop people profiting from migration?"
 
33Sixty, delivered by leadership development experts Common Purpose, provides a framework in which participants can tackle challenges of fundamental importance to the Commonwealth. 
 
"As an alumni of 33Fifty, the predecessor to 33Sixty, I know that these five outstanding leaders will develop their own personal leadership styles as well as make amazing connections from around the world", said Aaron Hape, Commonwealth Youth New Zealand Executive Director.
 
"Participants of this programme have gone on to do amazing things; two have become Queen’s Young Leaders, and many have been successful in ensuring their local communities are benefiting from those skills they learnt in Scotland."
 
"I'm confident that Hamish, Sandra, Ruby, Brad and Bing will all personally benefit immensely from this experience, and I know they will implement their learnings in their communities and projects on their return", said Mr Hape.
 
Participants will explore the challenge through in-depth conversations with talented leaders from all sectors and behind-the-scenes visits to a range of incredible organisations to give them a cutting-edge insight into the challenge.
 
On the final day of the programme, participants will present their responses to the challenge to a panel of senior leaders, stakeholders and Commonwealth Heads of Government gathered for CHOGM. 

33Sixty will be held again next year in Scotland with the challenge of “How do we create a step change in the way the private, public and not-for-profit sectors work together?”.

For more information, visit the 33Sixty website. 
 
ENDS

Sam is currently a Solicitor at Simpson Grierson in Auckland. Before starting work full time, he completed a Bachelor of Laws with Honours a Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies and most recently completed a Master’s Degree in Sport and Leisure Studies. During his law studies much of his interest related to human rights and international law, including an examination of the human rights of children in sport. In his Master’s thesis he looked at the use of external providers of health and physical education programmes in Aotearoa primary schools and the way these type of programmes could be used more effectively to teach the curriculum and achieve better educational outcomes. Sam is passionate about sport for development and peace. He pursues this passion by working with sport organisations on programmes at the grassroots level and has attended international conferences in the area and related areas.


On 1 September 2015 I was fortunate enough to attend the unveiling of the first plaque of Auckland's proposed Commonwealth Walkway on behalf of Commonwealth Youth New Zealand. The plaque was unveiled by Louise Martin, The Honorary Secretary of the Commonwealth Games Federation (and as of 2 September 2015 the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation) outside Old Government House at the University of Auckland.

The Commonwealth Walkway is an exciting project that has been picked up by Auckland Transport after discussions with the Outdoor Trust. I believe it will be an awesome addition to Auckland and New Zealand and a way for people to get active and explore the city. I also think it will be amazing to know these walks are all over the Commonwealth so wherever you go you can take one of these walks and learn more about the city and feel connected through our Commonwealth family. A Commonwealth Walkway has also already been started in Wellington.

What are the Commonwealth Walkways?

The Commonwealth Walkways are a proposed network of walkways in cities across all 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth to serve as a permanent recognition of the role of Her Majesty the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth for 63 years and to act as a link between the Commonwealth nations and territories.

The walkways will link the most significant sites in the cities where a walkway is to express points important to a nation’s heritage and culture and provide a practical way for the Commonwealth values to be lived and shared by both residents and visitors.

The Commonwealth Walkways are designed to be safe, accessible and attractive. They are deigned to be walks that can be done if someone has an afternoon to spare and wants to see what a city and a nation is truly about. It is about connecting the richness and diversity of the most significant parts of the Commonwealth including palaces, monuments, attractions, parks and key geographical features.

Each point of significance on the walkways will be signed permanently by a gunmetal marker in the footpath containing Her Majesty's personal Royal cypher (the same as that unveiled at the ceremony I attended).   The Outdoor Trust (successor to the Jubilee Walkway Trust) also plans on launching a free app that can be used with the walkway and will provide information on each of the attractions, activated automatically when an individual is near a marker.

The Commonwealth Walkway initiative was announced in Glasgow ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was given immediate support by both the Commonwealth Secretary General and the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

What is the Outdoor Trust?

 The Outdoor Trust is the successor to the Jubilee Walkway Trust. The Jubilee Walkway Trust was responsible for the world’s first ever urban trail, the Jubilee Walkway in London. It was created to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and revitalised and extended to celebrate her Golden Jubilee. The Jubilee Walkway Trust was also responsible for the Jubilee Greenway a 60km walkway to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the end of Diamond Jubilee year, the Jubilee Walkway Trust was closed down and The Outdoor Trust was formed.

The Outdoor Trust as noted above has the ambition of creating 100 walkways in a 71 Commonwealth nations and territories. The Trust works with local councils and other organisations to develop routes that highlight the best a city and country has to offer. The Trust’s CEO Jim Walker is an international expert on walking projects who has coordinated more than 2,000 walking routes and uses his experience to work with council’s and other organisations to ensure the routes are accessible and engaging.

How can I get involved?
 
In Auckland specifically Auckland Transport is committed to the project with the aim of getting it well underway by the time Prince Charles visits in November. They are looking at getting input into the route so there will be opportunities for individuals to have their say about important site in downtown Auckland.

The Outdoor Trust will also be on the look out for locals to contribute brief descriptions and insights into the different stops along the walkway.

Finally to get out and use the Auckland, Wellington and other walkways around the Commonwealth as they are set up.

Where can I get more information?

http://www.outdoortrust.com/
https://twitter.com/outdoortrust
https://www.facebook.com/outdoortrust/info

PR:STUDENTS TO CONVERGE ON PARLIAMENT FOR 2015 NATIONAL STUDENT CHOGM

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH NEW ZEALAND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 AUGUST 2015

Some of New Zealand's brightest young leaders will assemble at Parliament next week for a two-day conference aimed at enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the Commonwealth. National Student CHOGM is the premier annual event hosted by Commonwealth Youth New Zealand.

In this setting, delegates take on the role of Head of Government or Foreign Minister of a Commonwealth member state, or as a member of the media. Held on 24 and 25 August, delegates will debate issues such as immigration and refugee status to the role of young people in the Commonwealth.

"National Student CHOGM is an exciting and challenging opportunity for young leaders to learn about diplomacy, international politics and the place of the Commonwealth in the modern world", said Patrick Lindsay, Coordinator of the National Student CHOGM Programme.

"More students than ever before are participating in this year’s event, and I’m excited to welcome a number of schools that have never before sent delegations."

Scots College student, Connor Slattery, has been chosen as the conference's Secretary-General. "I hope to see how the individual views of each country discussed in “The World” session are developed throughout the rest of the conference, as I believe this will be a step forward in reflecting the unity that the Commonwealth prides itself on."

Marlborough Girls College's Bonnie Harrison, who as been appointed Associate Secretary-General, is looking to develop her leadership skills. "As a student who has been supported and nurtured in her passions - debating, speechmaking, and politics - I love seeing young people bring their freshness and their fire together, and to such a prestigious platform".

"What I am particularly interested in seeing is the discussion of social equality between students of a generation that is becoming increasingly aware of these injustices", said Harrison.

This year marks the 34th anniversary of the first National Student CHOGM which was opened by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr Kamalesh Sharma, will address the meeting via video message.

ENDS

April 6 is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, a chance to recognise the huge potential sport has to contribute to the Millennium Development Goals, to foster peace and play a role in development generally. Sport for Development and Peace is something is close to my heart and that I believe is one of the most if the most important ways to bring people together and promote peace, development and understanding across the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.

What is Sport?

This may seem obvious, however the definition the UN and other development bodies commonly use when discussing Sport for Development and Peace is a much broader than the way we commonly think of sport. In 2003 the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace defined sport, for the purposes of development, as “all forms of physical activity that contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being and social interaction, such as play, recreation, organized or competitive sport, and indigenous sports and games.”

What is Sport for Development and Peace?

Sport in its broad definition (play, recreation, dance, organized or competitive sport, indigenous sports and games) has always been an important part of societies, whether it is a way to train hunters, tell stories, compete with others or have fun. Sport and most notably the play aspect is often the first way we all learn about the world around us and the way we interact with others.

Sport for Development and Peace recognises that sport is an effective tool for development. Sport in the broad definition is one of the few areas that has an amazing power to inspire people, bring people together, and develop an individual and collective identity. Sport teaches respect for others, acceptance of rules, teamwork, fairness, an understanding for one’s body in space and fun.

The UN system and in particular the United Nations Office of Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) uses sport in two main ways. Firstly as a tool for fundraising, advocacy, mobilization and raising public awareness. This involves using high profile athletes and sports teams to promote messages. For example the ICC partnering with UNICEF for the recent Cricket World Cup to get players to promote HIV/AIDS awareness. Sport due to its strong appeal is seen as a way for these messages to get in the door so they can be explored further.

The second main way sport is used is in development and peace promotion projects at a grassroots level. These projects involve getting individuals, often young people, involved in sports events and activities. This can be in an emergency situation to take people minds of the situation, give the individuals something to do and meet others or long term projects to promote interaction, health or any other goal. An example of this was using cricket as an activity for those in refugee camps displaced by conflict in Afghanistan, as a way to get to know each other and have something to do. Many of those that represented Afghanistan at the recent Cricket World cup in Australia and New Zealand first learnt how to play cricket in these camps.

Youth in Sport for Development and Peace

Youth have an important role as both recipients and deliverers of Sport for Development and Peace projects. As mentioned above many of the projects are aimed at young people. This is because any initiatives are often more effective when aimed at young people and more importantly young people are disproportionately affected by conflict or any other societal difficulties. In many of these instances, young people miss out on opportunities to just be kids and play and have fun. This is where I believe Sport for Development and Peace is most useful and effective.

Youth also have an important role in delivering and promoting Sport for Development and Peace in both formal and informal roles. Young people are able to relate to the recipients of these types of programmes more easily and have the passion and energy required to deliver these types of programmes. They also play an important informal leadership role whether it is as a participant encouraging others to get involved or finding individuals who would benefit from these types of initiatives.

Importance of the Commonwealth in Sport for Development and Peace

The Commonwealth advocates for sport to be used as a vehicle for peace and development and assists member nations to develop policies and action plans that link sport to outcomes in areas such as health, education, gender equality and social cohesion, at community and national level.  They also convene a biennial Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting for development of policy and sharing of good practice. In addition, there is a Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group. This group is supported by the Head of Sport for Development and Peace, a Commonwealth employee. This groups aims to be “The leading voice for youth in the Commonwealth towards promoting best practices towards sport for development and peace in their respective societies – by targeting young people and policy makers.”

Sport for Development and Peace is important in the Commonwealth and in particular the developing nations of the commonwealth as there are a high proportion of young people in these nations, when compared to other nations. Due to this high number of young people, many do not have the opportunities to participate in play and games due to having to take on adult responsibilities. This means that they are missing out on many of the important learning opportunities that come from sport.

Sport for Development and Peace is also particularly effective in Commonwealth nations given the high interest in sport as can be seen by the strong following and participation in the Commonwealth Games and sports such as football, rugby, cricket and netball. These sports provide an effective tool to promote many development messages in a way that young people in the commonwealth can relate to.

Another effective and underused aspect of Sport for Development and Peace in Commonwealth nation is to promote traditional knowledge and practices within indigenous peoples. Many of these skills have been lost or weakened due to the effects of colonisation and modernisation. This has lead in some instances to a feeling of disconnect with many youth from indigenous societies with theses societies and the wider societies that exist in their nations. Sport and in particular, the indigenous sports, dances and games can be effective in building a sense of belonging and passing on knowledge of these societies. This traditional knowledge can also be effective in thinking about traditional practices of eating and protecting the environment that can lead to better health outcomes for indigenous people. Indigenous sports, dancing and games are also effective in allowing individuals from outside these groups to get a better insight into these societies and participate in these activities respectfully.

More information

If you want to explore Sport for Development and Peace further please have a look at the UNOSDP, Commonwealth and Olympic Sport for Development websites.