Claudia Stapledon

“Young people’s voices are not always heard in the fight for equal opportunity or human rights, but these are the voices that are often the most passionate and committed.”

Claudia is passionate about social justice and human rights advocacy. Throughout high school she was involved with the social justice committee, and was the committee’s captain in her final year. She also works with Minus18 to plan and run events for young members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.

“Providing support for young people during a challenging time in their lives in immensely rewarding,” says Claudia. “It really drives me to want to see a change in our society and to better promote human rights, because many difficulties that young people face stem from society’s lack of acceptance rather than from any shortcomings of their own.”

Claudia became a Human Rights Youth Ambassador because of her interests in human rights advocacy.

“Human rights to me means the absolute right to freedom, social justice and dignity that we are all entitled to from the time we are born until the day we die. While these rights might be infringed, they can’t be taken away from us,” says Claudia.

“All members of our society have a responsibility to create a better political environment for everybody. Until then, our intrinsic human rights aren’t able to be realised.”

Claudia studies Health Science and Social Work at Monash University. Her past achievements include winning the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award and the public speaking award for presenting at the 2008 Asia Pacific Outgames Human Rights Conference.

Claudia was nominated by the ALSO Foundation.