David Vincent

“Human rights to me means… the freedom to be able to do what I want without fear.”

David grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya before coming to Australia, and his experiences of human rights violations as a refugee and child soldier have shaped his life. He is passionate about raising awareness of human rights, and the voices of young people.

“Having witnessed so much destruction in my life since I was three years old, life lost it’s meaning to me,” he says. “For me human rights means having a good place to sleep, three meals a day, an opportunity to visit a doctor when sick and to be able to sleep soundly without worrying to be killed the next day.”

David has managed and initiated different youth groups, and organised activities and events for young people in his community. He has trained and presented with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Speakers Bureau.

For David being a Human Rights Youth Ambassador with the Commission provides an opportunity to tell his story, educate others about human rights, and in particular, teach others about the importance of freedom, respect, equality and dignity.

David was nominated by the Centre for Multicultural Youth.