Lucas Ryan

“To me, human rights are basic freedoms and liberties which every human has simply because they are born into this world.”

Lucas is interested in advocating for young people’s right to participate in public life.

“Young people deserve to be treated as citizens and the valuable contributions that they are capable of making should be recognized,” says Lucas, who wanted to become a Human Rights Youth Ambassador to have his voice heard and to encourage and inspire other young people to become active in their communities.

“Young people are affected by many decisions in which they have no say. To me it is important that young people are consulted about issues that affect them,” says Lucas. “I also believe that young people have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights at home and abroad and I believe that through promoting human rights society as a whole can be improved.”

Lucas studies Arts at the University of Melbourne, and is on the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria reference group. He is the 2008 National Youth Week Young Member for Victoria and the 2009 Australian Government National Youth Week Young Member. He has recently received the Hume 2008 Young Citizen off the Year award, a Rotary Youth Leadership Award and was made one of the Global Learning Village’s Inspiring Young People.

Lucas was nominated by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.