Ambassadors take the human rights message to young people

08/08/2008

The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission will launch its “Human Rights Youth Ambassador Program” today.

The Commission has recently appointed 11 inspiring young people as human rights ambassadors who will raise awareness of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights in the community.

Commission CEO, Dr Helen Szoke said the Ambassadors would also work with the Commission to uncover issues affecting young people.

“Each of our Ambassadors offers unique insight into human rights issues in the Victorian community,” she said. “These young people will make the Charter real and relevant to young Victorians.”

The Ambassadors, who are between 18 and 25 years old, have an impressive list of achievements, including touring with the UN speakers’ bureau, founding Australia’s first think-tank of young minds, speaking at international conferences and voluntary local community building.

“We are in awe of their experiences, drive, motivation and commitment,” said Dr Szoke.

Some Ambassadors have sobering experiences of discrimination and human rights violations. Youth Ambassador David Vincent grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya before coming to Australia.

“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… the freedom to be able to do what I want without fear,” he said.

Ambassadors Cassandra Devine and Mario Filintatzis said they were keen to spread the human rights message to young Victorians.

“Since living in East-Timor, I am far more aware of how precious human rights are, and how easily they can be taken away,” said Cassandra. “My experience in Timor showed me that it is possible for positive change to occur, at both big and small levels.”

“Having had a disability since birth, I have often found myself having to protect my human rights and advocate for others who have felt that their rights have been violated,” said Mario.

The Youth Ambassadors will work with the Commission for the next 12 months, spreading the word about the Human Rights Charter to young Victorians.

The young people represent diverse communities and were nominated by the following organisations –

Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), The ALSO Foundation, Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Inc (YacVic), Youth Disability Advisory Service (YDAS)

Media contact: Jessica Ardley (03) 92817133 or 0428 881 254