Calling young New Zealanders qui parlent Français
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced that applications are now open for four young
French-speaking New Zealanders to represent New Zealand on 14 July at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris.
“French President François Hollande has invited New Zealand to send two young women and two young men, aged between 18
and 24, to participate in the 2014 Bastille Day Parade,” Mr Finlayson said. “They will join youth from around 70 other
countries that were involved in the First World War. France is using this year’s National Day to mark the upcoming
centenary of the First World War.”
“As we saw on Anzac Day, the number of young New Zealanders attending services around the country to honour those New
Zealanders who have died in conflicts and acknowledge the contribution of all those who have served, continues to grow.”
“I encourage young French-speaking New Zealanders to apply for this unique opportunity and join me in representing our
nation and their generation. New Zealand has a long and proud history of contributing to global peace and security on
the international stage,” he said.
The shortlisted candidates will meet with Mr Finlayson before the final selection process begins. The successful
candidates will be announced early June. Applications are open until 12 May and can be made online at http://tinyurl.com/nzbastille
The Bastille Day Parade Youth Programme is funded by the French and New Zealand governments and supported by the WW100
Programme Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Youth Development and New Zealand Defence Force. The Minister
for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Christopher Finlayson, will attend the Bastille Day Parade as a representative of the
New Zealand government.
Further information is available online at www.WW100.govt.nz/youth-at-bastille-day
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