Young Kiwis represent New Zealand at Commonwealth Day 2015

Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives

For immediate release – 9 MARCH 2015

Two young New Zealanders will represent New Zealand at Commonwealth Day celebrations in London on 9 March 2015. The two representatives are Alice Wang, a New Zealand Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, and Adam Thompson, a Director of Development based in London.

The New Zealand Parliament is proud to see Alice and Adam involved in this important event, which helps to promote dialogue, democracy and peace across the fifty-three members of the Commonwealth – from Antigua and Barbuda to Zambia.

When searching for the youth representatives, Jacqui Dean MP, Chairperson of New Zealand Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, said that she was looking for young people with fresh and innovative perspectives. Adam and Alice certainly fit the bill; both have a passion for leadership in their respective fields. Adam said he is “looking forward to it because it is a fantastic opportunity to meet young leaders from across the globe, and some of the people shaping the world today”. Likewise, Alice is keen to foster young people’s awareness of and participation in global issues.

Youth representatives from across the Commonwealth will be taking part in the one-day programme, including practical experiences of parliamentary debates, shaped around the theme “A Young Commonwealth”. During the day, Alice and Adam will share New Zealand’s perspectives on democracy, human rights, tolerance and respect, freedom of expression, and sustainable development.

The day’s celebrations also include attendance at the Observance at Westminster Abbey, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth and all Commonwealth High Commissioners in London, and attendance at the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s evening reception.

ENDS

Follow Alice and Adam on Commonwealth Day on Social Media:

Commonwealth Day on Facebook or Twitter.

Tag your social media posts with the hashtag #YoungCommonwealth.

Notes to editors

1. Young people, schools, communities and civil society organisations on the second Monday in March every year celebrate Commonwealth Day across the Commonwealth. It provides an opportunity to promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of Commonwealth organisations.

2. The New Zealand Parliament was a founding member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, formed in 1911 to promote knowledge of the constitutional, legislative, economic, social and cultural aspects of parliamentary democracy, with particular reference to the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.

© Scoop Media