16 OCTOBER 2006

Kiwi Teen Represents New Zealand
At Regional Anti-Violence Study Launch…

Kiwi teenager Michael Bendall has been chosen to represent New Zealand at the East Asia and Pacific regional meeting to release the United Nations Study on Violence Against Children in Bangkok on the 19th October.

Michael is being supported by Save the Children New Zealand at the conference, as part of their work to coordinate child participation in the international study launched at the United Nations last week. He will report on the meeting's proceedings daily with a blog on the Save the Children website.

"I can not wait to attend the release and do my part in the overall vision to rid every country of violence against children," Michael Bendall said.

"To be a part of the regional consultation on violence against children last year and now to be a part of the East Asia and Pacific regional release of the United Nations Violence Against Children Study is something I will be forever grateful for.

"I feel that being a part of this gives me the opportunity to have both my and the youth of New Zealand’s voice heard on an international scale. The opportunity to talk with, socialise with and make change on an issue that I am extremely passionate about, with the world’s leaders, is an honour.

"I have previously done work around the area of violence against children and also things in my school particularly around bullying, which is a massive issue. My passion for the work in this area has stemmed from previous experiences and seeing other people have to deal with this issue.

"I have seen things that are not fair and have seriously imposed and prevented the full development of both children and young people which are not fair. Children have rights, which are unique and supplementary to basic human rights.

"Government is responsible for making policy with child rights in mind but at the end of the day it is each and everyone of us that are responsible for respecting these and giving every child and young person the basic care, protection and rights they deserve," Michael said.

Michael Bendall's web diary will be accessible on the Save the Children website. Go to www.savethechildren.org.nz/michealsblog to see what is happening at the meeting.

ENDS

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