Conference helps build strong young people

There are over 600,000 young people aged 12-24 years in New Zealand. The Involve 06 Conference brings together 500 of the key people that working to support these young people. The conference is being held from 1-3 November, at Lincoln University.

Conference organiser and manager for The New Zealand Association for Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) Sarah Helm said Involve was a chance for a positive focus on young people and their healthy development.

"Involve is an opportunity for those people who work with young people to come together, share skills, network, discuss the issues facing them in their work, and talk about improving the support we give young people."

The conference is about helping people to make a positive contribution to the lives of young people rather than focussing on the negative stereotypes and problems commonly associated with young people, she says.

"Young people who are positively connected to their peers, have an adult role model, feel valued and are able to exercise some decision-making over their lives are more able to make positive contributions to society," Ms Helm says.

Keynote speakers Michelle Dagnino (Canada), Tom Wylie (UK) and Ruth Jones (CCS), the Whiu Whanau (Waikato) will address the conference theme: 'Creatively connecting diverse young people'.

Ms Dagnino will discuss issues such as child labour, youth rates and hip hop. Mr Wylie is expected to make a presentation about the work he does for the National Youth Agency in the UK. Ruth Jones will talk about working with young people who have disabilities.

Involve 06 is organised by the New Zealand Association for Adolescent Health and Development with support from the National Youth Workers Network and the Ministry of Youth Development.

Find out more about the Involve Conference including the full programme at www.involve.org.nz

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