Thursday, 20 October 2016

PR: Young Kiwi leaders to make our cities more inclusive and safe

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Four young kiwis will travel to Singapore this weekend to undertake an intensive Commonwealth-focused leadership programme and develop their ability to cross divides and thrive in multiple cultures

Marek Townley, Anna Prestidge, Isobel Pepper, and La Rochelle Morgan have been selected to attend 33Sixty in Singapore and will spend one week seeking solutions to the challenge posed by the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, QC, “What can our generation of the Commonwealth do now to make our cities more inclusive and safe in 2030?”

33Sixty, delivered by leadership development experts Common Purpose, provides a framework in which participants can tackle challenges of fundamental importance to the Commonwealth.

"As an alumnus of 33Fifty, the predecessor to 33Sixty, I know that these four outstanding leaders will develop their own personal leadership styles as well as make amazing connections from around the world", said Aaron Hape, Commonwealth Youth New Zealand's Executive Director.

"Participants of this programme have gone on to do amazing things and many have been successful in ensuring their local communities are benefiting from those skills they learnt in this programme"

Participants will explore the challenge through in-depth conversations with talented leaders from all sectors and behind-the-scenes visits to a range of incredible organisations to give them a cutting-edge insight into the challenge.

On the final day of the programme, participants will present their responses to the challenge to a panel of senior industry leaders.

For more information, visit the 33Sixty website.

ENDS

Participant biographies

La Rochelle Morgan (Wellington)
La Rochelle is a third year student at Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) studying a Bachelor of Laws alongside a Bachelor of Arts. She has always had a strong passion for closing the gaps for the less fortunate and ensuring vulnerable children are safe. In addition to being a Pasifika Student Ambassador at Victoria University this year, she is also part of the Directors Team for Kids Camp New Zealand. She is of Maori, Samoan and Irish descent, and hailing from Ngai Tāmanuhiri and Ngāti Porou and the villages Magiagi and Sapapali’i.

Marek Townley (Auckland)
Marek Townley is studying towards a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington. He works part-time for the Office of the Clerk as a Chamber Officer at the New Zealand Parliament. Marek has extensive experience in youth engagement and civic affairs, and recently co-founded Active Citizenship Aotearoa, an organisation working to empower, engage and educate young people to become active citizens.

Isobel Pepper (Wellington)
Isobel is a second year Law and Accounting student at Victoria University of Wellington. She is an executive member of Commonwealth Youth New Zealand, and has recently organized an event for CYNZ addressing gender inequality and leadership opportunities for women. Isobel has been passionate about gender inequality since 2013 when she was selected to represent Australasian Girls' Schools at the National Coalition of Girls School Conference in Dallas, Texas. Isobel is also a mentor for the youth leadership organisation yLead, and works part-time for a Wellington investment banker.

Anna Prestidge (Wellington)
Anna is Laws and Arts student majoring in International Relations and minoring in Philosophy. She has enjoyed an array of academic successes over the years, including Victoria University’s Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship. Aside from her academic achievements, Anna is a keen leader in the community. She is currently a Residential Advisor at one of the university halls where she facilitates student well-being and community growth, and is a volunteer Rights Presenter for Community Law. She additionally is a keen classical singer. Anna is thrilled to be attending 33Sixty Singapore as she is highly interested in security studies and community building. She hopes this experience will help draw connections and expand her theoretical knowledge of creating safety and inclusiveness and her practical experience of applying such ideas in everyday life.

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About Commonwealth Youth New Zealand

Commonwealth Youth New Zealand educates young Kiwis about the purpose and importance of the Commonwealth and provides opportunities to engage with the values the Commonwealth stands for.

We address the issues young New Zealanders find most important by consulting with and presenting your views to Commonwealth decision makers and government officials.

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