MEET THE JF CREW OFF TO THE PACIFIC YOUTH FESTIVAL
The Pacific Youth Festival is being held in Tahiti from July 17-22 this year. It is the first festival of its kind and aim to give Pacific youth the chance to have their voice heard and create their own youth charter - something which was severely lacking in the World Youth Festival of which this is an offshoot. Just Focus is taking eight dedicated members to the PYF. Here they are:
Te Rito Peyroux, 24, Auckland
Born and raised in Auckland, but of Cook Island, Fijian, Tahitian, French and English descent, Te Rito can’t wait for the PYF. She is looking forward to networking, making new friends, having a good time and absorbing some island culture. On a more serious note, she looks forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the issues raised by other groups of young people in the Pacific, particularly in regard to Identity, Cultural Diversity, Peace, and Equitable Education. “It certainly sounds like it’s going to be a vibrant, exciting and rewarding experience to be a part of.”
Corinna Howland, 16, Wellington
Corinna is excited about having the opportunity to meet like-minded people and discuss global issues that she feels strongly about (such as human rights and sustainable development) in a Pacific context. She hopes to become more informed about those issues and find constructive ways to help improve the state of the world we live in. “It sounds a bit pompous haha… but it’s true!”
Omar Hamed, 17, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Omar is a History and Sociology student at Auckland University. The “hyperactivist” (as he has been described by some) helped set up Radical Youth a group of young people in Auckland committed to social change. The PYF is a chance for him to increase regional awareness about neo-colonialism in the Pacific.
Nicole Mathewson, 18, Reefton
From the midst of the Wild West Coast Nicole is excited to get the chance to travel to Tahiti for the PYF, especially because it will be her first time out of New Zealand. Nicole hopes to use her experience in Tahiti to learn more about local and global issues and to find ways that she can get involved in those. “And I’m really looking forward to meeting some cool new people and getting away from the evil Reefton fog!”
Geoff Cooper, 23, Auckland
Born in Dallas, Texas, but bred in good old New Zealand, Geoff is an economics student and an UN intern working out of World Vision New Zealand. His motive for attending the PYF is to learn more about where the global economy has come from and where it’s heading. “These insights must be taken back to New Zealand and used practically in our very own country.” Geoff hopes to increase his understanding of international perspectives on issues like social justice, and be able to share his views and perspective on different issues.
Charmaine Clark, 27, Gisborne
Char voluntarily runs the Tairawhiti Youth Development Trust and is employed with the Tairawhiti Polytechnic as a researcher for the Maori Studies department. She is involved with several other community development and youth projects and believes that having a strong and clear analysis about the realities, struggles and disparities in our society is crucial to be able to begin developing as a community. Char envisages that the festival will broaden her knowledge and present challenges to her as well as her offering the same to the other delegates. Char has organised community forum prior to her departure to gather a community/youth mandate specific to the festival themes, she says this gives her a greater understanding and better support to act on behalf and as a delegate more effectively.
Elise Broadbent, 23, Wellington
Elise is passionate about anything that promotes peace, diversity, and acceptance of all people. She believes the festival will be a unique opportunity for young people to share their voice, tell their stories and work together in building a more just and sustainable future for everyone. “I hope to learn new skills, inspiring ideas, share stories and celebrate the cultural diversity of the Pacific region. As a passionate campaigner for global justice issues, I am excited about networking at the festival with other like-minded campaigners from around the Pacific. I also plan to bring fresh information, inspiring ideas and my experiences at the festival back to N.Z to use as a tool for development and change.”
Pip Bennett, 20, Wellington
A third-year student in Linguistics and Development Studies at Victoria University, Pip hopes the Pacific Youth Festival will allow her to engage in intelligent conversation with like-minded people. She looks forward to experiencing an entirely different culture from what she is used to and being in a non-English speaking country. “It’s good experience for a career in this area and is something that employers will value.”
If you have any thoughts about the Festival, or want to make sure any special points get made at the PYF then go to the forum discussion and have a chat with the JF crew!
