Simon Matafai represents 54 countries of the Commonwealth of Nations at the Rio+20 World Summit in Brazil

13 June, 2012

Six youth from around the world have been selected to represent the Commonwealth Youth Climate Network at the Rio+20 United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One of the selected six is NZ born Samoan; Simon Matafai.

Simon is no stranger to such international conferences. In 2010, Simon became the first ever selected Pacific Island youth to represent New Zealand at the United Nations MDG Summit in New York. In 2011, he was selected again to represent New Zealand at the United Nations COP17 Summit in Durban, South Africa. Next week’s Rio+20 Summit in Brazil will be another opportunity for Simon to lobby, campaign and advocate strongly on behalf of youth.

"I will be a voice for the voiceless. I will say what world leaders need to hear. I refuse to accept the current passive leadership that threatens my future and the next generation" – Simon Matafai.

Simon is also a musician. He was recently one of the conductors for the Rugby World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony mass choir. Simon directs his own School of Piano, the Auckland Gospel Choir and was the New Zealand Coordinator for the Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest. This was a song competition where youth delivered their messages about world issues through music. The winners of this competition will also be in Rio to perform their original songs before the world.

With a strong passion to serve and establish a positive legacy for the future; Simon aims to be elected as Prime Minister of Samoa. He is completing studies in Music, History and Law at the University of Auckland. You can follow Simon’s journey on www.facebook.com/simonmatafai & twitter.com/simonmatafai

ENDS

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