Nation's youth at the heart of gutsy campaign

Monday 6 August 2007

Nation's youth at the heart of gutsy campaign

The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation's annual World of Difference programme today launched a hard-hitting campaign asking New Zealanders to see the potential in our youth.

The campaign depicts provocative examples of every-day scenes in the lives of troubled Kiwi youth who need a helping hand to step up and be the best they can be.

Foundation Chair Andrea Midgen says the campaign, which will appear in print, online and street advertising, may be confronting for some but is aimed at New Zealanders who can look past their initial judgments of youth and see the potential underneath.

"Our 2006 recipients have shown there are incredible Kiwis who want to make a difference to the lives of our young people. Through this campaign we hope to encourage many more passionate people to apply."

The World of Difference programme pays the salary and expenses of up to six people per year so they can work for their favourite youth-related cause.

Since 2002, the programme has enabled 23 Kiwis to unleash their passion and make a 'world of difference' in New Zealand and overseas. Last year's recipients are currently working in a wide range of areas from providing young boys with reliable male mentors to helping raise awareness of the importance of our youth to the nation's social and economic development and providing programmes for talented, but at risk, youth in South Auckland. Paul Fong is this year working as project director for a programme he developed called Youth Quest which offers a disciplined and regimented three-month programme incorporating a two-week 'outdoors workshop'. Four young men with troubled pasts involving theft, assault, robbery and drugs have just completed the first programme.

"It's amazing to see these young guys feeling proud of themselves, starting new jobs and respecting their family. We're lucky to have the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation behind us, not just for the money, but for real support," he says.

Tackling the potentially devastating effects of eating difficulties in young people is the aim of Maree Burns who is working with EDEN (Eating Difficulties Education Network).

Maree has so far spent her World of Difference year bringing EDEN's work to the forefront of the New Zealand Government's health agenda and is working hard to raise funds for 2008. She has also been supporting EDEN's youth worker and recently collaborated on presentations at the New Zealand Health Teachers and Body Matters conferences. EDEN's conference presentations addressed the concept of body trust and body satisfaction and on the potential dangers of the Internet for young people vulnerable to disordered eating.

The World of Difference programme is open to all New Zealand residents aged over 18 years. Entries close Wednesday, September 19 2007 and must be completed and submitted online at www.worldofdifference.co.nz

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