FOR RELEASE:
17 March 2010

Media Statement

IPU delegation gets young peoples views on youth participation

The delegation who will be representing the New Zealand Parliament at the 122nd Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly has met with a group of young people to discuss their views on youth participation in the democratic process.

As an international organisation of democratic parliaments, the IPU provides a forum for parliaments and parliamentarians to discuss and collaborate on key global issues. A draft resolution on youth participation will be discussed at the 122nd IPU Assembly.

In the meeting, arranged by the Ministry of Youth Development, delegation members Hon Pete Hodgson, Dr Cam Calder, and David Clendon made use of the opportunity to draw on the group’s experiences and explored their views on youth participation

As members of advisory groups to the Office of the Children’s Commission, the Ministry of Youth Development and Aotearoa Youth Voices Network, the group of young people are experienced in representing the views of their peers and are well placed to share these with the members of the delegation.

Delegation leader Hon Pete Hodgson said it is appropriate for New Zealand youth to have input into New Zealand’s contribution to the discussion on this resolution at the assembly.

“Meeting with this group of informed young people was an excellent opportunity to hear their opinions on what young New Zealanders consider are the key issues for them to be involved in the democratic process. This will undoubtedly aid us in our discussions. We also hope to have the opportunity to meet again after the assembly to share the outcomes of discussions on the draft resolution,” he said.

A copy of the draft resolution is available at http://www.ipu.org/conf-e/122/3Cmt-dr-res.doc. The 122nd IPU Assembly is being held in Bangkok, Thailand from 27 March to 1 April 2010.

ENDS

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