UNICEF Australia Young Ambassadors
The UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador Program provides young people aged 15-24 with a platform to speak up for children’s rights.
Recruited from across Australia, they are trained in leadership, media & communications, government advocacy, and engaging with children and young people.
The program aims to build their capacity to advocate for children’s rights at a local, national and international level, so they can speak up for a fair Australia that protects and supports every child.
"Every child and young person under 18
years of age has the right to participate and
have their opinions included in
decision-making processes that relate to their lives."
- Article 12, UN Convention of the Rights of the Child
Young Ambassador Indi during media training at the UNICEF office in Sydney © UNICEF Australia/Moran
Meet the 2019 Young Ambassadors
From climate campaigners, to refugee rights advocates, to a LGBTI not-for-profit founder from the NT, these incredible young people have come together from across Australia to raise the voices of the children and young people living in their communities. They have unique and diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas, but a common goal: to ensure every child in Australia has a fair chance.
Hawa, 19, Sydney
“We need to establish a place where everyone belongs, and everyone feels they can voice their opinions, have some form of agency and contribute to society in a meaningful way.”
Mason, 18, Devonport
“Coming from Tasmania, I’ve seen that rural and regional areas have greater inequalities than urban areas. I’d like to see young people in regional and remote areas have more access to services."
Emily, 16, Warrnambool
“The language towards women and girls is derogatory, and I am sick of hearing it as a social norm. The way our politicians talk to women and the way our society makes women seem, it shows that we still need to make a lot of progress.”
Daphne, 16, Sydney
“Working with kids in the past I’ve realised that children have a lot to say and what they say is important and needs to be heard.”
Jacob, 19, Canberra
“The phrase ‘real action on climate change’ has been tossed around a lot in politics, but we are yet to see any sufficient long-term planning or actions put in place. Through my position as a Young Ambassador I plan to remind the government that children and young people are the largest stakeholders in this issue."
Jumana, 19, Perth
“Much of the integration of refugees is based on the kindness of strangers in Australia - I came to realise that there needs to be more from the Government.”
Frank, 19, Katherine
“When I was 17, I realised that in Katherine there were no support services for the LGBT community – at all really. So I decided to start my own group, my own service that could provide support to the those that didn’t have it.”
Brian, 16, Melbourne
“Every child should have a loving home and should get the opportunity to develop and grow.”
Mahendra, 22, Adelaide
“Every child, regardless of who they are, where they live, or how much money they have, should be able to access an education that allows them to understand themselves and their world and allows them to think about why their world is the way it is, and how they can change it for the better.”
Rhett, 19, Brisbane
“People with disabilities are in our communities, and we see them, and we know they’re there, but it’s almost a glass ceiling effect - they start a step behind us. I’d love to do my bit to help them get a chance to be a part of a community.”
What do they do?
Each year, the UNICEF Australia Young Ambassadors meet with thousands of children in their communities to find out what matters to young people. They then raise the issues they hear with key decision-makers.
In April 2019 the 2018-19 Young Ambassadors launched the
A Climate for Change: 2019 Young Ambassador Report. The report is a culmination of what they heard from over 1,500 children and young people, as well as a survey of a further 1,007 14 to 17-year-olds.
The Young Ambassadors will be taking the report to Canberra in September 2019 to share their findings with key decision-makers.
Want your school to be involved?
If your school, club or community group would be interested in hosting a consultation with the Young Ambassadors - let us know. Email education@unicef.org.au or call Vanessa, Child and Youth Participation Coordinator, on 02 8917 3256.
Please include your organisation’s name, address, age of the children/young people to be involved, organiser’s contact name, number and email.
Thank you for getting to know our Young Ambassadors and for your continued support of children's rights.
Want to join the Young Ambassador Program?
Applications for the 2021-22 Young Ambassador Program will be opening July 1st 2020. Please
sign up to our mailing list as well as follow us on social media to be notified of when applications open. Any questions please contact
ya@unicef.org.au.