Our Young Ambassadors are passionate, motivated and empowered. They are the voices of the future.
At UNICEF Australia, our 12-month program gives young people aged 15-24 the opportunity to speak up for children’s rights and what matters to Australia's young people.
Recruited from across Australia, they are trained in leadership, government advocacy, media and communications, and engaging with children and young people.
Young Ambassadors bring their skills and lived experiences to the issues that UNICEF Australia advocates for. We work to ensure every child and young person has an equal opportunity to thrive and survive, no matter the circumstances or challenges they face.
This is your chance speak up for a fair Australia that protects and supports every child.
Applications now open for 2022!
This is an opportunity for young Australians of all identities and experiences between the ages of 15-24. The program empowers young people to speak up on and influence the issues that are important, and we would love you to apply!
Applications close 26 September.
Young Ambassador Hawa visits Parliament House in Canberra. © UNICEF Australia/Moran
"The Young Ambassador program
is a fantastic and amazing
experience – it’s changed my life."
- Hawa, UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador, 2019-2020
What do the Young Ambassadors do?
Every child and young person under 18 have the right to participate and
have their opinions included in decision-making processes that relate to their lives, according to Article 12 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.
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 these issues with our nation’s key decision-makers.
In June 2021, the Young Ambassadors launched ‘
Children’s Voices in a Changing World’, the final report of a three-part series during the coronavirus pandemic.
The surveys gathered the opinions of 4,078 young people aged seven to 20 years old from around the nation, over a 12-month period. These findings were presented to the country leaders in Canberra.
Meet the 2019/2021 Young Ambassadors
From climate campaigners to refugee rights advocates, to founders of LGBTI not-for-profits, these incredible young people have come together from across Australia to raise the voices of the children and young people.
Hawa, 21, 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, 20, Hobart
“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, 18, Warrnambool
“I have met some truly inspiring and genuine people in terms of fellow Young Ambassadors, UNICEF Australia staff and young people that I have had the opportunity to speak to through consultations. I feel as if I am part of something bigger than myself while being surrounded by people that really care about me.”
Daphne, 18, 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, 21, Melbourne
"I'm passionate about climate change and the environment and I think a lot of young people are as well."
Jumana, 21, 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, 21 Melbourne
“When I was 17, I realised that in Katherine, Northern Territory 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, 18, Canberra
“Every child should have a loving home and should get the opportunity to develop and grow.”
Mahendra, 24, 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, 21, Brisbane
"The opportunity to consult and chat to young people, their ideas, perspectives and passion for the wellbeing of themselves, their friends and their country is something to be admired."
We’d love to hear from you
If you are under 18 years of age you need to seek permission from your parent or guardian to participate in the program.