12 Aug 2015
Samara Hand (School Captain, 2009), a recent University of New South Wales law graduate is now 24 and studying in Melbourne. She has recently been named one of nine UNICEF Australia Young Ambassadors.
This unique initiative gives young people from all across Australia a platform to speak up for children's rights. Young Ambassadors are trained to consult with children about the important issues in their lives, to report on issues of child rights and to represent the views of young people to decision makers at local, national and international levels. Samara indicates her focus as a youth ambassador in the following excerpt from the UNICEF website:
As an Aboriginal woman, I have a particular interest in the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, especially access to health care, education and legal representation. I have seen firsthand how negative perceptions and past experiences can affect the treatment and opportunities available to Indigenous Australians. This has motivated me to take an active role in speaking up for the rights of Indigenous children.
More information can be found at: UNICEF Youth Ambassadors 2015 When Samara returns to NSW, she has offered to visit and speak to our students.