As we mark the second anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque attacks, our UNESCO Aotearoa New Zealand Youth Leaders share their memories of that tragic day, the impact it has had on them and their thoughts on being a Muslim in New Zealand. Today, Shahin Najak, New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Special Advisor shares her… Read more »

UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leader Naheed Saeid reflects on the thoughts that ran through her mind, two years ago, as the news of the Christchurch mosque attacks reached her.

Two years after the Christchurch mosque attacks UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leader Sondos Quraan reflects on the events of that tragic day and shares her thoughts on where we are as a country today and how, as a nation, we can shape a positive future together. “To this event, we say never again. Never again will… Read more »

This week our UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders reflect on how the events of March 15 have impacted and shaped them. Today, Raiyan Azmi reflects on his journey over the past two years. “March 15th was a tough day – in fact, one of the toughest. Waleed Aly described it as ‘slaughter by appointment’, and I… Read more »

The New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO has appointed four new members to its UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders group. They are [listed in alphabetical order]: Raiyan Azmi, Ethan Jerome-Leota, Sabrina Manū, and Sondos Quraan. Shahin Najak is the group’s new Chair, taking over from Ashlee Peacock. As Special Advisor – Youth she will attend all… Read more »

UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leader, Naheed Saeid spent last Friday in Wellington learning the art of game development. Here she feeds back on the session that was designed with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in mind. Last Friday I had the privilege of attending a hack-a-thon/game design session run by Gamefroot, an organisation aiming to blur… Read more »

The UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders have spent the past few weeks reflecting on Matariki which plays a significant role in Māori culture in signifying the start of the New Year and for plantings to begin. Here Blair Kapa-Peters and Ashlee Peacock share their experiences of Matariki.   Blair: For some, the Māori Calendar begins with… Read more »

Youth Leaders Morgan King and Brodie Cross joined the Evironmental Protection Agency’s Te Herenga hui in Porirua in March. The purpose of the hui was to bring rangatahi Māori together to discuss the importance of involving youth when addressing current and future issues for our taiao (environment). Brodie and Morgan report back.   The hui… Read more »

The New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO has appointed five new members to its UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders group. They are [listed in alphabetical order]: Anne-Sophie Page, Bella, Simpson, Blair Kapa-Peters, Brodie Cross and Naheed Saeid. Ashlee Peacock is the group’s new Chair, taking over from Raven Maeder. As Special Advisor – Youth she will… Read more »

Aotearoa Youth Leader, Māia Tapsell, spent a couple of days in Auckland earlier this month at a summit encouraging young people to help foster more spoken reo throughout Aotearoa. Here she reflects. The Raranga. Tahi Summit was held by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau on the 4th and 5th of… Read more »