The Minister for Youth Kate Ellis MP is pleased to announce Australia’s Youth Representative, as part of the 2009 Australian Delegation to the United Nations in New York.
“As another successful National Youth Week comes to a close, including over 1,500 events celebrating achievements of young Australians, the Australian Government is committed to giving young Australians a voice on the international stage.
I would like to announce Christopher Varney as Australia’s Youth Representative to the United Nations.”
“The Government is committed to giving young Australians a voice in our community and Christopher will be representing the views of youth from across Australia,” Ms Ellis said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Youth Association of Australia (UNYA) have partnered each year since 1999 to select and support the Youth Representative.
National President of UNYA, Alex Rafalowicz, recognised the importance of the position and said "The Youth Representative position has shown for the last decade that Australian young people can make their mark on the world stage."
Before taking the position in New York, the Youth Representative will embark on wide consultation with young Australians.
“Last year the Australian Government established the Australian Youth Forum to give young Australians a genuine voice in our community and to enable them to speak to Government and each other” said Ms Ellis.
"It will be exciting to see the Australian Youth Forum and Chris work together to make sure that young Australians get their voices heard here in Australia and globally at the UN,” said Mr Rafalowicz.
Mr Varney said "I feel honoured and excited to serve Australia's diverse young people as the 2009 Youth Representative. I am proud of my generation, and their contribution to the Australian community and am looking forward to listening to, celebrating and raising young people's voices."
"Young people are unfortunately thrown many criticisms - unfair generalisations that say we're apathetic, irresponsible and selfish. However I see today's young people as a 'generation of hope' that Australia can be proud of and as Youth Representative I am committed to sharing my generation's story and potential," he added.
Mr Varney has an established commitment to working for young Australians and is currently a Learning and Development Officer with World Vision International.
The youth representative has a varied role including consulting with young Australians about issues important to them, undertaking a range of duties at Australia’s mission to the UN including participating in youth representative activities and upon returning to Australia, reporting back on the outcomes of their experience.
“I wish Christopher all the best and look forward to him representing all young Australians at the UN this year,” Ms Ellis said.
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