Youth event bigger, bolshier

Students at last year's Northland Youth Summit at NorthTec. Photo/File

Comedian, actor, writer and singer Madeleine Sami will be the keynote speaker at the bigger, bolshier 2014 Northland Youth Summit that organisers describe as "Dragon's Den meets the Apprentice".

The summit aims to provide a platform for young people to develop the confidence to speak-up about the issues that matter to them and their communities. It will act as an incubator for community development projects, with participants able to allocate funds to 10 projects for the community good.

Among messages the summit will expand on and expect youngsters to take ownership of are "Do something about it", "It's in your hands" and "You've got the power".

The two day summit, on May 22-23, will be held at Kaitaia's Te Ahu Centre and will be open to 100 young Northlanders.

Last year's inaugural event was held at the NorthTec campus in Whangarei and resulted in a youth-driven campaign to raise awareness about the region's youth suicide rates.

The call is out now for applications from people aged 12 to 24 for a place at this year's summit, which offers free transport, food and accommodation. Applications close on April 30.

Ms Sami, well known for her multiple roles in the television series Super City, will lead an opening workshop. Her keynote address will be open to any young people from the public whereas the other events over two days will be for participants only, said Rosie Riggir, Funding and Projects Co-ordinator for Chart (Culture Heritage Arts Resource Trust). Buses will be put on to take youth summit participants from other Northland centres to Kaitaia.

Application forms from: www.northlandyouthsummit.com. or anyone wanting hard copies of the application form, posters or stickers can contact northlandyouthsummit14@ gmail.com.