The St Hilda's Collegiate School pupil is one of 50 secondary school pupils from around New Zealand, and the only one from Otago, to be selected for the event which gives 16- and 17-year-olds a taste of life as a Unicef delegate.
Katya (17) said the congress was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the world, share ideas about how to make a difference, and gain the skills needed to take action.
"The issues of today are as much our responsibility as anyone else's and I think global awareness is really important from a young age.
"Everyone deserves respect and the right to be heard. Young people are not only the future - we are the present."
Unicef New Zealand advocacy officer Pip Bennett was delighted so many young New Zealanders were engaged and interested in global issues.
"The congress is just one way of giving young people a platform to be heard. These students are our future and we are very excited to hear what they have to say on current global issues."
Pupils will receive training on the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child, and a practical focus on how to use communications for advocacy, she said.
The event, which is part-funded by Unesco, will target development issues in the Pacific to coincide with the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September this year.
Key speakers from the Pacific, including Unicef ambassador Mike McRoberts, will address the congress to give an insight into pressing issues facing the region, such as climate change and poverty, she said.
The St Hilda's Collegiate School pupil is one of 50 secondary school pupils from around New Zealand, and the only one from Otago, to be selected for the event which gives 16- and 17-year-olds a taste of life as a Unicef delegate.
Katya (17) said the congress was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the world, share ideas about how to make a difference, and gain the skills needed to take action.
"The issues of today are as much our responsibility as anyone else's and I think global awareness is really important from a young age.
"Everyone deserves respect and the right to be heard. Young people are not only the future - we are the present."
Unicef New Zealand advocacy officer Pip Bennett was delighted so many young New Zealanders were engaged and interested in global issues.
"The congress is just one way of giving young people a platform to be heard. These students are our future and we are very excited to hear what they have to say on current global issues."
Pupils will receive training on the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child, and a practical focus on how to use communications for advocacy, she said.
The event, which is part-funded by Unesco, will target development issues in the Pacific to coincide with the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in September this year.
Key speakers from the Pacific, including Unicef ambassador Mike McRoberts, will address the congress to give an insight into pressing issues facing the region, such as climate change and poverty, she said.
