Secondary students from around the motu will step up to the challenge of sharing their own personal heartfelt stories as well as inspiring Aotearoa to view the ’’The way you fertilise a tree determines how it will grow ... To eradicate racism is to eradicate the toxic ideologies we are fertilising the next generation with because racism is a toxic cycle that starts in the mind.’’
Those were the powerful words of Kiwi-Nigerian Esther Sovincet that made her the 2023 Race Unity Speech Awards champion in Auckland last year.
This year’s Race Unity Speech Awards theme is ’’Te Taura Tangata — The Rope of Unity’’.
This theme focuses on fostering cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand through inclusivity, empathy and respect for differing beliefs and diversity based on respectful relationships with each other and tangata whenua.
Eight students from the Central South Island will take part in this year’s regional competition on March 26 at Te Aitarakihi, 50 Bridge Rd, Timaru.
The Central South Island regional champion from last year was Shian Coskerie, a pupil representing Roncalli College in Timaru.
Roncalli College promotes the Race Unity Speech Awards as a way for students to explore race-related issues and propose solutions for a more cohesive New Zealand community.
The award highlights the positive impact that young individuals can have on society when they are encouraged to engage with important social issues and work towards creating a stronger and more inclusive environment.
Champions from the regional heats will attend the semifinal, finals, and a national hui in Auckland on May 4-5.
