Was it worth, while? Wellington view: positive results

Press, 15 January 1986, Page 12

Was it worth, while? Wellington view: positive results

Rona Ensor, of Wellington, is the International Youth Year liaison officer for the National Youth Council.

She believes I.Y.Y. has been a success, and should be considered so.

Although the organising committee had many problems, including lack of money, Rona says the longterm goals it achieved made

it a very successful year. The year helped to get young people’s voices heard, she maintains. For instance, a young person is in the Minister of Education’s committee set up to review schools. Better networks among young people were established which will make it easier to find out their opinions in the future. A youth magazine called “Poutama,” which is distri-

bated to all secondary schools, was also begun. “We did have major problems getting informatioon across. The media in general showed very little interest. The word youth is usually associated with juvenile delinquency. Youth is not an easy group to promote,” she points oat. Because of limited finance, the National Youth

Council decided it had to act as a catalyst, feeding ideas to community groups. Rona travelled round the country speaking to as many groups as possible. Then it was left to each community, she explains. With $21,000 for Rona’s salary and all other expenses, the task was not easy. The total grant for three years is $63,000.

“It was a disappointment that some young people did not know it was youth year,” she agrees. A national advertising campaign would have helped., • Rona suggests that possibly the young people interviewed by “The Press” indirectly gained something from 1.Y.Y., especially in terms of their decision-mak-ing powers in the future.