Better World
Youth Summit

Event Program

By UNICEF Australia, supported by the Bupa Foundation and hosted by Taronga Zoo

"Children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them and to have their opinions taken into account."
Article 12, UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.

Welcome to the Better World Youth Summit. We look forward to hearing your perspective on what makes a better world for Australian children and young people.

Throughout the Summit you will:

Voice your opinions on what urban and rural communities of the future should look like.
Hear unique perspectives on topics of mental health, climate change, sustainability and wellbeing from speakers of influence.
Attend immersive skills development sessions to help you gain a deeper understanding of your impact and role in the world.

The Better World Youth Summit is designed and led by young people from UNICEF Australia, the Bupa Foundation, and the Taronga Conservation Society Australia and prioritises the voices of children and young people across the nation.

The Better World Youth Summit acknowledges the Cammeraigal people, their Country, spirit and traditions as customary owners of the land upon which Taronga Zoo Sydney stands.

Children and young people, just like you, have the right to live and grow up in a place where they can; play, learn, access basic services, feel safe, have clean air and water, and a sustainable climate.

But with growing urbanisation, increased frequency of climate driven emergencies and persistent inequality, we need to ensure that cities and communities are more equitable and sustainable for future generations.

"In Australia, children and young people aged 0-24 years make up 30% of the population."
ARACY & UNICEF Australia

UNICEF Australia will share your opinions and perspectives shared at the Better World Youth Summit with key decision-makers including government, businesses, and community organisations.

SAFETY NOTES

If you get lost or need help during the Summit, please contact UNICEF Australia’s Child and Youth Engagement Coordinator, Lizzie Heath on 0433 431 719.

Everyone has a right to be safe. If you or your peers don't feel safe during the Summit, or you see something that concerns you, please call UNICEF Australia’s Safeguarding Focal Point, Adrienne O'Dell on 0402 159 834.

SCHEDULE

Summit commence

10am

Welcome to Country and commencement speech

Tony Stuart, CEO, UNICEF Australia

Keynote address

10:20 – 10:45am

My vision for a better world: How young people can help create more sustainable and inclusive communities

Cr. HY William Chan,  Architect, City of Sydney Councillor and former UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador

Panel

10:50 – 11:35am

A better world for all: How a group of young leaders are making positive change in their communities (and how you can too)

Jahin Tanvir, Founder and CEO of Breathe. and UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador

Jada Whyman, Sydney FC W-League footballer

Andrew Daly, Zookeeper, Taronga Zoo Sydney

Morning tea

11:35 – 11:55am

Light morning tea will be served in the Taronga Institute foyer.

Skills workshops

11:55 – 12:50pm

Positive storytelling through social media. Lecture Theatre, Taronga Institute
Sustainable gifting as activism. Burra and Guru Rooms, Taronga Institute.
Interactive tour of Taronga Zoo. Zoo grounds.

Lunch

12:50 – 1:50pm

Free time for you to explore Taronga Zoo and lunch packs will be served for students and teachers to take with them.

*You must be supervised by your teachers whilst in the Zoo grounds.

Innovation sprint

1:50 – 3:45pm

Designing our future

Summit wrap up

3:45 – 4pm

Closing remarks

Hisham El-Ansary, CEO, Bupa Asia Pacific

Summit concludes

4pm

The Better World Youth Summit is moderated by Taronga Zoo’s Manager of Guest Experience, People and Programs, former zookeeper and National Geographic TV presenter, Hayden Turner.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Meet Councillor HY William Chan, architect, City of Sydney Councillor and former UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador.

William is a youth rights advocate, city maker and social entrepreneur, innovating for inclusion and environmental resilience in our local communities.

William is the youngest-ever independent to be elected to the City of Sydney Council. Serving on the Lord Mayoral governing team, he is committed to opening up local politics to younger and more diverse people.

As UNICEF Australia’s Young Ambassador, William co-authored Australia’s report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, championing the voice of 2,000 young Australians.

William is an executive of Climate Emergency Australia and previously led the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) on its national council. He was inducted into the Young Australian of the Year Awards Honour Roll in 2020.

"Do you dare fight for a sustainable future? Do you dare to lead our generation?"
HY William Chan

Panel

Meet Summit MC Paul Maguire

Paul is the Director of Education at Taronga Conservation Society Australia and has worked there for over 25 years. He is passionate about nature, conservation, youth, Indigenous issues and behaviour change.

Paul is passionate about supporting young people to become advocates for conservation. To achieve this goal, he has developed innovative education programs, exhibits, experiences and partnerships.

"I want to support young people who will do more and be more for the wild”.
Paul Maguire, Taronga Conservation Society

Paul has developed many behaviour change campaigns at Taronga with a focus on illegal wildlife trade, sustainable seafood, plastics free oceans and sustainable palm oil. These campaigns have won both national and international awards for their significant and positive impacts on wild species and habitats.

Paul's favourite native animal is the Echidna!

Meet your panelists Jahin, Jada and Andrew

How a group of young leaders are making positive change in their communities (and how you can too).

Change can start small but lead to great impact – three young leaders will discuss how they have positively contributed to their communities while maintaining their physical and mental wellbeing. From professional sport, entrepreneurship, advocacy, conservation, and zoo keeping, Jahin, Jada and Andrew bring diverse lived-experience and expertise to this interactive panel where they outline how young people can help create a better world.

Jahin Tanvir is an award-winning keynote and TEDx speaker, board director and multicultural youth advocate. At 21-years-old, Jahin is the Founder & CEO of Breathe., an EdTech social enterprise providing public speaking education to young people, and marginalised communities around Australia.

Jahin was recently named the 2022 Young Australian of the Year finalist whilst also receiving the 2021 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year in Individual Community Service. Jahin is a Board Director of the Adolescent Health Association of Australia and the Youth Coalition of the ACT.  Jahin is an advisor for the Australian Department of Health in which he informs health care communications as well as being a consultant for leading anti-racism and health research organisations. Jahin was also recently named as a UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador for 2022.

As a first-generation migrant, Jahin’s vision is to empower people from diverse backgrounds in decision-making and conversations, representing the multiculturalism of Australia.

Jada Whyman is a leading Australian footballer who has established herself as the premier goalkeeper in A-League Women’s where she currently plays for Sydney FC and has made 65 appearances in the competition.

Having represented Australia at U-17 and U-20 level, Jada has received multiple selections for Matildas camps and is currently featuring for the Matildas at the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship in the Philippines. 

A proud Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman, she serves as an ambassador for the Moriarty Foundation and supports the next generation of footballers within its football program. Additionally, Jada has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) young people and communities through the Australian Institute of Sport’s ‘Share a Yarn’ program and is passionate about being a role model and empowering Indigenous youths to follow their dreams.

Andrew Daly is a zookeeper with Taronga Zoo Sydney. He is passionate about bringing awareness to the plights of Australian wildlife and their habitats and reducing our environmental footprint on the planet.

SKILLS WORKSHOPS

During the breakout portion of the Summit, students have the choice of attending one of three fun, engaging and educational skills workshops.

Positive storytelling

Positive storytelling through social media

Lecture Theatre

Social media has become a powerful tool in helping young people connect and support each other through the complexities and anxieties of modern life. Utilising the platform TikTok, this session will teach you about online safety and how to communicate positive messages around mental health through recreating and subverting popular social media trends.

Guided by current UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador and mental health advocate Emily Unity and Tithi Mukherjee from ReachOut Australia, you will brainstorm, perform, and communicate your own advocacy message in the form of a TikTok video.

Meet Emily Unity

Emily is passionate about young people’s voices and creating better mental health supports for everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from.

Meet Tithi Mukherjee

Tithi is the Youth Involvement Coordinator at ReachOut Australia. She's passionate about mental health advocacy and supporting young people to become the voice of their communities.

During this session we will be discussing sensitive topics around mental health. If you are experiencing negative thoughts or feelings, there are services out there to listen and help. They are free, confidential and available 24/7.

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

13YARN: 13 92 76 to speak with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter

If you are in immediate danger dial 000

Check out Reach Out Australia for more services.

Sustainable gifting

Sustainable gifting as activism

Burra and Guru rooms

In this session you will learn about making gifts and everyday items using household basics and repurposed and sustainable materials as an alternative to purchasing commercial products, reducing their environmental footprint.

You can make your own sustainable gift – beeswax food wraps, using organic beeswax and repurposed cotton fabrics. This workshop is designed to empower you to make the best decisions for yourselves and the planet, promoting the ethos that our daily choices, and sustainable decision-making itself, is a form of activism.

Facilitator

Kirsty Mootz, Founder and Maker, Parva Little Things.

U-Speak Zoo Tour

Interactive tour of Taronga Zoo

Zoo grounds

Join the Better World Youth Summit Steering Committee to explore the grounds of world-famous Taronga Zoo for this interactive tour. You will engage in conversations on critical issues including Australian conservation, youth activism, mental health, and sustainability. You will workshop your thoughts and perspectives through facilitated discussions linked to specific animal habitats throughout the Zoo, utilising UNICEF Australia’s interactive conversation-starter platform, U-Speak.

Need a map of the Zoo?

Facilitators

Grace McColm-Monaghan, 2022 UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador

Grace is planning on undertaking veterinary medicine at University. She is passionate about animals and sustainable practices as they help not only humans to thrive but our whole ecosystem as well.

Jessica Julian, YATZ (Youth at the Zoo) Leader, Taronga Zoo Sydney.

Jess is studying to become a zookeeper whilst working in guest experience at Taronga. Jess loves a good animal fact and encourages you please come and share yours throughout the Summit!

Click here to access U-Speak!

INNOVATION SPRINT

Designing our future

Lecture Theatre

What would a child friendly community look like if children were prime ministers?

In the final session of the Better World Youth Summit, you will draw on what you have heard throughout the day to collaboratively design and present your vision for a better world.

Lead by UNICEF Australia’s and Bupa’s innovation specialists, Zunilka and James, this sprint is designed to bring fun and play into the closing activity of the day, to open minds, get creative and inspire you to think differently, in a safe and supported environment.

Facilitators

Zunilka C. Whitnall, Innovation Lead, UNICEF Australia

James Allingham, Head of Innovation and Growth, Health Services, Bupa