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Quick Guide to the YPRG
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What is the Young People's Reference Group (YPRG)?
What does the YPRG do?
Key attributes of YPRG members
What should members expect?
What are meetings like?
How long can YPRG members stay on the Group?
More information?
What is the Young People's Reference Group (YPRG)?
The Young People's Reference Group (YPRG) is a group of young people aged between 12 and 18 years from around New Zealand who provide advice to the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC).
What does the YPRG do?
The group...
- provides advice to the OCC on national and regional issues for children and young people.
- comments on and has input into the OCC's strategic direction.
- assists the OCC with its obligations to consult with children and young people - They do this by building regional networks and finding out what young people in their region think about issues, and by engaging in existing structures such as schools, youth councils, church groups, cultural groups, and other networks.
- assists the advancement of OCC's mission and vision - This may be done by sharing their understanding of children's and young people's rights with others, writing letters to the editor about children and youth issues, speaking at conferences, and attending and participating in a range of meetings.
- can give advice to other government agencies on policies, services, and programmes being developed for children and young people as guided by OCC staff.
Key attributes of members
Members of the YPRG are:
| - aware of children's and young people's rights |
- passionate about children's and young people's rights |
| - good networkers |
- involved in community activities |
| - team players |
- experienced at 'leading' |
| - aware of resources available in their communities |
- good at writing |
| - confident public speakers |
- great at facilitating meetings |
What should members expect?
The OCC wants members of the YPRG to...
- have fun, develop their skills, and work as a team;
- learn about children's and young people's rights, and the role of the Children's Commissioner and the OCC;
- prepare for, attend, and participate in YPRG meetings;
- participate in monthly tele-conference calls;
- comment on and have input into issues impacting on children and young people, at local and national levels;
- provide the OCC with a regional round-up at all YPRG meetings - these round-ups contain issues and activities affecting children and young people which the members have observed or been involved in at a regional or national level;
- bring matters to the OCC's attention which are relevant to the Commissioner's work;
- build networks with other children and young people in their communities, people who work with children and young people, and decision makers in their region (e.g. other schools, Youth Aid Officers, local council representatives);
- attend at least 90% of all YPRG meetings;
- speak at public forums and other gatherings.
What are the meetings like?
YPRG meetings are held approximately every 8 - 10 weeks (i.e. once each school term). They are organised to be on weekends, or on alternative dates that OCC staff work out with members' schools. The OCC organises and pays for all transport, accommodation, food and entertainment.
Each YPRG member's contribution is valued by the OCC. Preparing for meetings and carrying out networking tasks as well as attending school and participating in tele-conferences, YPRG members have time and workload commitments to manage. The OCC helps each member manage these commitments. Members are paid for their attendance at meetings.
How long can YPRG members stay on the Group?
YPRG members are committed to two years as a member of the Group. If their age permits, members may be considered for re-appointment for an additional term.
The upper age limit for participation in the YPRG is 18 years.
More information?
Contact the YPRG co-ordinator at the Office of the Children's Commissioner:
- Online at http://www.occ.org.nz
- Email children@occ.org.nz
- Free phone 0800 224 453