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Young People's Reference Group
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What is the Young People's Advisory Group (YPAG)?
What does the YPAG do?
Key attributes of YPAG members
What should members expect?
What are meetings like?
How long can YPAG members stay on the Group?
More information?
What is the Young People's Advisory Group (YPAG)?
The Young People's Advisory Group (YPAG) 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.
Download A Quick Guide to the Young People's Advisory Group here.
What the YPAG Does
• Informs the Children’s Commissioner face to face about what is important to young people• Helps the Children’s Commissioner in his role standing up for the well-being of children and young people in New Zealand /Aotearoa
• Writes articles for ‘Children’, the Commissioner’s newsletter
• Provides input into government policy and decisions that affect young people
• Networks and connects with other reference groups and young people, especially in their region
• Organises and participates in youth events
• Develops resources, tools and lead projects
• Meets with government officials to provide input and ideas into government work
• Has national and local involvement with the media
• Meets four times a year and has regular communication with the Commissioner and his office.
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 |
- show leadership potential |
| - aware of resources available in their communities |
- good at writing |
| - confident public speakers |
- great at facilitating meetings |
What should members expect?
The Children's Commissioner wants members of the YPAG 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 Office of the Children's Commissioner;
- prepare for, attend, and participate in YPAG 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 Office of the Children's Commissioner with a regional round-up at all YPAG 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 Office of the Children's Commissioner'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 YPAG meetings;
- speak at public forums and other gatherings.
What are the meetings like?
YPAG 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 Office of the Children's Commissioner staff work out with members' schools. The Office of the Children's Commissioner organises and pays for all transport, accommodation, food and entertainment.
Each YPAG member's contribution is valued by the Office of the Children's Commissioner. Preparing for meetings and carrying out networking tasks as well as attending school and participating in tele-conferences, YPAG members have time and workload commitments to manage. The Office of the Children's Commissioner helps each member manage these commitments. Members are paid for their attendance at meetings.
How long can YPAG members stay on the Group?
YPAG members are committed to two years as a member of the Group. The upper age limit for participation in the YPAG is 18 years.
More information?
Contact the YPAG co-ordinator at the Office of the Children's Commissioner:
- Online at http://www.occ.org.nz
- Email youth_voices@occ.org.nz
- Free phone 0800 224 453 ext 41108