| Archive - these pages are part of the continuing record of Executive Government - for the current Administration , see www.beehive.govt.nz |
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Spring 2001
 Preventing harassment
Laila spent an afternoon with Mika, his dancers (pictured) and a group of young Aucklanders recently discussing strategies to overcome sexual harassment in the workplace. The group agreed that having the self-confidence to speak up is the best way to deal with this form of discrimination, but it's not something all young people feel able to do. For more information on dealing with sexual harassment check out the Human Rights Commission website, www.hrc.co.nz.
Firstly, this year's Youth Awareness Week (17 - 23 September) is all about creating space for young people to be themselves and an opportunity for adults to support the many positive forms of self -expression this involves. Like trying out different clothes and images, finding ways to express yourself is an important part of being young. But without the support and encouragement of grown ups this can mean fewer positive experiences than it should. As one young person commented in their submission on the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa, there needs to be an acceptance by adults of the rights of young people before real change can take place. I think the basic right young people have to be themselves would be a good one to start with. The second significant date this month was Suffrage Day on September 19, when I hosted a breakfast for young women at Parliament. I was deeply impressed with their opinions on how New Zealand is doing in its bid to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, as set out in a UN Convention that New Zealand signed up to in 1985. As Suffrage Day reminds us, the fight for women's rights has a much more established place in our history books than the movement that is growing around youth rights, but there is still much progress to be made. So if we want to make traction on youth rights, we need to give the issues raised by events like Youth Awareness Week more than just a seven-day airing. Let's make this year's theme the starting point for our ongoing campaign 
Both Alliance and Labour made a commitment to improved youth radio services in their 1999 election manifestos. Alliance policy called for the establishment of a nationwide non-commercial youth radio network, similar to Australia's Triple J network. The Labour Party's policy involved the networking together of already existing and future youth radio programmes, with links to student radio and commercial radio. Neil Finn is supportive of a non-commercial Youth Radio Network and has offered to provide a mobile broadcasting unit to visit remote and rural areas as part of the network. Laila believes that a nationwide, non-commercial Youth Radio Network as promoted by the Alliance is the model most closely aligned to the principles of positive youth development and youth participation, and the key to linking young people divided by New Zealand's urban and rural split. Do you have an opinion on whether or not the Government should fund a youth radio network? If so, e-mail info.harre@parliament.govt.nz. She'd be interested in hearing your views.
Almost 400 written responses were received on the proposed strategy, and feedback from these and 27 consultation meetings held around the country is currently being analysed. Laila says the youth development concept gained broad support from young people and adults across different youth sectors and ethnic groups. "The consultation process raised a number of specific issues which Youth Affairs is now working through with its Youth Development Strategy reference groups, and I'm aiming to launch the final strategy by the end of this year."
The Alliance's position comes in response to the report of the Royal Commission's Report on Genetic Modification. "The Alliance successfully campaigned for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Genetic Engineering," said Laila Harré. " We welcome the report and cannot ignore its findings. Much more research is needed before any genetically modified organisms should be released in to our environment." "For that reason the Alliance rejects conditional release and buffer zones as we do not believe they can be made to work". "The continuation of the current moratorium is the only sensible thing to do in the face of such unknown risks that the release of genetically modified organisms poses to our economy, our environment and the health and well being of future generations." The Alliance supports New Zealand laboratory based research into genetically modified organisms and the contained and strictly controlled use of genetic modification in the development and production of medicines and medical research. It also supports a government-led process to ensure that GM food is labelled.
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Executive Home Page | Minister's Home Page | Youth Link Index |
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The Labour-Alliance Coalition is looking at options to enhance youth radio services. A FM frequency has already been set aside for a youth radio network and the government is speaking to young people and broadcasters to see how best this frequency can be used.