I am currently studying a Bachelor of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Wollongong. In December 2016, I was a NSW delegate to MYAN's FUSE National Conference. I am extremely passionate about multicultural youth issues and participation across Australia and I am an active volunteer within the Bhutanese Community in Albury/Wodonga.

During my school years, I was very active in community youth affairs and student life, taking up various leadership and advocacy roles, such as Senior School Leader and the SRC. I was also a Youth Councillor at Albury City Youth Council, and I am currently a member of UN Youth Australia. In 2017, I was also a guest speaker panellist at the UN Youth NSW State Conference. I've recently started a society at my university called Multicultural Society, as a way of bringing young people together from diverse countries to share their culture and food, but also to facilitate conversations for young people who are intending to go on a study exchange program. Currently, I am also part of the Youth Reference Group at Headspace Wollongong.

At the end of Year 12 (2016), I was presented the 'Michelle Baillie Academic Award' for greatest sustained effort in academic work throughout the year. I've always had a desire to study medicine. My drive to achieve this was borne from the horrors of the health care system in the refugee camp that I was brought up in and 12-year-old me hoping to make a difference.

New South Wales
19 | Bhutanese

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - MK Gandhi

I am a third year Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) student at University of Western Australia (UWA) majoring in biomedical science and pharmacology. I aspire to contribute to the field of medical research, particularly drug design and efficiency in neurodegenerative or immune response conditions.

In 2016 I was selected as a regional attendee for the MYAN WA Catalyst Youth Summit and I recently signed on as a ShoutOUT speaker also with MYAN WA.

I see myself as a lifelong learner and advocate of values I stand by, giving voice to communities to empower them and provide equity to the best of my abilities.

Western Australia
21 | Bengali Muslim
“Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground” – Theodore Roosevelt

I have a Social Work background and have been volunteering/working with refugee and migrant youth and culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD) for almost seven years. I am currently working as a Community Support Worker, engaging with CALD youth around issues pertaining to health and wellbeing - mainly in the area of sexual health.

I am passionate about working with multicultural youth and advocating on their behalf, and where possible linking them in to opportunities where they themselves are able to speak up. In 2016 I was a South Australian delegate at the FUSE national multicultural youth summit and in 2017 I participated in the national Refugee Alternatives Conference as a panellist on the topic of refugee and migrant youth engagement.

I aspire to build my skills and capacity to support my ongoing work with young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

South Australia
24 | Ghanaian
"Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation." - Zig Ziglar

I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Applied and Contemporary Theatre in 2014 and I am currently studying a Master’s in Creative Industries, majoring in Creative Production and Art Management.

In 2016, I was a Queensland delegate at the FUSE national multicultural youth summit and in 2017 I was a panellist at the national Refugee Alternatives Conference 2017 where I spoke about youth engagement.

Currently, I am working with Brisbane City Council on 'Linking Generations', which is a Forum Theatre project I created to bridge the gap between refugee youth and their parents/ community elders.

In five to ten years’ time I hope to be a producer or Artistic Director creating content that represents the voices of minorities and speaks to the issues affecting refugees, migrants and asylum seekers living in Australia.

Queensland
22 | Sudanese

"Learn from yesterday. Live for today.
Hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Currently I am studying and doing a Bachelor’s of Health Sciences (Honours) at Monash University. My research is looking at refugee and migrant settlement in Australia.

Last year, I joined the Centre of Multicultural Youth as a volunteer in their Ucan2 program in Hoppers Crossing. This was an opportunity to work with newly arrived young people settling in and around Melbourne.

Although I am still not certain what I will be doing in five or ten years’ time, my aim is to keep working in the areas of refugee health and policy. I have long been interested in working in refugee health, however more recently I have seen how policy can have such a great positive influence on social change and, in turn, refugee health and well-being.

I want to build my skills and knowledge so that I can be an advocate and champion for change in this area in the near future.

Victoria
22 | Bangladeshi/New Zealander

"In the midst of working for yourself and achieving goals, there should always be time to give back and make a positive change for others who need a helping hand."

I have been a dental assistant for 7 years now and I am currently doing further studies at Charles Darwin University. I have also worked in the aged care setting for about two years.

Over the years I have been involved with various multicultural groups here in Darwin, this includes my Ma'di tribe – I am the women’s representative on the Ma'di Community Council of Australia. I have extensive experience working with young people from multicultural backgrounds and representing the voices of young people locally and nationally. I have been involved with the youth-led organisation Multicultural Youth Northern Territory (MYNT) since 2009, acting as the Chair, Vice Chair, as an Executive Board member and as a mentor. I have also volunteered at the Multicultural Council Northern Territory (MCNT) homework club. I was also on the MYAN-NT Youth Advisory Body, where I contributed to policy and advocacy for young local people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

For a number of years now, I have been the Northern Territory's Refugee Week Ambassador and have been on the organising committee for Refugee Day celebrations in Darwin. More recently, I was involved in the planning of the first ever Kaleidoscope Youth Leadership Summit in Northern Territory, a proud project of Multicultural Youth Northern Territory, which now runs annually. In 2016, I was a Northern Territory delegate at the FUSE national multicultural youth summit. My aim in life is to ensure young people have a safe space where they can get the support and guidance they need to live a full, healthy life.

Northern Territory
23 | Ma’di Tribe

"Remember who you are. Don’t compromise for anyone, for any reason. You are unique in your own ways. You are YOU. Stand up for the truth. Be a light for others."

I am currently studying at the University of Tasmania studying media and law.

In 2016, I was a Tasmanian delegate at the FUSE national multicultural youth summit. During my second year in Australia (I was in the 6th grade), I became a school sports vice-captain. This proved to me that you don’t need to be a good English speaker to participate, success if really about hard work. Following this, I continued to contribute to leadership activities throughout my high school, including through public speaking. In my last year I was fortunate to win the annual Wendy Frohmader Memorial Prize. This prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates courage in pursuit their goals. I am currently a member of the Amnesty Denison Action Group.

In the future I hope to be the best version of myself, whoever that may be. I will have also finished my Media/Law degree and acted on my life’s passion - to be an active activist, helping bring attention to and address human rights issues and equality. We are all the same, everyone is just as important as anyone else. We all contribute to a progressive world.

Tasmania
20 | Sudanese
"My recipe for life is not being afraid of myself, afraid of what I think or of my opinions." - Eartha Kitt