Notas del episodio
What does it mean to give young people a genuine voice—not simply invite them into the room?
In this episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Ivan speaks with Rachel, a first-year University of Auckland student, youth intern at Auckland North Community and Development (ANCAD), and member of an Auckland Council youth advisory panel.
Born in Beijing, Rachel spent part of her childhood in Vanuatu before moving to New Zealand at nine. She reflects on how growing up across different countries, cultures and languages shaped her ability to connect with people and inspired her passion for youth engagement.
Together, Ivan and Rachel explore the issues affecting young people today, including isolation, mental wellbeing, climate change, civic participation and the gap between available opportunities and the young people who could benefit from them. Rachel also discusses the experience of 1.5-generation migrants and why young ethnic voices need greater representation in community leadership and local decision-making.
The conversation challenges organisations to move beyond tokenism by creating reciprocal relationships in which young people are genuinely heard, valued and given meaningful opportunities to contribute.
Rachel’s message to her younger self—and to other young people—is simple: make your decision, learn from every experience and do not live with regret. As she beautifully expresses it, we must be willing to “live the questions.”