Ashley Powell selected to attend the UN Youth National Conference

St Saviour’s College student Ash Powell has been selected as one of only ten young people from Queensland to attend the UN Youth National Conference, held in Adelaide from 6 – 12 July.

The UN Youth National Conference is an annual week-long residential program organised by UN Youth Australia that brings together high school students from across Australia and New Zealand to educate and empower young Australians on global issues, human rights, and international relations.

Ash applied to attend this year’s UN Youth National Conference because she has a strong passion for international relations and wanted to enhance her understanding.

“The opportunity to participate in a program affiliated with the UN greatly intrigued me as it would expand on my knowledge and understanding of global issues while allowing me to engage with like-minded peers and industry professionals,” Ash said.

“I believe I was selected as one of only ten young people from Queensland because I have consistently demonstrated a genuine passion for social justice through my active participation in a variety of programs and initiatives.”

Over the Easter school holidays Ash spoke about the urgent need to address family and domestic violence through education at the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) Youth Summit.

Ash was also selected as the Youth Parliament Representative for South Toowoomba, a Queensland Youth Parliament nonpartisan program run by the YMCA to provide young people with the opportunity to engage in the democratic process and influence real change in their communities.

Ash also participated in Youth Week earlier this year where she helped organise a variety of activities including Toowoomba Regional Council’s Park Fests, which aim to bring together young people from the outskirts of Toowoomba, fostering a sense of community and connection among regional youth.

In addition to this, Ash volunteers regularly with Rosie’s – Friends on the Street, St Vincent de Paul, and the Toowoomba Regional Council. 

Through attending the UN Youth National Conference, Ash hopes to gain a deeper understanding of complex global issues while collaborating with like-minded young people from across Australia and New Zealand.

“I am particularly interested in the ethics of global affairs, with a strong focus on ensuring that human rights are upheld universally,” Ash said.

“In a world that is increasingly interconnected, it is vital that international policies, legislation and actions are guided by principles of justice, fairness, and respect for human dignity.”

Ash hopes to see a future where Australia leads by example in ethical governance, social justice, and sustainable development, creating a fairer and more resilient Australia where every person’s human rights are upheld and respected.