7
Issue 53 – June 2015 – QUEEN MARGARET CALLING
Mira was one of nine Wellington
students who spoke on the topic
of race relations in New Zealand.
She, along with other students, was asked to
consider what youth think about race unity
in New Zealand and what solutions they
can offer to create stronger racial harmony.
Speeches were delivered to members of the
New Zealand Police, the Human Rights
Commission and the Bahá’í Community.
In her speech Mira focused on how
racism exists in society and what small
steps individuals, particularly youth, can
take to address this racism. She impressed
the judges with her call for change earning
herself third place and named as Reserve for
the National Finals.
“I highlighted the fact that change starts,
continues and ends with the individual,”
Mira comments.
Mira was pleased with her placing
because race unity is a topic she feels
strongly about.
“I was born and brought up here in
Mira Speaks Up For Race Unity
Mira Karunanidhi is using her talent for public speaking to highlight an issue close to her heart.
The Year 11 Queen Margaret College student came third in the Regional Race Unity Speech
Competition, held at the National Police Headquarters in Wellington.
Aotearoa and have encountered various
forms of racism over the years,” Mira says.
“I believe that as a nation we can change this
through education of our people.”
She believes public speaking is the
perfect vehicle to get her views across to a
wider audience.
“I find that it really boosts your
confidence and is an opportunity to voice
your opinions and make a positive impact
on people.”
After her success at the the Race Unity
Speech Competition Mira entered and won
the Regional United Nations Association
Secondary Schools Speech competition.
The topic for the UN speech competition
was New Zealand at the United Nations:
Fulfilling Nationhood Through Global
Citizenship. Mira’s speech was about New
Zealand’s contribution to the UN and how
we have fulfilled nationhood, despite our
historic ties to Britain. She will now represent
Wellington schools in the National Final.
The first stage of the programme,
‘Inspire Me’, was held in Auckland,
where the students listened to a
range of speakers. These included Sam
Johnson of the Christchurch Student Army,
Jake Millar, who created the successful
Oompher database, ultra marathon runner
Lisa Tamati and CEO of the Sir Peter Blake
Trust, Shelley Campbell.
“To finish the day we heard from Jimi
Hunt, who established the Live More
Awesome Foundation,” Clare says.
“He taught us about the importance of
doing things for yourself and the first person
to follow a leader is as important as the
leader themselves.”
The seminar taught Clare to never give
up and that she has the capability to do
anything as long as she actively pursues it.
Clare McDonald A Leader Of Tomorrow
Clare McDonald was one of 34 students chosen to take part in the Fuji Xerox Next Generation
Leaders Programme. The three stage programme aims to inspire young leaders of tomorrow by
learning from New Zealand’s current leaders.
Improving leadership skills were part
of the reason Clare was interested in the
programme.
“I wanted to have this amazing
opportunity because it would give me the
chance to make a positive change in my
community,” Clare comments.
As part of the day, each participant was
encouraged to create a Purposeful Act of
Leadership, an individual project that helps
them give back to their communities.
“This could be something like spreading
awareness about an issue or fundraising for
a charity,” Clare says.
She hopes to start a project connected
with her trip to Fiji later this year.
Clare will be off to complete Stage 2 of
the Next Generation Leaders Programme in
August.
Mira Karunanidhi
Clare McDonald