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Business Leaders come together to help with youth issues

02 February, 2010

More than 25 of the country’s business leaders are to come together in a bid to learn how they might help with New Zealand’s youth issues.

Youth 2010: The Big Download will be held at Parliament on Tuesday, February 2nd and will be attended by leading business and social service leaders. It coincides with the release of an online survey of 500 Kiwi’s aged between 15 -18 years old that highlighted a lack of hope about a future in New Zealand and a disconnection with their community.

TelstraClear commissioned the survey with the Foundation for Youth Development and has helped organise the forum. While many respondents believe New Zealand is a great place to live, there are clear underlying issues that prevent them feeling connected and seeing a future here, said TelstraClear Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allan Freeth.

?Young New Zealanders are worried about being able to have a fulfilling future in a country often referred to as ‘God’s Own,’”Dr Freeth said. “Many feel disconnected from their community, are deeply worried about being able to get jobs, own homes and do many of the things that used to be taken for granted. There is a feeling of disconnection and a lack of hope that should worry all of us.”

The objective of Youth 2010: The Big Download is for the business leaders to listen and understand the issues facing Kiwi youth from those who participated in Foundation for Youth Development programmes and other sector leaders.

They will then try to identify strategies and opportunities where they might be able to assist and these will be part of a report presented back to the Minister of Youth Affairs, Paula Bennett.

“Take the titles away and many of us are mothers and fathers and not immune to some of the issues that have been highlighted,” Dr Freeth said. “As people who run businesses we have experience in identifying synergies, formulating strategies and solving problems. It is these skills that hopefully can prove useful in helping create a brighter future for our youth.”

Among those attending are Rob Flannagan (Tower), Ian McPherson (Southern Cross), Rick Ellis (TVNZ), Alison Paterson (Company Director and Chair), Simon MacKenzie (Vector), Bill Osborne (Quotable Value), Jim Mather (Maori Television), Howard Broad (Police Commissioner), Major General Rhys Jones (Chief of Army).

ENDS

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