|
Youth parliament > Press gallery > Summary of Youth Parliament 2007 by Antonia Anisy
Summary of Youth Parliament 2007 by Antonia Anisy
After waking up to meet the dawn and spending a long journey on the early morning train with snoozing weekend commuters, tumultuous toddlers and pyjama clad teenagers, I had the pleasure of getting whisked away to the airport to finally meet the others on the Press Gallery and begin my long-awaited adventure of Youth Parliament 2007.
 By Antonia Anisy
Among vast amounts of luggage and a couple of stifled yawns at the
airport, I meet the nine other press members who all proved to be
interesting and fun people to be spending the next few days with.
I was pleased to be among like-minded people who all had different
writing experience who I could learn from and upon talking to them, I
explored the career path of the world of journalism.
The event was kicked off by the Press Gallery Workshop where we heard
from high profile journalists and benefited from their sharing of
experiences, stories and, of course, the little tips, tricks and
insider secrets of the media world.
The special guest speakers were chosen from across a wide range of
media, from Duncan Garner from TV3 to Bronwyn Saunders, the press
secretary to a former Prime Minister.
As a high school student stuck in that confusing transition of which
“fork in the road” to go down when it comes to life after school
finishes, I found this session insightful and helpful.
No doubt all the Press Gallery- despite a couple more of those sneaky
yawns- all enjoyed this experience of meeting such people and took away
a lot from this.
But the day was only just getting started. Following the workshop,
Youth Parliament 2007 kicked into full gear as the rest of the
afternoon was spend mingling with the 121 Youth MPs, international
visitors and officials, attending the Powhiri and an abundance of
briefing.
After the enjoyment of the day, our exhaustion from lack of sleep and a
whirlwind of masses of information placed on us was rapidly catching up
and we couldn’t wait to finish our extensive reading we’d been assigned
and simply hit the sack!!!
As journalists, we should’ve known that life is all about change and
the unexpected. That is, after all, what some of us write about for a
living.
However, when faced with the expected change of plan to stay at the marae that night, some of us were a little shaken!
Nevertheless, despite the initial surprise of the modification to
original plans, I soon learnt to adapt ( if only for the night).
Embracing the creature comforts I did have and forgetting the rest, I
lay down for a good nights sleep.....such a shame about whoever’s alarm
clock rang without ceasing for no less than half an hour at 5.15 am (
and people wondered why I was a little cranky?!?!).
Day two rolled around and Youth Parliament finally rolled into action!
After the official opening and photographs, it was time for Select
Committees.
The pens came out and the work began. After an hour long session of
listening to officials preach on the subject of school retention rates
and education in response to the questions of our budding Youth
MPs, there was plenty to write about ( and very sore hands!) in the
Press Gallery room later that afternoon.
Question Time and the General Debate, however, was the real icing on
the cake for the day where the Press Gallery were lucky enough to view
the evolution of reserved and dignified teenagers to the controversial,
conflicting, chaotic MPs we knew they really were inside.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t fight my own ailments forever, despite my
aversion to admitting my sickness and going home. Youth Parliament was
just too good to miss, but by the time day three rolled around there
was just no beating my illness.
Keeping up with the play was no longer an option and much of my day
three was sadly lost to time in the sick bay, the finally stuck in bed.
While I was still lucky enough to get to attend the Panel discussion
and the opportunity to meet and have lunch with another press secretary
who kept the ten of us intrigued till the very last minute, it was time
to concede defeat and go home early the next morning, much to my
disappointment.
Despite missing the final day, Youth Parliament 2007 was a positive,
educational and enjoyable experience that will no doubt serve as a
milestone in the early years of my journalism work should it work out
to be my chosen career in the years to come.
I have learnt things that are beyond the learning experience possible
from a classroom or textbook. I have met and listened to people who
have given me valuable pearls of wisdom and friendly advice which I
will take into my future.
I have had the opportunity to be part of a truly brilliant experience.
Youth Parliament 2007 was a terrific experience and I look forward to
sharing this experience with friends and family and will remember it
for years and years to come.
Top of page
|