This was published 8 years ago
UNICEF ambassador calls for voting age to be lowered
By Joseph Ogilvie
Young people are ahead of their older counterparts when it comes to social and equality issues and need to be given more of a voice, says UNICEF ambassador Amelia Walters.
The 17-year-old Queenslander was recently selected as one of nine UNICEF Australia Young Ambassadors and says younger generations are more accepting and willing to drive change.
UNICEF youth ambassador Amelia Walters.
"I think it's because... our generation seems to be very aware of those social, global, even planet issues," she said.
"So I think we have a great potential to enact some of the great system level changes, hopefully towards a more peaceful and accepting society.
"I think there are still issues of racism within the community but personally speaking from within my generation's experience, I am completely in awe of the great positivity and awareness of others and celebration particularly that is coming out of my generation.
"I have great hopes for a transition towards greater equality and equity."
Walters said she supported the idea of the voting age being reduced to 16 to encourage young people to be more engaged in their communities.
"I would back it completely; I think it is such a wonderful idea," she said.
"I really do believe that young people have as much of an understanding of their experiences, perhaps even more so than the decision makers within parliament."
Young people make up a large percentage of the community but aren't getting a true say at the moment and they need to be encouraged to speak up, says Walters.
"Even if the voting age isn't lowered, we really should encourage children and young people to speak up, to engage with people such as myself and other ambassadors such as the World Vision ambassadors," she said.
"And also something I have really been working with children on is encouraging them to be talking more to their own local MPs."