A GIRL attending a Vale school is just one of eight in the whole of the UK, and the only student in Wales, to be selected to work with UNICEF.
Stanwell School Year 11 pupil Macey Young has been appointed to UNICEF UK Youth Advisory Board.
Macey said it’s challenging balancing the work with schoolwork, but it’s a fantastic experience.
On gaining the appointment, Macey said: “I spotted an application for the UNICEF advisory board and applied.
“I was then invited for an interview and got the role as a UNICEF advisory board member.
“I was one of eight chosen out of 200 applicants in the UK and was the only person from Wales chosen.”
As an ambassador, Macey will have the opportunity to grow her influence.
On the role, Macey said: “During the next two years as a UNICEF ambassador, I will become the voice for children in UK, meeting with many important decision makers within the UK government, including the children’s minister, somebody that we are due to have an in-person meeting in February, as well as assisting with events such as Soccer Aid.”
After finishing Year 11 at Stanwell in Penarth, Macey intends to study politics and also plans to stand to be a member of the Youth Parliament in their 2024 elections.
Macey explained she'd done extensive work in the lead up to the role.
“It began with a Year 9 school assembly about volunteering opportunities within the Vale of Glamorgan given by the Vale’s Youth Service," she said.
“I became interested as I am passionate about standing up for other people and wanted to be involved in delivering workshops to adults and young people educating them on children’s rights.
“During this time, I began work upholding girls’ voices and giving everyone a platform to speak.
“I took my work to county councillors and members of the Senedd for discussion.
“(Then,) due to my work at the Senedd, I was able to gain a placement with two Senedd members Jane Hutt and Andrew RT Davies.
“I spent a week with Jane Hutt’s Vale of Glamorgan constituency team learning about how they support people in their constituency and a further week with Andrew R T Davies’ team attending visits and learning about their work.
“My charity work for Girl’s Rights was recognised by the charity Plan international UK, and I was chosen to travel to Westminster and shadow Anum Qaisar MP (Scottish Nationalist Party) where I sat on the Women and Equalities committee and attended Prime Minister Questions.”
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