University of Otago student Matthew Anderson (19) reflects
on his selection for an international youth leaders event,
being held in association with the Apec 2009 summit
meetings, in Singapore later this year. Photo by Linda
Robertson.
Before too long, University of Otago first year student
Matthew Anderson could be sitting down for lunch with several
world leaders, including United States president Barack Obama.
"It's pretty overwhelming, to be honest. It's not something I
had been expecting," Mr Anderson said this week.
He is one of three university students recently selected to
represent New Zealand at Apec Voices of the Future 2009, a
prestigious six-day conference for youth leaders from the 21
Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) countries.
The youth conference will be held in Singapore, from November
9 to 15, in association with the latest annual Apec summit
meetings, and several world leaders, including US President
Barack Obama, are expected to attend a luncheon for the young
delegates.
Mr Anderson lives at Carrington College, a student
residential facility, and this year began studying for a BCom
in marketing and a BA in politics.
He was "pretty blown away" to have been selected, from more
than 20 candidates, as a New Zealand representatives at the
youth conference.
The other two New Zealand representatives are from Auckland.
Mr Anderson and Phoebe Harrop, both of Carrington College,
had earlier been selected as Otago University candidates for
the conference, and had attended a three-day selection event
in Auckland last month.
Mr Anderson is believed to be the first Otago University
student selected to represent New Zealand at the youth
conference for several years.
The Virtual Trade Mission, a US-based international body,
will fund his return airfare and accommodation.
Apec was sometimes criticised as "lacking teeth", because its
decisions were not binding on members, Mr Anderson said.
However, Apec remained a valuable and open forum for
discussing trade issues, with poorer developing countries
included as well as wealthier developed nations, he said.
john.gibb@odt.co.nz
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.