Monash Law Student Appointed 2024 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations
Monash Law Student Gavin Choong has been appointed Australia’s Youth Representative to the United Nations in 2024.
Currently in the final year of Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Gavin studied LAW4155 International human rights law with Castan Centre Director Professor Melissa Castan and completed a Winter Vacation Research Scholarship program at the Castan Centre in 2022.
Gavin Choong is a youth and human rights advocate with experience working in First Nations affairs, climate justice, refugee rights, and international development. Gavin is passionate about amplifying minority voices, promoting awareness of the diverse challenges faced by marginalised communities, and supporting tangible initiatives which tackle these issues.
The Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations is an annual appointment by UN Youth Australia in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since 1999, the Youth Representative has been tasked with representing the views of young Australians domestically and abroad.
As part of their mandate, the Youth Representative leads the largest annual face-to-face consultation of young people in the country during the first half of the year. Reaching every State and Territory, the Listening Tour allows the Representative to engage with a wide variety of youth opinions on issues at the local, national and international level.
Alongside the consultation, the Australian Youth Representative meets with prominent members of the Australian community including MPs, NGO heads, business leaders, young leaders and key players in the youth and education sectors.
You can explore Gavin’s vision for the role here. You can stay up-to-date with Gavin’s work as UN Youth Representative through LinkedIn and Instagram.