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Student takes passion to big stage

Student takes passion to big stage

NEWTON Moore Senior High School student Reuben Pemberton-Ovens has been selected as one of 10 WA representatives at the National United Nations Youth Conference in July this year.

The Year 11 student impressed selectors with his passion and public speaking skills at the State conference in Perth earlier this month.

"There were 120 of us approximately at the State conference who had a good amount of experience, so to be selected to go to the national one was a nice surprise," he said.

The 15-year-old will travel to Tasmania with nine other students to participate on the national stage, which will be modelled on the United Nations format.

"We'll each be representing a country," he said.

"The theme of the State conference was women's rights as it was held on International Women's Day, which was great.

"However, we don't know what the theme of the national conference will be yet."

Having studied politics and law at school, Reuben gained an understanding of Australia's political sphere and environment, which fuelled his passion for political engagement in Australia's youth.

"I'm really passionate about firstly public speaking and secondly young people such as myself being able to express their views in the community," he said.

"I think the youth of today don't actually get engaged enough in our democracy and that's really sad."

Reuben discovered the Youth UN website while looking online to find youth activities he could be a part of.

He encouraged other young people to get involved in the program.