Michael Bendall is representing New Zealand at the East Asia and Pacific regional meeting to release the United Nations Study on Violence Against Children. Save the Children is supporting him at the conference, as part of our work to coordinate child participation in this international study.

Michael spoke about his enthusiasm for this work before going to attend the meeting.

"I feel that being part of this gives me the opportunity to have both my and the youth of New Zealand's voice heard on an international scale. It also means I get the opportunity to talk with, socialise with and make change on an international issue that I am extremely passionate about, with the worlds leaders. It is an honour."

More information on the UN Study on Violence Against Children: here.

Michael's Blog

Day Five - Friday

Time to pack up and ship out today. We started the morning a little slower than others but as soon as we had sorted all our gear it was off to one of the main shopping centres. After what we called a quick power shop I had my first experience ofThai massage which was nothing short of amazing.

With a keen smile on our face to get home we went to the airport to catch the plane for the long journey. As you know when your flying Internationally, things never go quite as the plan.

We got to Bangkok international airport and there was a two-hour delay on our plane because of it arriving late, but luckily enough the pilot made it in the nick of time and we were able to connect with our Singapore flight. Sitting down it a packed plane makes you very tired but it’s worth it for such an experience.

Many thanks must go to Save the Children New Zealand and Sonya Hogan for co-coordinating my participation in the regional Launch. Thanks also to the organizing committee of the launch for making the participation of children and young people a priority

Day Four - Thursday

The main event was upon us today and ,surprisingly, we felt ready - after being up till about 11 the night before making sure the presentation was perfect. We got to the venue, had a practice and met some really influential people. We got into it and after the first few lines I just seemed to rattle off my speech.

It went so well and I really feel that we conveyed our messages about violence against children and our recommendations about what we can do to prevent the issue. The main event was about two and a half hours long and we listened to some interesting adults and some… how do I put it?….. Not so interesting adults.

Overall the release was a success in my opinion and hopefully all of the about 120 attendees there take something from it and do their bit to make sure the report on violence against children is implemented.

After the work was over it was time to have some fun. We went on a long boat trip that takes you down canals and out of Bangkok central. This was amazing and we saw things that are both unique and makes you think about how lucky we are at home.

On the way the boat driver takes you to a mini Zoo, where we saw a snake show and heaps of animals. This was the first time I had touched a snake in real life and a monkey. Toady was packed and I’m looking forward to a good nights rest.

Day Three - Wednesday Hue, Michael and Lorelie preparing for presentations. (Copyright: Save the Children New Zealand)

Busy, busy, busy. Without a doubt today was the busy day. We got together with the other youth delegates Hue and Lorelie who would be presenting with me and we had a lot of work to do!

We started off with doing media training which was helpful even though I’ve done them before. It opened my eyes to what I can say with an international audience. For example having people with Communist back grounds in the audience.

Next was getting onto the presentation, which I quietly knew was going to take a lot of time. I found today difficult because with translators, it takes almost twice as long to get something done, but if we want to be apart of a fully inclusive, non-tokenistic process, this is all just part of it. Getting the presentation together and combining all three of our individual presentations was difficult.

It’s half past eight at night here and we are still going. Hopefully we finish
soon, because I’m so tired. What makes the whole day even harder is that
at Five o’clock the air conditioning goes off everywhere apart from the Hotel. Media training. (Copyright: Save the Children New Zealand)
So working under pressure, when you’re tired and with heat, don’t make
for an easy evening workspace. But we are getting there and without a doubt I’m sure it will be all worth it when the presentation is complete. Hopefully everyone we are presenting to thinks so as well !!!!!

Until Thursday……..

Day Two - Tuesday

What a long and packed day! This was pretty much our only free day so Sonya and I hit every market in Bangkok, well not really cause there’s hundreds of them.

Jet Lag really hit me today and by the end of the day, walking back from the sky train to the hotel was harder than
any rugby training I’ve had. And speaking about hard work, I’ve just finished my rugby season back home so I think that I’m reasonably fit but try walking massive stairs to the sky train in 35 degree heats with 100% humidity!
Not easy!

Thailand is fantastic and I’m loving the people and the heat is nice change to home. I met one of the other girls that I will be presenting with last night and trusty guy gave us an over view of the next couple of days. We also went to the Save the Children Sweden office here in Bangkok yesterday and its real mint to meet some familiar faces in a country so far away from my own.

Day One - Monday

Leaving CHCH, well actually trying to stop mum from crying and embarrassing me at the airport but hey, what are mums for huh?

Getting on the plane made the final feelings truly set in. In the couple of weeks build up to the trip it didn’t seem as though I was going half way round the world to attend and present at the release of a report that I’m so passionate about, so when on the plane, excitement and anxiety set in!

The plane ride was long and contained a lot of talk between Sonya and myself not only about all the things we would
try and pack into our five days in Thailand but a lot regarding the presentation and preparation for what I should expect.

My greatest issue so far is JETLAG, I’m hoping it will be minimal so I’m taking these jetlag pills. Fingers crossed!!!!