Youth Minister Peter Tinley has formally announced that Zal Kanga-Parabia, a musician and photographer with a passion for community engagement, will drive the 2019 Youth Week WA celebrations as Western Australia's Youth Ambassador.
23-year-old Zal will work with the planning committee, Propel Youth Arts WA and the Department of Communities to promote, support and develop creative ideas and encourage young people to actively participate in Youth Week WA 2019.
Zal and Deputy Youth Ambassador Bella Ndayikeze, 22, an ardent advocate for young people, will be the public face of Youth Week WA in the media and at Youth Week events.
Youth Week WA, scheduled for April this year, is the State's single biggest celebration of young people in WA. The event gives the wider community a chance to listen to young people about issues that concern them, and the opportunity to celebrate their positive contributions to society.
This year's theme is 'Nurture the Now' and will celebrate sustainable growth, and encourage young people and the broader community to recognise the contributions of young people to communities across WA.
As noted by Youth Minister Peter Tinley:
"Zal Kanga-Parabia, WA's 2019 Youth Ambassador, is an inspirational young man who was a finalist in last year's Western Australian of the Year in the youth category.
"Both he and Deputy Ambassador Bella Ndayikeze work hard to contribute to the community and are leaders among their peers.
"The McGowan Government is proud to support Youth Week WA which provides a fantastic platform for young people to showcase their talents, creativity and achievements as well as facilitating discussion and sharing experience about issues important to them."
Biography: Youth Ambassador Zal Kanga-Parabia
Zal is a musician and photographer with a passion for community engagement, diversity, storytelling and science communication through astronomy. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Photomedia and Physics, and has curated exhibitions showcasing research.
Zal was the Creative Coordinator at Propel Youth Arts WA working on the KickstART Festival for Youth Week 2018. He has volunteered extensively in the arts including with Youth Week for six years, as well as with the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia as part of their Music Feedback program (2015-17) and with Ru, Refugee Welcome Dinner Performance.
In 2018, Zal was a finalist in the Western Australian of the Year in the youth category. He was also runner-up Young Person of the Year, Cultural Endeavours at the WA Youth Awards 2015.
Biography: Deputy Youth Ambassador Bella Ndayikeze
Bella works as a Youth Programs Coordinator at the Edmund Rice Centre. She is Founder and Creative Director of Ignite Creative Media.
Bella has been involved in Youth Week activities since 2017 and is an ardent advocate for young people. She is currently a member of five boards and committees, including the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council.
Bella has participated on the North Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health, Public Health and Dental Services Community Advisory Council and is a founding member of the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network. She has also appeared as a guest speaker at the United Nations.
