[교민] '청소년은 우리의 미래' - Youth MP 이예솔
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18/07/2007. 14:53
KoreaTimes
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지난 8일부터 3일간, 웰링턴 국회의사당에서 열린 청소년 국회 (Youth Parliament) 행사에 교민자녀 이예솔 (Michelle Lee)양이 국민당 팬지 웡 (Pansy Wong)의원의 청소년 국회의원 자격으로 참가했다.
아래는 팬지웡 의원이 본지에 보내온, 청소년 국회의원 이예솔 양의 국회 참가 소감문이다. 이예솔(17세) 양은 현재 Auckland International College form6에 재학중이며, 오클랜드에 7년째 거주하고 있는 이민 1.5세대다.
이예솔양은 자신이 청소년 의회에서 낭송해던 마오리 속담을 인용, '세계에서 가장 위대한 창조물은 사람이며, 청소년은 인류의 미래' 라고 서두를 시작해, '청소년 국회가 나에게 가르쳐 준 것은 청소년이 (세상의) 변화를 이끌어 낼 수 있다는 사실 뿐만 아니라 어떻게 그 변화를 만들어 낼 수 있는 지도 포함된다.'며 행사에 참여한 소감을 밝혔다.
아래는 이예솔 양의 소감문 전문이다.
My experience at Youth Parliament.
Hutia te rito o te harakeke
kei whea te komako e ko
ki mai ki ahau he aha te mea nui o tenei ao
maku e ki atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata
Pluck out the heart of the flax bush and where would the bell-bird perch?
Ask me what is the greatest creation in the world.
And I shall reply
Tis people, people, people.
The above was the famous Maori Proverb which I recited during the general debate at youth parliament. The greatest creation in the world is the people. Youth are the future leaders of the current people. Youth parliament not only taught me that youth truly can make a difference but how.
I can say with certainty that by the time I came out of the Auckland Airport Arrival Gates to meet my parents, I was a different person. The incredible event will remain vivid in my memories for a long time.
When I close my eyes now, I can still hear the loud buzzing clamor at the airport departure gate. At that time, I did not quite know what to expect nor what was expected of me. All I knew was that an amazing experience was set out before me and I set off for Wellington with my heart full of pride, uncertainty and a sense of responsibility to make a difference. It was a cloudy day when we arrived. The magnificent bee hive glistened from the peeping rays of the sun whilst the jade green Youth Parliament flags flapping in the wind. The Youth MP’s and Press gallery were formally welcomed into parliament with a traditional Powhiri.
My second day was full and vigorous with both the first select committee session for law and order and the general debate taking place. The topic discussed in my select committee was: “what the focus of the youth justice system be?” A total of five witnesses were questioned in front of a panel of 12 youth MP’s. The witnesses included New Zealand First MP Ron Mark, Children’s commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro, and the Ministry of Social Development officer Allan McRae and were completely divided in their belief – rather analogous to the youth MP’s at the start of the private committee session. Three of the witnesses championed for the focus of the youth justice system to be on the welfare-model of rehabilitating “innocent and victimized” youth offenders. The remaining two argued there to be a focus on the justice-model of equal treatment of youth and adults for offense before the law and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. Our first select committee session was intense and heated, yet rational and logical. The 12 youth MP’s from the Law and Order Select committee were initially divided on their beliefs concerning the degree of severity of punishment and the age of criminal responsibility. Most of us were adamant and refused to negotiate with one another. Eventually however, because the youth MP’s put aside their differences and respected each other’s opinions, we were eventually able to agree with one another. Towards the end of the first session we were able to draft a report which was met with general agreement by the youth MPs. By the third day, our drafting was complete and the whole select committee was more or less satisfied with the overall report. The three select committee sessions in Youth Parliament helped me to realize the importance of acceptance and respect. The persuasive, intense yet logical arguments of each youth MP have enabled me to simply accept and respect their ideas. The select committee sessions, were perhaps the event I was most influenced by. I must admit, I was completely taken back and I felt as if I had opened my eyes for the first time. I learnt through first hand experience that acceptance does not mean giving up one’s own beliefs. It simply means fully understanding the other side of the argument, its origins, and logic, whilst holding on to one’s own beliefs. Effective negotiations can only take place when each member fully understands the other and thus, compromises to produce a general agreement. This simple gesture of acceptance, which is so easy yet so difficult, is necessary in all meetings, debates and negotiations for there to be a solution to a problem.
The General debate took place in the afternoon. Participating youth MPs were expected to make a speech of 3 minutes on an issue they felt should be raised to awareness of the public and the government. I spoke of the importance of racial unity, and the need for an increased government funding and action for the integration of the diversity of cultures existent in New Zealand. There was a vast variety of issues raised ranging from fat tax to nuclear power. The passionate and convincing speeches of youths convinced me that we can truly make a difference.
On the third day, I met with my MP Pansy Wong. I was quite taken back by her degree of motivation, vivaciousness and a sense of determination to do the best she can. During lunch, we talked passionately about politics and current national events from the anti smacking bill, to the voting age being lowered. We then talked about the Asian community and the students of today. She has been a true inspiration for me and now, I am almost considering a career in politics!
Youth parliament has been an invaluable experience for me. I can claim firmly that it will be an unforgettable experience for all the youth MP’s and each matured, changed and transformed.
아래는 팬지웡 의원이 본지에 보내온, 청소년 국회의원 이예솔 양의 국회 참가 소감문이다. 이예솔(17세) 양은 현재 Auckland International College form6에 재학중이며, 오클랜드에 7년째 거주하고 있는 이민 1.5세대다.
이예솔양은 자신이 청소년 의회에서 낭송해던 마오리 속담을 인용, '세계에서 가장 위대한 창조물은 사람이며, 청소년은 인류의 미래' 라고 서두를 시작해, '청소년 국회가 나에게 가르쳐 준 것은 청소년이 (세상의) 변화를 이끌어 낼 수 있다는 사실 뿐만 아니라 어떻게 그 변화를 만들어 낼 수 있는 지도 포함된다.'며 행사에 참여한 소감을 밝혔다.
아래는 이예솔 양의 소감문 전문이다.
My experience at Youth Parliament.
Hutia te rito o te harakeke
kei whea te komako e ko
ki mai ki ahau he aha te mea nui o tenei ao
maku e ki atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata
Pluck out the heart of the flax bush and where would the bell-bird perch?
Ask me what is the greatest creation in the world.
And I shall reply
Tis people, people, people.
The above was the famous Maori Proverb which I recited during the general debate at youth parliament. The greatest creation in the world is the people. Youth are the future leaders of the current people. Youth parliament not only taught me that youth truly can make a difference but how.
I can say with certainty that by the time I came out of the Auckland Airport Arrival Gates to meet my parents, I was a different person. The incredible event will remain vivid in my memories for a long time.
When I close my eyes now, I can still hear the loud buzzing clamor at the airport departure gate. At that time, I did not quite know what to expect nor what was expected of me. All I knew was that an amazing experience was set out before me and I set off for Wellington with my heart full of pride, uncertainty and a sense of responsibility to make a difference. It was a cloudy day when we arrived. The magnificent bee hive glistened from the peeping rays of the sun whilst the jade green Youth Parliament flags flapping in the wind. The Youth MP’s and Press gallery were formally welcomed into parliament with a traditional Powhiri.
My second day was full and vigorous with both the first select committee session for law and order and the general debate taking place. The topic discussed in my select committee was: “what the focus of the youth justice system be?” A total of five witnesses were questioned in front of a panel of 12 youth MP’s. The witnesses included New Zealand First MP Ron Mark, Children’s commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro, and the Ministry of Social Development officer Allan McRae and were completely divided in their belief – rather analogous to the youth MP’s at the start of the private committee session. Three of the witnesses championed for the focus of the youth justice system to be on the welfare-model of rehabilitating “innocent and victimized” youth offenders. The remaining two argued there to be a focus on the justice-model of equal treatment of youth and adults for offense before the law and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. Our first select committee session was intense and heated, yet rational and logical. The 12 youth MP’s from the Law and Order Select committee were initially divided on their beliefs concerning the degree of severity of punishment and the age of criminal responsibility. Most of us were adamant and refused to negotiate with one another. Eventually however, because the youth MP’s put aside their differences and respected each other’s opinions, we were eventually able to agree with one another. Towards the end of the first session we were able to draft a report which was met with general agreement by the youth MPs. By the third day, our drafting was complete and the whole select committee was more or less satisfied with the overall report. The three select committee sessions in Youth Parliament helped me to realize the importance of acceptance and respect. The persuasive, intense yet logical arguments of each youth MP have enabled me to simply accept and respect their ideas. The select committee sessions, were perhaps the event I was most influenced by. I must admit, I was completely taken back and I felt as if I had opened my eyes for the first time. I learnt through first hand experience that acceptance does not mean giving up one’s own beliefs. It simply means fully understanding the other side of the argument, its origins, and logic, whilst holding on to one’s own beliefs. Effective negotiations can only take place when each member fully understands the other and thus, compromises to produce a general agreement. This simple gesture of acceptance, which is so easy yet so difficult, is necessary in all meetings, debates and negotiations for there to be a solution to a problem.
The General debate took place in the afternoon. Participating youth MPs were expected to make a speech of 3 minutes on an issue they felt should be raised to awareness of the public and the government. I spoke of the importance of racial unity, and the need for an increased government funding and action for the integration of the diversity of cultures existent in New Zealand. There was a vast variety of issues raised ranging from fat tax to nuclear power. The passionate and convincing speeches of youths convinced me that we can truly make a difference.
On the third day, I met with my MP Pansy Wong. I was quite taken back by her degree of motivation, vivaciousness and a sense of determination to do the best she can. During lunch, we talked passionately about politics and current national events from the anti smacking bill, to the voting age being lowered. We then talked about the Asian community and the students of today. She has been a true inspiration for me and now, I am almost considering a career in politics!
Youth parliament has been an invaluable experience for me. I can claim firmly that it will be an unforgettable experience for all the youth MP’s and each matured, changed and transformed.