A small group of teenagers in Christchurch who are very passionate about living in a smokefree country developed this video. This group started out with a simple idea and it has led to the production of an amazing 50 second promotional video that is hoped will go far and wide throughout NZ to promote a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025 (view via the link below)
To give you a snippet of background -- the Cancer Society initiated a Smokefree Youth Ambassadors campaign a number of years back. The concept is that we work alongside youth to support them, but everything they plan and undertake is youth-led. The aim is to empower youth to have a voice in what they believe is an important social issue that impacts them. Over the years the smokefree youth ambassadors have been involved in a range of projects, from lobbying MPs and presenting petitions on the steps of Parliament, organising rally's and undertaking a huge range of smokefree promotions. The production of this video clip is just the latest example to arise from these motivated smokefree ambassadors.
In particular -- this short smokefree clip (that you can view from the link below) is the 'brainchild' of Rachael Hodge -- a year 13 student from Cashmere High School in Christchurch. It's hard to describe Rachael in a few words, but she is an amazing young lady who will undoubtedly go a long way. In addition to being a Cancer Society Smokefree Youth Ambassador since 2009, she is an ambassador for both UNESCO and UNICEF and has been involved as a youth advisor for the Council and CERA since the earthquakes. She is passionate about social justice issues and trying to do all she can to make a positive difference to not only her local community -- but for those further afield. She has also been nominated for young New Zealander of the year -- an honour I believe she is entirely deserving of.
Rachael felt that there wasn't enough in the media or TV that gave a positive message around smokefree -- so she decided to be pro-active and do something about it. Hence, with the support of the other Christchurch Cancer Society Smokefree Youth Ambassador, she created a script, came up with the concepts and then sourced sponsorship to get a digital animation company make her ideas, thoughts and concepts come to life.
I hope you will take the time to view this 50 second clip that I believe demonstrates what can be achieved when teenagers are allowed to make their ideas come to life.
