Miss PNG Leoshina Kariha, the current reigning Miss Pacific Islands, has been named the first Papua New Guinean Youth Advocate for UNICEF.

It is an absolute honour and privilege to work in partnership with a highly credible, reputable and global organisation such as UNICEF.

The Miss PNG Miss Pacific Islands Committee was overwhelmed by the invitation to this announcement and the Chair, Mrs Molly O’Rourke, said the opportunity to work with UNICEF is one that portrays confidence and trust in the work that Miss PNG Miss Pacific Islands Pageant performs and one that will not be taken lightly.

The announcement was very special as it was made by Karin Hulshof the UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific. This was supported by David Mcloughlin the UNICEF representative for PNG and both shared their excitement to have an outstanding young woman such as Leoshina Kariha to work with UNICEF and full fill her advocacy role.

Miss PNG Miss Pacific Islands, Leoshina Kariha responded in her address by saying “ I am very honoured and pleased to accept UNICEF’s invitation to serve as Youth Advocate in PNG. This is a role that more and more young people are taking up around the world to support UNICEF’s work to advance the rights of children and young people and I am privileged to be the first Papua New Guinean to officially take up this role”. She also said “UNICEF stands for the rights and well being of children, youth and women. These are our groups of the population whose voices are not heard enough and more needs to be done with them and for them.”

Leoshina further highlighted that this role resonates with what the Miss PNG Miss Pacific Islands Pageant is all about. She said “ to have been considered for this prestigious role in light of being a cultural ambassador for PNG and the Pacific is truly humbling”.

Miss PNG Miss Pacific Islands concluded by sincerely thanking UNICEF for this opportunity and stated that she believes there is a definite synergy between UNICEF and Miss PNG Miss Pacific Islands Pageant platform and she is excited about this collaboration and more partnership programs in the future.

 

Source: Press Release, Miss PNG Miss Pacific Islands