Hi! I’m Janice and I am super grateful to be serving as Australia’s Youth Representative to the United Nations for 2026.

Welcome to Rep Net, the official blog of the Australian Youth Representative to the UN and UN Youth Australia! Here, you can stay updated on our Listening Tour and share your perspectives on local and global issues. I’ll also be posting monthly blogs to keep you informed about our progress and upcoming initiatives. Together, we’ll create a platform that amplifies your voices, connecting your stories and ideas to the corridors of power and the global stage., through our new platform, Rep Net, we aim to amplify youth voices, showcasing their solutions and achievements. In 2026, REPNET will continue to spotlight the incredible work of young Australians in their communities.

On a personal note, I’m a 23 year old who has been working as a youth worker with newly arrived refugee and migrant communities for the past 3 years and I was born and raised in Southwest Sydney (I’m an area girl). While my work life and passion for community organising and advocacy take up quite a bit of my time, I love hyperfixating on hobbies and going on side quests. In particular, I like to paint, disassociate with a bit of carpool karaoke and yap about the world with my friends. Despite also seeming unassuming as a woman just over 5ft, I also thoroughly enjoy moving my body and need regular running and gym time for my sanity. 

What brought me to this role is really my belief in the power of young people’s lived experiences and how they equip us with insight, imagination and a kind of moral clarity that institutions often overlook. Growing up as a daughter of migrants in Southwest Sydney, I learned early what it means to hold multiple worlds at once. I saw my parents stretch every opportunity they were given and I watched community members build entire support networks from scratch. I experienced first-hand how policies made in rooms far away ripple into kitchens, classrooms and long waits for support. 

Stepping into the role of Australia’s Youth Representative to the United Nations feels both surreal and deeply grounding for me. Surreal because, at 23, I’m still figuring out my life like many of you. Grounding because I know I don’t step into this alone. I carry the stories, frustrations, ideas and ambitions of young people across this country with me.

Over the coming months, I’ll be travelling, consulting and connecting with young people across Australia to better understand what matters most to you. 

I want to hear from young people in cities, suburbs, regional towns and remote communities. From young people who feel politically engaged, and those who feel completely disillusioned. From those navigating climate anxiety, cost of living pressures, racism, homophobia and from those building joy and resistance in spite of it all. I don’t take my role as a representative lightly and over this next year am committed to meaningfully capture the diverse voices of young people across this continent.

This blog will be a space where I share reflections from the road, insights from conversations and behind-the-scenes glimpses of international spaces as I take your insights with me to the UN General Assembly in New York.

Thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity to listen to and carry your stories with me. The most important part of this role for me is hearing from you, so if you ever want to have a chat, please reach out to me on the Aus Youth Rep socials or via email to youthrep@unyouth.org.au.

I’m so excited (and a little nervous) to be on this journey. Thank you for being here 💛

Warmly,

Janice Rodrigues

2026 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations