The Impact Awards will be held in Wellington on July 30. Photo / Supplied
The Impact Awards will be held in Wellington on July 30. Photo / Supplied
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The charity Inspiring Stories is hosting the Impact Awards this week, to support and recognise young people who are making positive change in the community.
Inspiring Stories founder Guy Ryan said the awards were part of "a bold vision to back youngpeople".
Ryan said the honours were a way of highlighting rangatahi who were trying to overcome contemporary social and environmental challenges.
Previous winners of the Impact Awards. Photo / Supplied
"I guess, with the state of the world right now, there's no shortage of issues we face and these issues can be really overwhelming," he said.
"Media and social media paints a very grim picture, but there are amazing people and initiatives going on in communities. It's just as important to highlight that stuff."
The Impact Awards first ran in 2019, but was disrupted by Covid the following year. In 2020 the awards moved online with what Ryan called "the most amazing Zoom call".
Speaking about the inaugural show, Ryan said, "It's just such a beautiful way to get examples of young people doing amazing things."
Volunteer movements, the School Strike for Climate, involvement in the Covid response, the distribution of hundreds of care packages, young people enrolling to vote, running for council and stepping on to boards are all examples of what Ryan sees young people doing.
He said governments and philanthropy weren't doing enough to solve issues, and this proves disillusioning for many people.
"It can be easier to zone out and watch Netflix. Young people feel isolated, which proves the importance of bringing people together to help give them motivation. I've definitely seen hundreds of thousands of examples of youth leadership across the country."
Ryan, who was the 2015 Young New Zealander of the Year, started the charity about a decade ago. He was the first of his family to attend university.
"I was one of those students who wasn't super academic, but I liked making things happen."
While studying, Ryan embarked on numerous entrepreneurial endeavours, like film and documentary making.
Guy Ryan, 2015's Young New Zealander of the Year, founder of charity Inspiring Stories.
After experiencing challenges within his family, and becoming confronted and overwhelmed by things he learnt, Ryan starting contemplating "what we do with our time and legacy. I decided to throw myself into things that matter."
His film, Carving the Future, won Platinum Best Film at the Colorado International Film Festival, was a finalist for the BBC's Best Newcomer Award and Best New Zealand Film at Reel Earth.
While Ryan acknowledged it can be difficult to make change, and the demotivation that comes with that, it is essential to role-model the possible solutions.
"We have to be optmistic. We have to be selfless. Changes requires young people to demand it and work hard to do it. Young people have a critical role to play."
