Teen to visit Middle East

Travelling to the Middle East might not be high on many teenagers’ wish lists, but for 16-year-old Chloe Ayling, it will be a dream come true.

Chloe is one of 16 students from around Australia selected for UN Youth Australia’s Beyond the Headlines Middle East Experience in January, 2020.

Delegates will visit Tel Aviv, Amman, Petra and Jerusalem on the 20-day tour, which focuses on developing an understanding of the peacekeeping works in the region.

Students will meet with UN bodies, not-for-profit groups and community organisations to learn the challenges and successes of the Middle East peace process.

Chloe said the tour was an opportunity to further her appreciation of different cultures.

“I know the tour will give me enormous insight into my future career ambitions in human rights and international relations,” she said. “Any improvement in equality of life begins at a local community level and I know that I can share what I learn with my wider community.

“I would like to bring back my new-found knowledge of the Middle East to various schools and help to educate people in the misconceptions and myths that our western community may have of that geographical area and culture.”

The Georgiana Molloy Anglican School Year 11 student is working at a supermarket on weekends to help support the $10,000 trip.

To donate to Chloe’s UN Youth Middle East Experience, visit gofundme.com/un-youth-middle-east-educational-tour.