Peter Susanto named as Northern Territory UNICEF Australia young ambassador
A former Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year has been named the Territory’s ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund. Find out who it is.
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A former Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year has been named the Territory’s ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Peter Susanto, 18, a fourth-year medicine student who started university at only 15, has been selected to join the group of 11 new UNICEF Australia young ambassadors.
UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries worldwide and works with local partners to raise children’s voices and defend their rights.
Mr Susanto was honoured as the 2024 NT Young Australian of the Year, the 2025 Darwin Young Citizen of the Year, and was selected as one of four Australian youth delegates to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan.
Over the course of the 18-month program, Mr Susanto will develop his skills in leadership and communication, while taking part in advocacy at the highest levels of government.
He said he hoped he could support those in less fortunate countries.
“I believe that education provides people with the skills to better serve our community, improve their own lives and fight for causes they are passionate about”, he said.
“Consistent, quality education enables future generations to have the capacity to unite to solve the issues that face our world.”
UNICEF Australia chief executive Tony Stuart said bringing together young people from around the country made sure all voices were heard.
“That is why our young ambassador program is central to our mission, and to our ability to reach the young people who don’t feel heard,” he said.
“We congratulate each member of this group and welcome them to our UNICEF Australia family, where we will work to raise their voices, and give them a platform to encourage their peers to also get involved and share their perspectives.”
The successful ambassadors were selected from more than 350 applicants.
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