Youth Forum: "Bliss n Eso interviewed about Polio plight"

Young people from around the globe are in Fremantle on the west coast of Australia this week to take part in the Commonwealth Youth Forum.

Amanda McClintock, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Queensland, interviewed Sydney hip-hop duo ‘Bliss n Eso’, who performed at an End of Polio concert on 28 October. The event aimed to bring the issue of Polio eradication into the global spotlight.

It’s 1:30pm on a sunny Friday afternoon in The Vines Western Australia as we walk into the Novatel Vines Resort and Country Club to interview Bliss n Eso before the End of Polio concert happening tonight.

Firstly guys, thank you so much for your time and for being here today to help support such a great cause.

Yeah No worries, we are happy to be here.

Now you have just gotten back from your “Running on Air” Tour, how did it go and what are you up to now?

Yeah the tour was great we had a blast. Now we are just trying to take some time to rest while we are doing a few shows around the place like this one tonight.

There are so many other causes and initiatives and groups out there that you could support, why polio in particular?

I would say, one at a time, just one at a time.

There are a lot of worthwhile causes out there, you know what I mean and we do here and there get asked to help out I think the main reason why we did this one is because, the cause is really important and Hugh Evans who is the leader of the global poverty project, he asked us who we worked with him on the make poverty history tour and on the tour to Africa that we did a couple of years back he asked us to be involved in this and um, you know we are not only good friends with him but also believe in all of the things he does. And that was a big part of the reason we said yes.

And it was on his agenda and he just said “mate can you give us a hand” and we said “mate anything for you” you know he’s a top bloke. I mean there is 1% lets just finish it you know what I mean. Politicians shouldn’t be going “oh yeah its so small we shouldn’t worry about it” No the fact that it’s not all gone means that we need to keep going and he is making a statement saying “lets keep going”.

If you had one piece of advice for young people about their ability to make a difference, what would you say is the one thing they can do?

Get hands on about it. Nothing is going to fall in your lap. Never think that you are powerless and can’t do anything, because it’s absolutely not true.

And anything you believe or are passionate about don’t let anyone or anything take you off those rails just focus on those goals you know. And it might sound corny but love and positivity is what has gotten all three of us this far, bringing everyone together and good communication.

It’s the age old saying you know, if you put your mind to it you can do anything and it’s the same when you’re trying to fight for causes.

We are just stoked to be a part of anything that can do anything to help anyone. And so to be a part of this is a really big thing you know, and anything that Hugh is on we have followed what he is doing and he seems to be actually changing the world and we definitely want to be a part of that so we are just three blokes that love music and to be a part of that is awesome.

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About me:

“I am a working-class girl, full-time university student and mental health advocate from sunny south-east Queensland.

“Living in a small country town after growing up in the city only increased my passion for making a difference in my community and further afield, and for speaking up about the issues that matter most. Youth have a voice and it needs to be heard. Stand Up, Speak Up and Be Heard!”

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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