Marhaba! 

 

I am Mira, your VP for this year hehe.

 

I grew up in Abu Dhabi in The United Arab Emirates, but I am originally half Iraqi and half Syrian, and moved to Aotearoa in 2016 (I know, even I get stumped when people ask me “hmm soo where are you from?”) I guess it’s sometimes easier to say “Oh I’m Middle Eastern” and move on with my life. Even though the term ‘Middle Eastern’ is SO colonial lol. 

 

I am currently in my third year of my Law degree, and I minor in Political Science. Besides my studies, I wear many different hats out in the community in the hopes that I could use my privilege to meaningfully contribute to the amazing mahi happening out there (even though the world around us is the most pathetic, disgusting thing to even be able to put into words). My passions lie mostly around empowering ethnic migrants and refugees, with a stronger focus on rangatahi. 

 

Other things I love: Football, singing, my partner (hehehehe ) and MORE. Get to know me and you’ll find out how cool I am, just sayin. 

 

I currently sit on Diversity Counselling New Zealand’s Ethnic Advisory Committee as the youth voice, Waikato Regional Council’s Rangatahi Voices Council, and help out organisations like The Refugee Orientation Center in similar capacities.

 

I consider myself to be a strong activist and advocate for social justice. I have never stepped foot in any country I am ancestrally from, and yet I feel the strongest sense of connection to those whenua. My hope is that one day, everyone has the opportunity to visit their lands, to find their identity, and to get their lands back. 

 

Free Palestine. Toitu te Tiriti.