UNSW postgraduate law student, Samah Hadid, has been selected as Australia's United Nations Youth Representative for 2010.

Samah is a 22-year-old human rights advocate from Bankstown, who is already a representative on a number of bodies, including the Australian National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Based in New York from September, she will represent Australian youth in UN forums such as the General Assembly, and with senior UN leaders.

The Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, welcomed her inclusion in the Australian delegation.

"I congratulate Samah on her appointment and look forward to seeing her represent Australia's young people at the highest level," said Ms Ellis.

Samah is currently on a four-month "listening tour" of Australia, where she is hearing about the concerns of young people.

"I've been to so many places in NSW and now Canberra - from schools to juvenile justice centres and drop-in centres," said Samah, who is enrolled in the Master of Human Rights Law and Policy at UNSW.

"The consultations are so energising. They have opened my eyes to issues such as housing for young Indigenous people, justice for young people on bail, and identity and inclusion for people of migrant backgrounds."

The University has given Samah $10,000 to help fund the unpaid position.

"It's great that I've got this support from UNSW. I wouldn't have been able to do it without it," she said.

"Studying my Masters at UNSW has prepared me for this role and it is a great complement to my studies in human rights."

For more background on Samah, go to the Faculty of Law website.

Media contact: Susi Hamilton, UNSW Media | 9385 1583