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Leabrook resident Shannon Napier is the only South Australian to be selected to go on the United Nations Young Diplomats Tour of Europe later this year. Eighteen-year-old Shannon has always been interested in law, is an avid debater and public speaker.

“I have always been interested in social justice, humanitarian issues and the law,” Shannon says.

Her successful application means she will travel to seven countries in Europe, visiting major political and historical sites including The Hague and Auschwitz.

“I am really honoured to have been chosen,” says Shannon. She went through an extensive selection process with 42 other Australians before being chosen for the final 16.

Shannon has been active in United Nations Youth for three years, having attended one national conference and three state conferences. She has met only one of her fellow candidates and will not meet the rest until she arrives at Sydney Airport.

The UN tour heads off on 30 December and takes in Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Belgium and the Netherlands.

As for the future, Shannon is applying to the Australian National University in Canberra to study international affairs or a Bachelor of Languages (she is currently studying Year 12 Japanese and Chinese.)

She carefully considered her preference of university and decided ANU in Canberra was her first choice. “The Australian Parliament is just down the road as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs – it’s perfect!”