This AIMES Award recognises the work of 23 year old former Kingsway School pupil Alexander Kuch and his journey in Children’s Rights and International Adoptions. This is important to Alex as he was adopted from Romania in 1997 by a German family and they have now lived in New Zealand for 12 years – in the Rodney district.

Alex’s family were told by a psychologist that he would not be able to lead a normal life. That school would be nearly impossible and university would not be possible. Fast-forward 20 years and he has defied the experts and was able to complete his schooling and graduate from the University of Auckland due to the support of his family, friends, and his own hard work. He is now motivated by his own experience and desires for others like him to have the opportunity to gain similar chances as he has had. He is the leading voice for children’s rights and reopening International Adoptions from Romania which have been closed since 2003. They currently have approximately 70,000 orphans in Romanian institutions.
Alex says he has been advocating for adopted youth due to how under-represented they are, in being directly involved in making decisions that affect them. In New Zealand one in five people are affected by adoptions and on a global level approximately 100 million children (UNICEF) are orphans. In addition, Alex has also been involved with children’s rights.
Alex was named a young NZer of the Year semi-finalist, received an award on behalf of the president of Romania and was a Downtown Rotary Peace Fellowship nominee in 2017 and has spoken globally about adoption.
Alex started work in the Netherlands for a child development organisation, Aflatoun, in August. Ultimately, he wants to establish a global consultancy in children’s rights, advising foundations, non-profits, international governments, and corporations. Alex speaks globally about children’s rights. His autobiography, “The Adventures of Alex”, is scheduled for publication in late 2018.
Alex has also been involved in Global Forums such as the Global Changemakers Forum, Royal Commonwealth Society and he will present at the Third Asia-Europe Foundation Young Leaders Summit on ethical leadership. In addition, he will collaborate with others to establish a working group on practical policy guidelines to have public policy more relevant for children, drawing from best practices and global treaties such as the United Nations Conventions of the Right of the Child.
Alex is thrilled to receive this AIMES Award as it will help towards his long term aspirations. Both connecting to the impressive alumni network and receiving the AIMES Award funds. The financial support will assist in publishing his biography and will also assist with speaking engagements and other costs. He will start promoting the finished book in 2019. It will also help him to attend a global summer adoption research institute workshop in Boston at Amherst at Massachusetts University and to complete his Masters in Children’s rights in the Netherlands.

Alexander Kuch receives the AIMES Service the the Community Award from the North Harbour Club – sponsored by Albany Toyota – including a cash grant of $15,000.