By Sybil Carba
Conference Attendee
On 10 May, 15 students from the WGHS Famine Committee attended the World Vision Youth Leadership Conference. We joined students from across the Upper North Island at Victory Convention Centre to learn more about current global issues and enhance our leadership skills.
The conference informed us of this year’s focus: supporting the millions of children and families in sub-Saharan Africa who struggle with a hunger pandemic, in addition to the COVID 19 pandemic. The consequences of COVID 19 have only served to magnify the damage of existing extreme poverty, climate change and decades of conflict. Restrictions mean that it is more difficult for families to put food on the table. This struck a collective chord among everyone. We were pushed to think about our reactions to the lockdown in New Zealand.
The leadership day was also full of inspirational talks delivered by accomplished speakers. This year, Yoseph Ayele and Lydia Hollister-Jones were the guest speakers. Yoseph Ayele is a successful entrepreneur and builder who shared his experience growing up during the 1980s Ethiopian famine. It was uplifting to hear how education improved his life so that he could help others. Lydia Hollister-Jones is an NGO communications and marketing specialist. It was inspiring to learn about her experience working in anti-trafficking in Cambodia and leading the community initiative, Gratis Free Store.
There was a social action workshop in the afternoon. The session was an opportunity to exchange ideas with other young people. We focused on creating successful solutions to problems and what action could look like in our communities. It gave us the skills and motivation to implement a fundraising event in our school.
Our WGHS Famine Committee is planning to host a lunchtime event before the official weekend where students can learn more about the 40 Hour Famine. We encourage everyone, who is able, to either participate in the famine or support someone else.
The World Vision Youth Conference was an inspiring day for all attendees. It reminded us that anyone has the power to bring about social change and that young people are no exception to this.
