STUDENT INCLUSION LEADER

CONNECT GLOBAL YOUTH FORUM

Year 12 student Richard Anketell and Year 10 students Mabel Morrison and Juliet Moodley participated in the Connect Global Youth Forum on Wednesday July 26, alongside students from Victoria, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This virtual conference brought together young minds to explore the themes of global citizenship and interconnectedness.

At the conference, our students had the chance to discuss important topics, including ethical dilemmas that come with global connectedness. Juliet raised an interesting point here. She said that we sometimes face tough choices, such as deciding between what we want and considering where things come from or how they are made. (Cheap clothing produced through forced labour is a common example of these types of choices.)

During the conference, the students also delved into the Millennium Development Goals, focusing on access to clean water. Richard shared a story close to his heart about the McArthur River, where he is from in the Northern Territory. The river is contaminated with zinc and lead due to a nearby mine. Sadly, this contamination affects the fish in the river, and the communities end up consuming the contaminated fish.

Mabel showed her skills as a natural leader throughout the conference. She was selected and encouraged by the facilitators early on as a leader. Mabel seamlessly led the discussions in the breakout rooms, encouraged others when speaking, and actively encouraged participation from all students. 

Feedback from the students on the conference has been overwhelmingly positive. They thoroughly enjoyed the day and are so glad they participated. The discussions and thinking tools they encountered during the conference benefited their understanding of global issues and shaped them as global citizens.

As an outcome of their participation, Juliet, Richard, and Mabel have created an action plan for change at St Joseph's College. The central focus of their plan is to enhance youth participation and engagement within the college community.

We are incredibly proud of our students active involvement in such a meaningful event. Their dedication to exploring global citizenship and positively impacting their community is commendable.

Mrs Michelle Winderlich

Student Inclusion Leader