Its mission is to empower youth to catalyze positive social change and to develop them as leaders through intensive training and mentoring.[break]
From a pool of almost 2,000 youth applicants, two of us made it to the list of 60 selected crème candidates and represented Nepal in this high-level international summit in High Wycombe, London.
As a team of two from Nepal, we analyzed and discussed geopolitical and pressing issues faced by the present generation in Nepal. We were also a part of regional meeting where we discussed issues faced commonly by our region.
Young people are rarely recognized as a group with the right to have their views considered or their interests independently represented at any level of decision making; be it in Parliament or at school.
This event changed the paradigm and highlighted the importance of youth in communal leadership, decision making and advocacy.
Throughout the week, we worked collaboratively with professionals, peer facilitators and experts from organizations such as ActionAid, Oxfam, Restless Development, Save the Children on framing our visions, making strategies and skills on successfully running projects with the strong link made during the summit.
We also put forward some purposive efforts to help program coordinators working in Nepal by making them aware about the current situation and programs that could be effective if inculcated in their ventures.
During the summit, we exchanged best practices and developed action plans for projects to identify and tackle pressing issues ranging from human rights, poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS, social entrepreneurship and climate change in Nepal and throughout.
The five day event served as an incubator and catalyst for Global Change makers. The core curriculum included modules ranging from project management and presentation to fund raising and media work.
On one of the days, we got the opportunity to visit various organizations in downtown London and worked with them for a day to learn more about their work. At the end of the day, we were hosted for a reception at the British Council headquarters, where we got the opportunity to meet Ambassadors and focal points of different fields.
At the end of the week, we all worked on our separate issue groups and formed global action projects which are projects that we will work on after going back to our countries.
Furthermore, this network also gives young people the opportunity to apply for various grants to lead our current projects forward.
Finally, we certainly had a wonderful time proudly representing our nation at such an international arena. It was rather honoring for us to hear about the works done by Nepali change makers prior to us.
Even though our nation faces a lot of problems, it can only be solved when young Nepalis step up and take action – in their communities, schools or even their own households.
We look forward to doing presentations and encouraging more upcoming youth to apply for the summit and join this network of change makers from all over the world!
For more information on the program: www.global-changemakers.net.
Kanchan is studying at United World College of Norway and Abhiav is studying at Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific Canada.
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