Global Changemakers

On 11 January  2012, there was one of the most relevant conferences on Education in the world – the Education Leaders Briefing. It was promoted by the partners Microsoft and British Council, in the Millenium Hotel, London. At 9:30PM, after a nice dinner, I spoke to about 160 people, which included 65 Ministers of Education from all over the world. It was such a fantastic and inspiring night. Hundreds of policy makers and influential people listened to the project of the Haiti Music School and about how can they can make it possible for young dreamers to make a change.

The conference had many interesting speakers. I heard Kirsi Sormunen, Head of Sustainability Operations at Nokia talk about their development of Math applications for mobiles, helping thousands of people in schools in Africa. I heard Michael Fullan – one of the most respected persons in the area of Education – speak about what are the drivers that will allow long-term changes in education and decision-making. And most inspiringly, I heard an animal rights activist called Willie Smits talk about how he raised awareness about the deforestation in Borneo by using technology and with the finantial help of children to fight this problem.

I went to speak in front of all these amazing people, and it was truly an inspiring moment. I told them about how Haiti changed me, how music was an instrument of change, how important it was for me to be allowed to dream and fight for what I believed from early age. Then, I remember exactly the moderator asking me: “What message would you leave for all these policy makers in this room?”

I replied with all confidence and passion, “All young people have dreams. What we need is opportunities to make them possible. I am only here studying in the UK because of the Scholarship from the British Council. So make scholarships, create possibilities, give opportunities to the youth to be allowed to dream and do what we love. All that we need are opportunities and models to follow, and YOU are that model!”

They all cheered and applauded. After that, I went from table to table talking to people. One woman told me, “Thanks for your speech, it reminds me of who I truly am.” Other people said that they were almost sleeping on the conference, but that my speech was the most interesting. And then, Michael Fullan asked to talk to me. He was very interested in the Haiti Music School Project and wanted to know more about me. We exchanged emails, and now I’m waiting to see if something comes out of this.

The most important this was that I felt like I was doing what I was meant to do. I was speaking to policy makers from all over the world, seeking to inspire them to give opportunities for young people to follow their dreams. It was definitely worth it.

I truly hope to have represented well the Global Changemakers and the young dreamers in the world in this fantastic and unforgettable night of my life.

- Matheus, Global Changemaker from Brazil