Global Changemakers

If there is one thing I particularly enjoyed doing last week, it was talking to the shortlisted candidates for the Latin America Youth Summit. Over the course of two days’ of skype-conversation, I found out so much about the status quo of youth in Latin America which, I am sure, would have taken me one full week (if not more) to find out from other (electronic) sources. From the disempowered youth populace in Chile to the rising issues of teens lacking confidence in Bahamas, it was exciting to hear friends from these countries speak about the causes they took up to solve with passion: many congratulations to all of you who are now a part of the Global Changemakers network!

For this third blog post, I have been thinking hard about what I should write for the participants at LAYS. I wanted to write something meaningful and have asked myself what I wished I knew at the time point that you are in at present. I specially remember the time that fell between the period when I was informed of my selection but before I actually attended the summit as something of a very nervous, anxious period; when I used to Google on the internet for previous (Road to Davos) events and try to find out all I can about what went during the six days’ that comprised the conference. I have therefore decided to write about four things you might want to look forward to at the Latin America Youth Summit.

You are not alone!

I always thought this sentiment of ‘not being along’ as a crucial one to carry home after the conference. The fact that we are in the network already means that we are optimists to a certain degree—it is only because we have the ability to be hopeful at the face of uncertainty that we engage ourselves in various innovative endeavors for our community. But very often, we feel that we are the loners – working on a book drive when most of our friends are gone swimming, or for a fun-tour…things like those are a lot better to handle when you know that you are not the only one sacrificing leisurely perusals for your cause. At the Latin America Youth Summit, you will meet 59 other friends who are just as passionate as you are, and you share your personal stories- of hope, pain and passion. You will find out that you are not the only one working to change the world for the better. These things will only add to your already high motivation levels to keep going, and take your engagement to the next level!

Capacity Building Sessions

The Latin America Youth Summit will also feature extensive capacity building sessions, facilitated by John Martin. You might be thinking that it will be very intensive (like college work, perhaps?)- but don’t worry- John makes that learning process very easy and full of fun! The sessions will equip you with essential skills you will require in your work in the community–about dealing with people, managing and empowering your team, raising funds for your work, and a ’27 seconds elevator pitch.’ You will also learn how to professionalize your own work, and will gain useful insights on making your initiatives sustainable and efficient. All in all, you will be becoming a better global changemaker, equipped with additional skills to and ready to make a greater impact!

RAPs and GAPs

RAPs and GAPs are the regional and global versions of community action projects.  The summit will bring together young people from over twenty five countries, which in itself is a big opportunity. You will be working to channelize this opportunity and resource to meaningful impact generating projects—meaning that you work together with friends from other countries to come up with projects to be implemented at a regional and global level. I find this very exciting— the sheer fact that you can now get yourself involved with impacting the world, not only at the community level, but at a regional and global level—not many people have this easy and quick opportunity to influence the entire region, or the globe with their projects. The fun you will have devising RAPs and GAPs, the joy of inspiring creativity in your and your friends’ work during the process, and the satisfaction that you get after imagining how different and better your region and the world will be once your project is implemented…something to really look forward to at the Latin America Youth Summit!

And finally…have fun!

Thanks to Matt for suggesting this final point. Sometimes, we get so hung up on becoming ultra serious about the summit and the follow up projects that we do not realize that having fun during the summit also forms a strong motivation factor. There are sessions which will require you to become serious and listen intently, but you will realize that the essence seeps into your mind lot more quickly when you enjoy the process. Furthermore, you will always have the time and opportunity to make good friends with all the participants that you meet at the summit… make sure that you allocate a lot of your free time hanging out with them. I remember the fun I had with my newly-made friends in the UK last year, when we decided to try a South Asian dish from the local restaurant (we actually ate the delicacy forming a big circle on road sidelines) late in the night. The truth is that when you add a bit of fun to summits like these, they become permanently etched to your memory and you will cherish every moments of it forever!

See you all in Brazil!