Global Changemakers

Davos is definitely a place where your perspective on the world changes. In my mind, while going into Davos I had a plan: simply to be a good representative and manage to get support for my project. Thankfully, I succeeded at both, although there is always something that catches you off guard. You find out that what people say is true: Davos will change your perspective about life in general. Morally, my ideas were centered on a set of principles that had it all figured out, what’s right and what’s wrong, and how to approach either, and in some ways that is still very true. However, in Davos I found what is lacking in my little theory: the break in the chain (as my friend Tshepiso correctly puts it). I found that DAVOS IS A GINORMOUS GREY AREA.

This seemingly simple town as you look down from the mountain is anything but simple (during the seven days at least). There are efforts of change through “Greener Davos” and plenty of free rides to almost wherever in Davos. There are people who go to Davos for the fun, the business, the food (someone is always there for the food), or to improve the state of the world, but everyone is there with something in mind that they want to achieve. Davos is much like our world: it is the exact reflecting image. You have to make your own way and find a way to make an impact. People who object to the idea of the World Economic Forum in my opinion object to the way the world is run – which is good, BUT they are objecting instead of doing something good out of it, which is what all these people are there for. They are there to make something good, either for themselves or others, and with what I saw they are willing to listen and more than willing to talk, but it is up to you to make your impact and you should do so by being truly yourself, because that’s the most unique thing you can offer. Also, as many of the leaders told us, you can show your passion, which is the most important thing you would have in your life in order to succeed.

This showed me that in life you will meet all kinds of people, and it is always good to treat everyone with the same respect you would show an idol, because that is the way you originally should be… and because you don’t know who your next sponsor will be. (That’s what Paola and the team taught us… Love you guys!) So, no matter who you agree with, you have to agree to disagree and treat everyone with the same grace.  Also, I may sound a bit cheesy but these things are what came out of it. I mean, these cheesy things are cheesy because they are repeated and they are repeated because they are correct!! That also plays a role in the fact that almost all the people you meet mention the same things as if they had them memorized, and in so many words mention the same ideas. Every person you talk to changes your way of thinking a little bit, but your moral code in the end is what secures you your voice.  

The people you meet do inspire you and give you a good aspect of life. It is a wonderful experience, but what matters at the end of the day is the people who keep you real within it (my GCM compadres and Commander), and taking the things you learned and carrying them into your own little sandbox of the world. It’s been a pleasure representing – thanks for the opportunity… and I got some cool pictures of all of us, in there for all of you. ENJOY!

P.S.: Yes that is H.M. Queen Rania!