How can you be the change that you wish to see in the world? To do so, whether you want to be a political activist or a doctor, an engineer or a mom, an artist or an architect you must become a leader. The next question you may ask is who is a leader? Are they the people that stand up on the podium and make the speeches? Are they the most intelligent, qualified people? Or can they be the people working behind the scenes to run an organization, or the professionals who fulfill their responsibilities each day? What type of leader do you want to be?
“The Pearson Seminar on Youth Leadership is designed to strengthen the role that young people play as future community and world leaders.” Utilizing a framework comprised of discussions, presentations, guest speakers, workshops, and interactive leadership training, 100 students from all around the work came together for three weeks, with the backdrop of the beautiful campus of UWC Pearson on Canada’s west coast, the land of big trees, salmon, bears, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. Broadened perspectives revolve around themes of “ecological sustainability, social justice, and international understanding.”
Skill development is focused on “project planning and coordination, ecological education in a temperate rainforest setting, information on local and international social justice issues, indigenous ideas and traditions, public speaking and awareness-raising techniques, people management skills (group management, conflict resolution, mediation), cross-cultural and diversity training, personal reflection and self-awareness exploration, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making, goal-setting, and ethics-based action.” Forming these skills as part of life require confidence, the information and skills necessary, and the opportunity to practice. The intentional community at PSYL seeks to develop a space where student leaders are nurtured, to create the impetus to enact change, in themselves, and in others.
Facilitating, was a unique role, as part of a tight knit group of fifteen UWC students and several past participants – forming a bridge between the participants and educator coordinators, both teaching and learning. A comparison would be the UWC experience without IB, and as a result of this experience I have become more of who I seek to be.
From consensus based community meetings every morning, to Carpe Diem “seize the day”, Spirit Spot, to just chillin’ in the Fridge (the student common room) each day was stimulating and innovative. You were never falling asleep in “classes,” because your classroom might be in the middle of the forest, or out on the bay in a canoe, just as easily as in an amphitheater. Daily session topics include: power and privilege, conflict transformation, self-awareness and leadership, sustainability 101, gender dialogue, and ecological wisdom. Throughout, the importance of ceremony, music and creativity were highlighted.
Each participant developed an action plan, detailing how they want to be a leader in their community back home, whether it is in Canada, Brazil, or even here in Mostar. My hope is that we are all leaders in building a community here at UWCiM, focused on peace and conflict transformation, through education.
“I have a dream….” Fill in the blank, and then make it come true.
Fluss. Agape. Real. Kai. Pura Vida.
If you wish to apply for a position as a facilitator, or simply want to learn more about the program feel free to ask me, or go to www.psyl.org.
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