Jakarta Globe, Nadia Bintoro October 6, 2013
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| The Global Initiatives Networking Conference aims to help kids learn new skills to help their communities. (Photo courtesy of Global Initiatives Networking) |
As APEC delegates descend on Bali to discuss the global
economy, their future counterparts are involved in something a little bit
different nearby. Hosted by Canggu Community School , Global Initiatives
Networking Conference is a two-day student conference for children as young as
12 years old, with the goal of inspiring future leaders.
On Saturday and Sunday the conference, which is co-hosted by
the Green School and Bali International School, will be filled with hands-on
experiences combined with talks from inspiring international leaders.
This is the first time the Global Initiatives Networking
Conference ( GIN) will happen in Bali. The agenda is set to give students the
opportunity to understand and think about solutions to some of the big issues
facing the world that are linked to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. The
conference will promote awareness of the UN’s MDGs and aims to inspire,
motivate and educate, as this is the way forward to creating solutions.
Creative solutions
GIN’s conference coordinator Kayti Denham said the
activities are designed to promote an enjoyable environment that advocates
creative solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.
“So many of the problems we see in Bali today can be
approached through a combination of education and action. By hosting the Global
Initiatives Networking Conference in Bali, we can harness the best of Bali: Its
youth, both local and international, who will be the leaders, be it in Bali or
overseas,” Denham said.
The activities will take place all over the island with the
help of local partners. The program was designed to expose students to issues
related to the environment, health, child mortality, education and the
prevention of communicable diseases.
Among the diverse activities planned are skateboarding,
surfing, farming, and programs designed to teach students about the
environment, literacy, health and human rights issues. Students are asked to
pick the activity that most interests them. Then, by developing their own
skills, they will be able to discover ways to help others in their community.
The conference has gained support from several companies and
communities in Bali and beyond including Surfer Girl, Volcom, Eco Bali, Motion
Skatepark, Soul Surf Project, as well as the Republic of Soap and Chok Chok
Chocolate. International organizations Greenpeace and Avaaz are also set to
join the activities, with five speakers scheduled to give inspiring talks.
Canadian Rob Dyer is a champion skateboarder who travels the
world to raise awareness about health and cancer in teens through his Skate for
Cancer (SC4) foundation. Escape artist Scott Hammell creates dynamic
presentations for kids with stories and examples of how the right motivation
can help you achieve anything. Indonesia’s Nila Tanzil runs Taman Bacaan
Pelangi (Rainbow Reading Gardens) — an Indonesia-wide literacy program. Martyn
Denis is an intern working with the United Nations in East Timor, and Robi
Navicula is an environmental activist and front man of the indie Balinese rock
band Navicula.
Much more than speakers
But aside from the speakers, the conference is also filled
with on-the-ground activities.
On Saturday following the opening at Canggu Community
School, students will be invited to join activities including skating with
Volcom and Tin from Skateistan, a beach clean-up with Surfer Girl and Eco Bali;
a river clean-up with the Green School, surfing with Soul Surf Project and
more.
A passion fair showcasing products from environmentally
conscious business establishments is also in place with participants from Eco
Bali, Bombastix Plastix, Surfer Girl and more.
At the end of the conference, students are expected to be
well-informed and equipped to initiate practical approaches to solve
environmental and humanitarian challenges in their home communities. These may
include creating a fundraising sports tournament or setting up a reading group
with local school children, or it could be using their love of the ocean to
inspire them to care more ocean clean-up and marine conservation, especially
important in Bali, where so much rubbish ends up washed onto the beach.
Future leaders
Denham is optimistic that the conference will inspire the
young people who attend to continue to reach high levels of achievement
throughout their lives.
“As a friend pointed out, it is precisely these experiences
in young people’s lives that can open up new avenues for creativity,
consideration and future careers,” Denham said.
“They say the business world needs young people who have
global awareness in every industry. Those who understand not just profit but
the implication of profit. It’s very exciting to think that we can plant these
seeds through holding this conference.”
With so much press in Bali focused on what has been lost to
tourism, this conference is the opportunity to turn that around and look at
what has been found, a community of young people, who may not be attached to
the “old” Bali but are working toward a sustainable future for Bali today.
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