Overview of the British Councl Global Changemakers Reception

Last week- along with three other youth reporters- I attended the British Council Global Changemakers Reception, hosted by MP Kerry McCarthy at St Martin-in-the-fields.

Equipped with my pen and notepad I hoped to gain an insight into the revolutionary scheme that gives youths nationwide the opportunity to, not only express their opinions, but mobilise Community Actions Projects (CAPS) in their countries and actively create change through sustainable development.

I began the evening furiously scribbling on my DFID notepad for the latest information of the evening.

I paused. I waited. I relaxed.

I realised that best way to get information was to fully immerse myself in the event; so I mingled with the Global Changemakers; casually working my way through the room and engaging with a variety of passionate activists.

60 young leaders from 43 countries were being brought together by the British Council. From Australia to the Switzerland, China to the UK, Kosovo to Zimbabwe passionate teenagers from across the globe were brought together with one common goal: to demand change and challenge society’s complacent attitude towards environmental and humanitarian development.

The room was buzzing with awe-inspiring teens and prospective politicians all yearning to make progressive change with their CAPs; a global network of activists.

With such fluent speakers of English surrounding me I felt spoilt that I was privileged enough to have English as my first language.

Each young activist had a beneficial CAP they hoped to implement: Serene Khatiwada from Nepal aimed to give young people the opportunity to voice their issues with seminars and open house discussions; Beendrict Elezey from Kosovo hoped to initiate peaceful activism by easing the conflict between Albanians and Serbians through sports activities; Eugene Kambuka from Zimbabwe has already set up four libraries to educate locales and give them access to communications like computers; Kamil Zeman currently studying Chemistry in university wants to dissuade companies from using plastic bags and seek alternatives like cloth, paper and straw instead; Ghalia Al-Bashir from Jordan planned to help young people utilise their resources by raising awareness and making them more accessible; Jack Greig from Australia aimed to challenge the stereotypes society uses on minorities by organising ‘interactive and engaging’ presentations at schools.

These are just several examples from over 60 innovative projects which will undoubtedly make a positive difference in helping young people generate international development and create further steps towards a ‘global village’.

Linn (a Global Changemaker) puts it perfectly: “We young people are the foot soldiers on the war against climate change ... therefore as the generals on the war against climate change you all need to step up. Come. Fill the boots we have laid in front of you. “

Their projects were vast and wide reaching. But there goal was simple enough: change. For the projects to flourish, support and initiative from the public is needed.

Youths worldwide are realising that we’re at a pivotal point in society where we must work alongside each other.
I believe we will make that change.

If you want to delve deeper into this innovative scheme visit the Global Changemakers website:

http://www.global-changemakers.net/