Organised by the Bangkok-based Humanitarian Affairs Asia’s (HAA), and with funding support from the Global Experience Bursary, Westminster students attended the University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) that brings together young leaders from around the world to foster their initiative and capacity to initiate socially meaningful projects, address issues such as climate change, poverty and inequality, and contribute towards the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The symposium, which is organised in collaboration with ten UN agencies and several NGOs, was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, offering students a unique opportunity for professional development, networking and travel.
The initiative was made possible through a recent collaboration, developed by Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad, Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy at the University of Westminster, between HAA and the University. The collaboration is a result of efforts to establish a connection with the UN and its related institutions, with the aim of offering Westminster students funded internships and professional development opportunities internationally. This collaboration has been facilitated by the University’s recent endorsement as an Associate of the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN-DGC).
Throughout the symposium, the students were able to hear from and connect with humanitarian speakers from around the world on topics such as the digital divide, education, mental health and leadership values. The symposium also proved to be a valuable networking opportunity, with delegates participating from 46 different countries and several UN agencies and NGOs in attendance.
Jake Beasley, a Level 5 International Relations and Development BA Honours student who attended the symposium, said: “Being surrounded by so many passionate individuals across the world, that share the same concerns and challenges within their own local communities, was both inspiring and reassuring.”
Luis Credido, a Politics and International Relations BA Honours student who graduated this summer, said: “The continuous exchange of ideas and perspectives with my fellow delegates increased my cultural and social awareness. Whilst the range of topics were varied, there was a consistent theme: each speaker had identified an issue around them and had decided to make a difference. While the challenges were daunting, optimism undoubtedly permeated.”
Westminster USLS participants were joined by Momina Nehmat and Mauminah Hussain, recent graduates of the Politics and International Relations BA Honours and International Relations and Development BA Honours courses respectively, who were the first Westminster students selected for HAA’s prestigious Social Impact Internship Programme. Commenting on this, Luis said that the strong connections created at Westminster “go well beyond the borders of the UK”.
Commenting on the symposium, Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad added: “Forging partnerships with global organisations such as HAA not only provides unique and internationalised learning and employability opportunities for our students but also carves a space for our students at major global platforms an gives a major boost to our University’s international reputation and reach.”
Whilst the first two days of the symposium were structured around knowledge-sharing, the symposium’s third day, Kindness Day, focused on action and giving back to the community, with delegates offered a choice of activities designed to make a positive impact on the local area. Luis and Jake participated in the Mangrove Planting session to foster a healthier eco-system with the aim of encouraging an increase in the local dolphin population.
Jayanna Nero, a Level 4 International Relations and Development BA Honours student, opted for the School Painting project. Commenting on this volunteering experience, he said: “This experience was one of the best days of my life. I was in love with volunteerism and development prior to the trip, but the Kindness Day and the whole symposium re-ignited the spark I had.”
Reflecting on the experience, Jake said that the symposium has shown him the importance of “taking the initial small steps towards change”. Luis credited the experience's contribution to his academic career, by saying that the interactions and the networking “have been of great help to redefine the research area I will be focusing on during the next stage in my academic life”.
Find out more about Global Westminster.
