World Vision Junior Youth Conference 2024

Last week eight out of our 2024 group of Tahuna School Councillors and House Leaders had the fantastic opportunity to spend the day at the World Vision Junior Youth Conference.

Specifically targeted to students in Years 6 to 8, this day was full of ideas and inspiration on how to identify problems, seek solutions and then lead change. We were lucky enough to hear from a range of passionate, energetic young speakers who had great tips on how to be a young leader.

World Vision is currently working on improving the lives of people in Timor-Leste and so part of the day focused on what's happening there and how we can help by taking part in the 40 Hour Challenge ... more info will follow on this in the coming weeks.

Our group of students were great ambassadors for Tahuna, making the most of the activities on offer, contributing their ideas and soaking up the ideas offered by the speakers. We'll look forward to taking some of the current cohort of Year 7's to the Youth Conference as leaders of the school next year.

Here are some brief reflections on the day:

Sam: The conference was a great way to raise awareness about climate change, especially to people like us whose world will be most impacted in the future. A great way to raise awareness is bringing us into the perspective of Pasquela, a woman from Timor-Leste who is incredibly affected by climate change.

Abi: Some of the messages that I got from the conference are that we need to make a change now. If we don’t do something, no-one will. People, animals and plants are suffering because of our actions and we are just watching it like it’s some fake t.v. show. But we can make a difference, Tahuna kids can raise money and support those who are suffering. The four steps we can use are: goal, engage, mobilise and hype. We set our goal, get people involved, make it exciting and together we can be the change!

Joseph: Climate change is severely affecting the countries who are too economically unstable to be able to put up with the constant natural disasters. Four steps to cause a change are to set a goal, engage, mobilise and hype. Land will be submerged under water. Pasquela’s story shows how Timor-Leste is being greatly affected by natural disasters which are becoming more and more common.

Layla: Timor-Leste produces 0.003% of the world’s greenhouse gases but it is one of the most impacted countries in the world. We have to do these four steps: goal, engage, mobilise and hype. We’ll get sign-ups, choose challenges and get sponsors. A lady called Faiesea Ah Chee who moved to New Zealand from Samoa during her schooling came in and talked about her journey.

Connor: I learnt that you may be a leader but that you need others’ help. That you may not make an eco footprint but you will still be impacted by climate change. So, convince others to make a change and to minimise their eco footprints

Menzie: I learnt so much about the environment, state of the world and how privileged I am to live in NZ. It has made me so much more aware and passionate about what we as a school and nation can do. By using the four steps: goal, engage, mobilise and hype, I want to encourage the school to do as much fundraising and supporting of the 40 Hour Challenge as possible and know that we can make a difference and change the lives of as many people as possible for the better.

Ada: I learnt that Timor-Leste produces only 0.003% of greenhouse gases but gets impacted the most. This year the 40 Hour Challenge is helping small countries like Timor-Leste get the resources they need to rebuild. We also learnt about the steps to promote the 40 Hour Challenge: goal, engage, mobilise and hype.

Genevieve: I learnt that places like Timor-Leste which contribute 0.003% of carbon emissions are being affected the worst by our climate crisis. So, we could help Pasquela and people like her by setting a goal, mobiliising and hyping up other students and getting them to participate in the 40 Hour Challenge for 2024.