BY ANISHA SATYA, STAFF REPORTER
The E3 Summit this September is a global event; it’s expected to host hundreds of students from around the world. With a huge range of speakers and topics, it is set to be an exciting three days.
Students will be focussing on things in relation to the “3 E’s”: Earth, Economy, Equity. Each “E” bears a heavy and generalised load, so speakers will break it down over the event. But what happens after everything’s been said? The Sandbox and Dolphin Pool aim to solve that problem.
Ayomide Ajakaiye is in her freshman year at college in the United States. She likes fantasy novels, plays three sports and helps run her school’s Afro-American Affinity group. In Canada, 18-year-old Canran Xue directs campaigns, such as Orange Shirt Day, in her spare time. She studies commerce at the University of Toronto.
The girls live miles apart, but share three things; a busy lifestyle, a passion for social change, and a love for all things MUN. This year, they share the role of deputy secretary general for the Sandbox and Dolphin Pool events, along with American student Zoey Fisher.
If you’ve no idea what the E3 Summit is, here’s your rundown. Over three consecutive days, guest speakers will host sessions (think TEDTalks) of around an hour on all numbers of topics, each of which’ll tie in to the three E’s and its related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We’ll have people from the UN to Youth Leaders” says Ayomide. “And on the theme? [The Summit Team] wanted to focus on what’s relevant right now.”
The Sandbox and Dolphin Pool. No, not in the literal sense (though I wouldn’t mind a swim with dolphins) but in a collaborative sense. Each event provides attendees the tools and space for them to take those three E’s and apply them; Create initiatives, project plan, and so on.
“It’s basically an interactive event” says Canran. “People get to discuss the connected SDGs and make a plan.”
The plan in question is up to you; look at the related SDGs and figure out which one you’re the most passionate about. You’ll spend the session with other attendees passionate about the same thing, discussing how you could affect change in relation to that SDG. Ayomide, Canran and Zoey will be there to help you out.
“The Dolphin Pool is the culmination of everyone’s work” Ayomide says. Here, you take your ideas and present them to an expert panel, while “around 300 people” will be watching, says Canran. If you’re idea is solid enough, there’s a chance you could implement it, and the panel will tell you if that’s the case so go hard, and try your best. “It’s like Shark Tank, but friendlier” Ayomide jokes.
The girls discussed that the Sandbox and Dolphin Pool events are learning curves for them, too. Ayomide says they “take things from the last summit, build on them and grow with them”, learning about what works in a collaborative space and what doesn’t with every event.
The girls and the wider E3 team understand that events like these can be a little overwhelming, especially if its your first one. They encourage you not to worry, Canran saying “once people get comfortable … they share and discuss more.”
Should you get involved in a summit, or in other MUN events? Both Ayomide and Canran say yes. “It’s just amazing to see just how diverse the sessions are” says Canran. “And if English isn’t your first language, don’t worry! Everyone’s understanding.”
“I really liked the experiences in the past” she says. “That’s why I’m here again.”