Imagine a world, where everyone on this planet works for the betterment of the community and supports each other especially like in these trying times. To fulfill this dream, Activism and Sustainability would play a major role; and helping all to achieve activism and sustainability comfortably, was the main goal of the MUN IMPACT Global summit Session 1 held by Mysoon Hussein – a rising senior from Saudi Arabia, who has been a part of MUN clubs for more than 5 yrs, and has the experience of being a Secretary-General, and a President for MUN conferences and clubs. She is also a co-founder of a non-profit organization. So let us learn more about what was discussed in the workshop.
Maria Ramos states:
“It’s about collaborating and putting the skills from different sectors together to find solutions that can create a more sustainable world”
Taking this further, the presenter discussed sustainability, describing it as, ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs’.
These points were discussed in the workshop with full enthusiasm:
i) Although Sustainability was considered as a luxury years ago, yet it’s now not just an option but an expectation from all of us to improve the world.
ii) Gen Z has tremendous opportunities due to easy accessibility to the internet and other resources and it is already changing the world with its passion (to bring positive changes) and Knowledge.
The participants were encouraged to see the examples of few successful youth leaders working for the sustainability of the world like Jamie Margolin, Autumn Peltier, etc.
It also included clarifying the doubts or obstacles that participants would be facing while participating in Activism and provided effective solutions such as:
a) Having extreme passion about the goal of development
b) At least, starting something as it is never too late.
c) Looking at the people who have already done it.
Some opportunities were discussed which could help students to get sustainability even from their home, like:
i) Educating yourself and others,
ii) Volunteering online,
iii) Starting your own initiative,
Then it was time for the Implementable action plan that includes powerful solutions like:
a) Creating awareness campaigns for Sustainable Development goals,
b) Online Volunteering by doing : Translation / Tutoring / Innovation / Transcription,
c)Donating/hosting food drives,
d) Advocating for policy change.
The presenter also provided some resources to join some pre-existing initiatives like ‘Bit by BIt’,
‘Teach SDGs’, ‘SDG clubs’, etc.
All these contents were extremely significant as activism and sustainability is need of hour and this workshop provided the ways by which each individual can engage himself for a good cause.
I also got a chance to interview the presenter (Maysoon Hussein). The following are the questions answered in the interview.
Q. How and why did you get involved in the Global Summit? And what are your thoughts on it?
– I participated in many other activities by MUN IMPACT, and knowing about the summit, I really wanted to be a part of it. My presentation went really well and the participants were really great. It was a nice experience being in this wonderful community.
Q. What were your expectations from the participants now (after the summit)?
– I want the participants to implement the learnings to become a more responsible citizen, and may be coordinate with me too.
Q.Why did you choose to talk about Sustainability?
– Because l am passionate about the SDGs (they are the blueprints of our future) and l keep trying to promote them in each of my campaigns.
Q. How would you like your work to inspire others?
– I want others not to get discouraged by looking at the greater work by someone but, l want to show that anyone with passion and hardwork can achieve great success!
Q. Any tips on time management between Volunteering and studies?
– Have a Todo-list or google calendar can simply work according to the timetable that gives proper weightage to both studies and volunteering work .
Q. A three-step framework for inducing Activism in all?
– 1) Educating yourself about what is happening around you and getting passionate about something that you want to take part in.
2) Make a plan for reaching out people from all around the world (Networking- via social media)
3)Working with a community of people who can help you to spread your activism
_
By Vedant Kulkarni