Leeds pupils on mission to solve global problems
Forty young people from high schools across Leeds have returned from the United States after a mission to solve the problems of the world.
The students, aged 14 to 17, travelled to Los Angeles where they joined 3,000 other youngsters from around the world for an annual 'PeaceJam', a week-long brain-storming session in which young people who may be the leaders of tomorrow devise ways of making the world a more peaceful place.
They also met winners of the Nobel Peace Laureate, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The Dalai Lama, Jody Williams, and Burmese peace campaigners.
For many of the youngsters the journey was a once-in-a-lifetime experience – as a group from Abbey Grange High School in West Park reported.
"It was incredible hearing the laureates speak," said Yasmin Glover.
Natalie Wood said: "PeaceJam was amazing and gave me a new outlook on life.
"I really want to try and make a difference and can't wait to start."
Bronte Pearson said: "I had the best time ever – it really changed my opinion on youth today.
"It's so inspiring to see how much positive impact youth bring to the world today.
"What inspired me most was Charm Tong and her speech.
"I now know I can do more and am not at a disadvantage just because I'm young.
"I will carry on and my goal is to help the people in Burma as much as possible and eventually free Aung San Suu Kyi."
Elliott Archibald said: "Being with thousands of people made me feel so great, because I knew that it was not just me who wanted to make change, the feeling was mutual.
"The person who most inspired me was Jody Williams, as an individual she is so powerful.
"She used a term 'violently peaceful', from this I feel that as human beings we can be passionately peaceful, and really speak up and not be scared of mentioning that you are a peacemaker!"
"It was the greatest experience of my life and really inspired me to do great things in life," said Olivia Barraclough.
"I was especially inspired by Charm Tong as I learnt about the people of Burma.
"They need our help and I hope one day I can help."
Freddie Denton said: "In a world with so many issues and problems it's nice to know I'm part of something working towards changing it.
"When I heard Desmond Tutu say that 'we are the best of the best' and that 'the world is in good hands' it really made me want to help the world and make him proud as he has put his trust in us and I don't think we have the right to let him down."
Jonny Hill said: "People affected by storms and flooding: 250,000 in USA. 4,000,000 in India.
"Yet which one do we hear about on the news?
"Which country can afford to repair the damage and carry on? Maybe we have our priorities wrong, yet Peacejam tries to redress this. The experience was amazing, it's not often I say that about things.
"It makes me want to really do something about the injustices of the world and try to help sort things out.
"I was so inspired by the laureates giving their views, it was so humbling. So maybe the west has got its priorities wrong, we need to do something about it."
Alice Rowland said: "The thing that inspired me most was when Jody Williams spoke about being 'violently peaceful' because that is exactly the way I feel, and I aspire to be like her one day.
"It also really touched me when Charm Tong was speaking about Burma – because it made me realise what a state the world is in and how much there is to be done.
"We think we have problems but they seem small and petty in comparison. Someone needs to do something about this – and if we don't who will? We're the next generation so we'd better start straight away."
Schools involved were Garforth Community College, Otley Prince Henry's Grammar School, South Leeds High, Abbey Grange High, Intake High and Brigshaw High at Allerton Bywater.
Posted: Monday, October 13, 2008
« Back