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In the first week of August, I followed the online selection for the Global Changemakers Youth Summit 2010 - a large meeting as reasonable as the conference for the youth of the world are active in the social world, organizations, NGOs, and communities of change. This summit is organized by British Council - a great institution based in the UK, which concern of educational and cultural exchanges between countries. Global Changemakers Youth Summit has always been event eagerly awaited by thousands of young people aged sixteen to nineteen years in the entire world , including Indonesia. How could it not? because, the sixty participants who pass the selection process with well is entitled to attend Summit - contains training and meeting with the delegates from other countries, cool organizations, and a lot of competence peoples in London, United Kingdom from 21 - 27 November 2010.
5th and 6th August are my sacred date. More sacred than christmas night, the day when my cat gave birth, or even the world cup finals. Because,on August 5, I’ve sent the English selection form for Global Changemakers Youth Summit, and on the next day I’ve completed the video applications Thank God there’s no problem with the form, but with the video application, I was almost desperate. Video application was made on the last day delivery limit the application, by only using a digital camera with a very ordinary and in a hurry because I was had the preparatory meeting schedule for my youth organization event, and without any editing process or anything to "beautify" the video. In the application requirements,each participant must upload their videos to Youtube and publish it to Global Youth Summit’s Youtube account. Another problem arises, the internet connection in my house is very very slow. Slower than snail that carry three houses at once, snail that hit by a bike out, or even an anemia’s snail. Ah, just very very slow so I didn’t know when the video upload process will finished. Cause I’m very very afraid the timing is not hurried, finally I brought the videomaterial to my organization office, and upload them there. Yeah, it was much better. Finally, all the registration process was cleared.
The period begins excited! Since the sacred day, I don't have a nice sleep and often eat with uncomfortable feeling. Oh no, I'm not falling in love with the actor or celebrity. However, I’m currently thinking about my fate of the Global Changemakers YouthSummit application! "Is that qualify? Passed the deadline? Or perhaps ... not up to the committee at all!" It is a collection of thoughts that are difficult to avoid at the time. Frankly, I'm not a hundred percent sure will select to the next phase - 'interview'. Pray is a must. But for sure, I'd just not too confident for this.
Already fifteen days have passed, but there’s no good news yet. Suddenly, on sixteen day precisely dated on August 23, an astonishing email come from an Australian named Sam, he is the agent of the Global Changemakers who in charge for interviewed me on Wednesday - two days after that email. I really didn’t think I will qualify for this phase. Interviews lasted about twelve minutes via phone was held in the evening when I just finished a comedy show on stage, the mood is still on "betawi-betawian" but I should listen and speak English fluently. Luckily one of my friends kind enough to lend his car for me to get the concentration when doing the interview. Two very contrast jobs on August 23.
September arrived very quickly and unexpectedly! I was really hoping to like ‘Vina Panduwinata’ who always through the September with cheerful. On 5th, an email answered my pray. On September 5th, I receive an email from Global Changemakers Youth Summit 2010 committee , which states I passed! I succeeded and entitled to become a part of Global Changemakers Youth Summit 2010 with other 59 participants whose selected from around the world. Totally speechless.
During September, October, until the first week of November. I’m really focused to preparing myself for this huge International event. Made a passport, bought a suitcase and sweaters, do the questionnaire or some little materials provided, reading related books, apply for visa, and... get in touch with the others Global Changemakers Representatives.
A heavy suitcase, the busy atmosphere at the terminal of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, dry throat, and an important message from my mother, are accompany my departure to London with a brother from the University of Indonesia who was also a selected Changemaker from Indonesia . November 21, at 0:30 our Airbus plane had touched the cloud, drove us to transit in Doha first, then go on air until arriving at Heathrow Airport, London.
Pick-up session by the British Council staff at Heathrow Airport was very comfortable, we were immediately escorted to the Uplands: the area where we will go through six days for sharing and practicing in future. Wow! Apparently, Uplands are in a slightly remote area, hiding behind hills and cold forest with very little building located near our venue.
I love Monday! Especially for Monday at November 22. Days where I and all participants of Global Changemakers Youth Summit 2010 chattering and share our activism experiences in our own respective countries. After that, we start given the 'intake' about Project Management, discussion with friends of our Issues Group (from long time ago before departure, we have set will dealing and work with which issues, Women's Rights is mine), and the introduction of the ‘Sketches' session (short play which should be designed and displayed by each peer group, with the display time and the theme chosen randomly)
23 and 24 November are sweet busy couple days! For two days, me and all participants trained many sessions. There is a session with World Bank Institute, Pamela Hartigan (author of The Power of Unreasonable People). Andy Hansen and David Askins (sports activists), circumference the Skills Marketplace, and for sure, Working Session on Groups and Sketches.
Trip trip trip! Thursday November 25th, we're all full walk around London! Tried London Boat Trip, quick shopping, meeting with leaders of the British Council center, visit the organization to see how they work ( I chose the Oval Theatre – a theatre community who defense for Gay, Lesbian, and other marginalized peoples. Oval Theatre voicing the action through acting on stage, Oya, Me and some friends who went to Oval had the opportunity to test the ability of our improvisation skills ! ) last session is ‘non-stop reception’ contains chat and do the conversations with the officials, ambassadors from various countries, and other Global Changemakers is being or has been engaged in their Global Action Projects.
Please do not say goodbye ... Yup! This is Friday, November 26th. Means this is the last day of Summit! Our busy things on Friday are finalization project, presentations, advocacy, follow-up, super-important session with Caroline Casey, awarding certificates and pledge our palms on top of a big poster, and… farewell dinner We really won’t to call this as a last day, because actually, we will always hold this Global Changemakers family. Although we are separate countries and even continents, we have one vision and mission ie : Make a Change!
Checkout and return back to hometown-Indonesia on Saturday 27th November. Still want there, still want to be with other friends, but yeah, everything must be end. We must return to our own countries, live our busy life, working on projects, and Make a Smiley World!
_NR_
kereeennnnnnnnnnn ^^
ReplyDeletethankies kak :))
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