The Girls’ Leadership Summit 2020 was an online free global event, reaching schools literally across the globe. Schools in Argentina, Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Zambia, Canada, United Kingdom, Jordan and Oman were reached. To be able to have this reach was exciting for Roedean School (SA) in Parktown and the Roedean Academy learners participated in the event. Roedean marketing and public relation director Khanya Warren said venues were set up on the Roedean campus to ensure information technology (IT) accessibility.
“A platform was created for the delegates to discuss critical social issues that affect young women in the context of service in leadership. The former First Lady Graca Machel, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and The Honourable Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka were the keynote speakers; and powerfully and compassionately set the scene for meaningful dialogue. To have these wise and highly respected women share their insights with us was inspiring and humbling,” Warren recounted.
She added, “We were made aware of our collective inter-dependent existence and the interconnections between our communities. The act of building hope and solidarity, and actively countering despair and division, exemplifies service in leadership. Service in leadership is about responsible leadership, for a sustainable and an equitable world.”
Warren said the event compelled delegates to deliberately hone a social conscience, in which all have a responsibility to condemn injustices and social inequalities and where possible, we are to collaborate to end them. #Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and Covid-19 both managed, each differently, to unite the world. She said While BLM unites us all as humanity to denounce any actions that are racially based, Covid-19 united humanity against the virus.
“Young leaders are speaking about change, and the summit provided the space for delegates to re-think the way they define leadership through three overarching themes –leadership skills for building solidarity for social change, social justice in education and social entrepreneurship, environmental injustice and social entrepreneurship. These themes were structured as panel discussions consisting of a diverse group of activists.”
Closing remarks and navigating a way forward were delivered by Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, the founder of Narachi Leadership. She emphasised the need to create a community with a vision, and the courage and influence to drive positive change. She explained that we need to be bold in undertaking a sense of shared responsibility and encourage and inspire young women to be global citizens who are driven to lead in their desired areas of interest.
The marketing and public relations director said Phedisang Community Development Project was the beneficiary of the event and a Payfast account was set up and delegates were encouraged to make a donation towards the Phedisang Innovation Hub, an information and technology centre, which is in the process of being created.
“We thank Business Connexion (BCX) and Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) who generously sponsored the event aligning themselves with Roedean’s values and vision.”
Details: Please visit the Girls’ Leadership Summit webpage for more information https://www.bcx.co.za/roedean-school-girls-leadership-summit/
Filler: Share your school news by email to naidines@caxton.co.za
