Traveller’s blog no 16 - Diego

Monday, 5 May 2008 | posted by Matt_BC
General, Guildford 2008, Politics

About a year ago, when my whole life was like a hurricane due to college, job and other activities i thought about my perspectives and i had wrongly realised that it would remain the same in the future.
Social projects, caring about other's situation and future, worrying about being active on society? Who cared whether i was involved on that or not?

On september of 2007 i was told about an opportunity abroad for those who had been working those activities described above, i had known about it only 2 days before the deadline for submitting applications and i struggled to do it. What i had thought was: Oh god i have only taken 3 years of english course, i live in the poorest region of my country, i will never be chosen, those kind stupid thoughts someone may have when facing challenges. Even though, i took the risk, that was what i had been waiting for.

Then i was chosen.

I was selected to join a global network led by the British Council for the Road to Davos program for the World Economic Forum. And i can say with all the breath and strength that my life has changed ever since. I went to UK and was involved in such a impactful environment, workshops and direct discussions with other young actvists to share ideas and learn more about global issues. It was over two weeks of intense learning and development.

After that conference, when we came back home, it was like: now it is time to work! I felt energized to boost and foster more and more issues like young participation, social entrepreneurship and stuff. A network was created among the participants and from that time on we were to spontaneously cause a good impact into society. Mission acomplished.

About 2 months ago, i fell on the floor when i had received an invitation from the British Council to join the international delegation for the World Economic Forum in Middle East, specifically the part that concerned the youth participation which took place in Dubai.
That was incredible. I firstly thought it would be exactly the same as it was in UK but that could not be compared, not in terms of quality or stuff, but because it was an immersion, in what for me has been a kind of another world.

Most of our works and activities was about predicting future and working based on some scenarios in order to avoid some further situations. Sustainbility, multi polar relations and many other issues were taken on account. A new level of discussions was stablished, and the international delegation was invited to join the other participants all from middle east nations. I am gonna be honest, it was definatelly a challenge for us, first because we had to learn the faster we could middle east news and everything related to it. And second, we had a heavier responsability to represent not only our nations but also our continents and regions. Latin America, East Europe, North America, Africa, etc.

I felt like a diplomat (which is what i want to be in the future). We talked about politicians, we stablished challenges, we did increase our network. The benefits and outcomes generated by this experience still show up now.
I could apply my experiences and point of views. Entrepreneuship, media usage and last but no least, which i consider one of the most important for because it is my field of work: Corporate Relations; i met directors of NGO's, some of the young arab leaders, social entrepreneurs, etc. I felt like that was the right place for me. Politics, economy and business issues were analyzed by us in high level. Another mission acomplished.

Once again, benefits and changes just do not stop happening to me and to the ones surrounding me.

Over a year ago I was a young(er) guy who was struggling hard to break through such a reality and becoming someone different, someone who did care about future and present. But for several circunstances i coudnt manage to go further, i could not find the back up and support i needed. That was the past. From the time i knew British Council on, opportunities and challenges are part of my daily activities. If creating opportunities worldwide is one of British Council's motto, so i dare to say with no doubt that they have carried out this mission.

And i will make sure that every single person from the same situation and background i come from hear about British Council, not as a payment for what they have done, but as a valorization for what they have done. Several people working to promote understanding, and global partnership as result of incredible programs like these youth conferences.

Now i just cant count how many interviews i gave as a result of the support i have been having from BC, enterprises negotiate to have me as their employee, my social projects gained a better view and they get famous as result of this promotion. Honestly speaking, what i feel inside, i want others to feel it, this motivation, this new perspective, this strenght.

Now i just stare in wonder when i view this young movement coming along and getting stronger. I see myself as an effective leader and i will not keep my mouth shut without saying this.