Relishing the experience of spending a week in Dubai for an environmental youth leadership summit, a Lacombe student is all the more empowered to be a ‘changemaker’ as she charts her life’s course.
Lacombe Composite High School student Sara Thornhill, 16, recently returned from the summit which was held in tandem with the United Nations COP28 conference.
It was an amazing experience to not only learn, but also share ideas, be inspired by other youth, and catch a greater vision of how others are tackling the issues surrounding climate change, she said.
“There were around 50 of us there, including teachers, from about 20 different countries,” she explained. “That was one of my highlights, just getting to know more about all of the cultures.”
Thornhill found those connections to be a rich learning experience but also a personal highlight.
“At one point there was a birthday and we were all singing Happy Birthday in our languages. That was beautiful — it was great to see and hear it.”
Thornhill said the conference site was enormous, with all sorts of stages and pavilions, and the learning opportunities were endless.
One remarkable aspect was a student/science fair where the students created and displayed posters conveying themes connected to climate change.
“People could come by and ask questions, and it was all really a big conversation,” she said. “That was one of the biggest things that I did.
“It was amazing. We all have the same passion, and we just wanted to learn and build from everything that was going on. It was so cool being able to hear other people’s stories from other countries, what they are personally experiencing, and what their thoughts were on it all. We are all experiencing climate change, but in different ways,” she said.
“I just found that to be very unique, and not an experience that many people get.”
A particular joy was to be able to share about Lacombe Composite’s EcoVision club and what they have accomplished over the years.
Thornhill was also able to do a brief livestream talk on what she would like to see in education.
“It was really powerful,” said science teacher and EcoVision founder Steve Schultz, who accompanied Thornhill on the trip and also took in sessions at the conference. “It was broadcast on social media to thousands and thousands of people.”
Thornhill is also a part of a youth organization called #DECARBONIZE, and was ultimately selected by the Centre for Global Education to represent the youth voice of Lacombe on climate change during the summit.
All in all, it was a whirlwind of activity and Thornhill admitted that by the end of it, she was spent.
“Thinking back to it now, I wish I was still there to spend some more time. But also by the end of the seven days, I needed a break,” she added with a laugh.
Still, it wasn’t all work and no play. One day, some of the youth headed to a massive market via a ‘water’ taxi.
“We went across the lake on a boat, and we got to see all of these sites,” she said. “It’s very beautiful there, especially with the bright blue sky. It was so nice on the water, too — a bit cooler which we all enjoyed.”
She also was able to take a desert tour complete with vibrant cultural activities.
”We drove through the dunes and also watched the sunset out there,” she said, adding she also landed a camel ride, too.
Ultimately, Schultz said that the Dubai experience was affirming for him as well.
“Sara did a phenomenal job. She was well-spoken at her school presentations, and I’m so proud of her,” he said, adding that she was always willing to step up and share her thoughts and ideas.
“How many kids get to go to the United Nations COP28 summit? And even more importantly, how many of them get to have their voices heard?”
Sara’s commitment to the cause is deeply inspiring to him as well.
“My hope for Sarah is that (this experience) will encourage her to keep fighting the good fight and to reach out and draw more people in,” he said. “We need student leaders who are courageous, and who are willing to swim ‘upstream’.
“I always tell our EcoVision students that they are unique and that they are the hope for the future.”
Seeing the students here at home and overseas at the conference also gives him a greater sense of hope.
“I’m so excited that this group of students is willing to challenge the status quo, that they are willing to step out of their comfort zones, and they are willing to speak from their hearts about what they want to see changed.”