Youth Advisory Panel Graduation

Year 8 student Jessica Cronin recently graduated from the Youth Advisory Panel for the World's Largest Lesson which focuses on teaching children about the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In 1945 after the end of the Second World War, the United Nations, previously known as The League of Nations was formed. The United Nations was created to promote communication between countries and now nearly every country in the world works together on tackling big concepts such as Climate Change on a global scale. In 2015 the United Nations developed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals also known as the UNs Global Goals. It is hoped that these goals will be achieved by 2030. In 2015 the World's Largest Lesson was also created to teach children who will become the adults of 2030 about these goals. Since its launch in September 2015, the World's Largest Lesson has reached over 130 countries and impacted over 8 million children each year.

Over the past 6 months, Jessica along with her friends Cody Walker, Nicole Hodgett, and Grace Healy were accepted from over 800 applications to the Youth Advisory Panel where they participated in  Zoom calls with students from 15 other countries.

Due to the time differences and the Northern Hemisphere school year, these calls were held late at night and over the Australian summer holidays. The dedication, perseverance and pride that these girls, particularly Jessica who participated in every session displayed when talking about our College and their local community was outstanding.

It is exciting that Jessica plans to continue the connection she has made with students from several different countries and will create further awareness about the Global Goals in our school and the wider Sunshine Coast community.

Jessica believes that "The Youth Advisory Panel was a wonderful experience, connecting with other kids across the globe sharing the same passion. I have learnt innovative skills as well as made connections with adults and children who all feel the same way about our world."

Mrs Linda Sydes, Teacher - English, Humanities