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A small group of Third and Fourth Form Academic Scholars from Wellington College joined 800 students from 24 different countries at the Youth Forum Switzerland 2023, hosted by the International School of Zug and Lucerne. The aim of the forum was to facilitate students to ‘Explore, Connect, and be Inspired’.
Throughout the forum our students had the opportunity to connect with an a wide range of inspiring and passionate Changemakers and other like minded students. Particular highlights for our students included: Jade Hameister, the youngest person to achieve the ‘polar hat-trick’; Scott Poynton whose work in the jungles of Indonesia put an effective end to deforestation there and who stressed the importance of ‘mediation not activism’ and Robin Jenkins who shared his experience of the migrant crisis and an insight into the unintended consequences of data for NGOs. Our students’ favourite panel discussions considered the circular economy; what future cars might look like, water as the power of life and whether humanitarian aid is a cure-all?
In addition to the talks and panel discussion there were a series of Impact labs where our students grappled with challenging ideas in small groups under the expert guidance of one of the speakers. Our students embraced the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone, listening thoughtfully and adding their own insightful contributions. Each evening there was an ‘Apéro’ where all guests mingled and our students had a further opportunity to engage with both experts and other students in a more intimate setting.
After two busy days our group hit the mountains for a day of ‘R&R’ on the glacier at Mount Titlis, as well as sightseeing at the city of Lucerne with its stunning medieval architecture on the edge of the beautiful Lake.
We are hugely grateful to our hosts at ISZL and proud of our students, who were wonderful ambassadors for the College.
