Empowering Global Citizenship Through Civic Leadership and Design Thinking Workshop
Recently, I had the privilege of attending an insightful workshop hosted by the renowned Director/Producer in the media industry, Amie Morris. Titled “Civic Leadership and Design Thinking,” the event was centred around fostering effective communication, teaching students about leadership, and promoting honesty, all while incorporating design thinking principles.
Amie Morris, known for her commitment to communication and teaching students about leadership, emphasized the importance of civic leadership throughout the workshop. She encouraged us to consider how we could make a difference in the world, focusing on the well-being of people and the planet.
The workshop also introduced us to the concept of a design sprint, a framework for problem-solving and idea testing. With strong emphasis on empathy, collaboration, optimism, and experimentation, we were divided into teams to tackle real-world problems aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In a short span of time, my team collaborated and selected “Food Waste” as our problem to address. We were shocked to learn that in Australia, around 7.6 million tons of food waste are produced annually, with 70% of it being edible. Inspired by the statistics and the desire to combat food insecurity, we proposed creating an app or website to redistribute surplus food to those in need and creating awareness to reduce the wastage of food.
Participating in this workshop was an eye-opening experience for me. It reinforced the importance of teamwork, empathy, and innovation in solving global challenges. It also provided me with practical skills in design thinking and leadership, preparing me to be a more effective global citizen and leader. We proposed creating an app or website to facilitate this process and raise awareness about food wastage, moreover being a partner with Oz harvest.
We learnt the following aspects:
- Collaborative team effort to solve a single global problem (Food waste)
- Analyse the beneficiaries
- Created Personna
- Designed a sketched prototype of the app/ website with advanced AI facilities
- Feedback with regards of our app/ website success ratio and how to enhance it.
Reflecting on the experience, I realize that even small actions can lead to significant change. By collaborating with diverse team members and leveraging technology, we can address complex issues and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Moving forward, I am inspired to seek out similar opportunities for personal and professional growth. I hope to continue my journey as a global citizen by actively engaging in initiatives that promote social and environmental sustainability.
In conclusion, the Civic Leadership and Design Thinking Workshop was a transformative experience that equipped me with valuable skills and insights. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from Amie Morris, BUILD team and my fellow participants, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to future endeavours.
Silja Johny
Master of Business Analytics (Extension)
UTS Think Global 