13th University Scholars Leadership Symposium

Amidst monsoonal rain, Nasi Lemak in the air and the vibrant buzz of Kuala Lumpur, stands a convention centre brimming with young leaders waiting to create change. From 35 different countries, with different global outlooks, we had two instant similarities: all being university students and being passionate about changemaking.

But how do we create change?

And in this big broad world, is it even possible?

Begin the 13th University Scholars Leadership Symposium, an experience combining passion to change and better the world, with inspirational speeches and the opportunity to listen to people from all walks of life.

Day one began with a hearty breakfast before we headed over to the conference room. Inside, we were greeted with an opening ceremony consisting of live music and ethnic dances before the speeches took a more somber turn. Two refugee children from Palestine and Syria entered the room, sharing all the changes in their young life they had witnessed. Many of us were teary eyed, but they left the room with a final message: you can be the voice, our voice.

While these words might seem like a distant philosophical thought and in a world of pain and suffering, its difficult to imagine creating change, USLS brought changemaking to life with Kindness Day. While Day one and two consisted of speeches from various people including Simerjeet Singh – a motivational speaker who taught us to create change all you need is: your mind, heart and hands, or Erfanalluh Abidi, Founder of Afghan Girls’ Underground Schools, who reminded us laziness kills any potential change. Kindness Day, our third activity brought to life change making.

My group’s objective for Kindness Day was to plant 1000 mangroves in 1 day at the Kuala Selangor National Park.

Coming from a family of farming background, I assumed the park would be a open green space, simple to plant in. As we arrived at Kuala Selangor, Mr. Ashok, the president of the Nature Conservation Committee, advised us, high tide meant the mud was soaked from the waters of the Strait of Malacca. Donning Wellington boots, we walked about two kilometres into the forest, and were greeted with the volunteers of the National Park. By this point, I’d sunk into the mud about two times, falling on my back, mud everywhere. Mangrove shoots and bamboo sticks were all over the muddy plane, ready to be planted.

And so we began, bit by bit we each planted an average of 10+ trees. It wasn’t an easy process, we had crabs crawling on us, our boots would get stuck in the mud, and in the sweltering summer sun – we could taste the salty sweat, just 10 minutes after walking in. It wasn’t a daisy field with intricate planting techniques, but by the end, drenched in sweat and mud, the shared vision and our camaraderie filled our hearts. 100+ changemakers from 35 different countries, helping each other out of the mud – restoring belief in humanity and bringing to life the potential each of us have.

Celeste Valiozis
Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) Bachelor of International Studies
BUILD – University Scholars Leadership Symposium, Malaysia
BUILD Global Ambassador Grant recipient

For more information on UTS BUILD, please visit: www.uts.edu.au/build