On July 26, 2016, Little Voice’s author Amanda Bernardo was chosen to represent Canada at this year’s One Young World Summit. Amanda will soon join 1300 delegates from around the world to take part in this year’s Summit in Ottawa! Her determination as a young public servant and drive as a passionate community builder will enable her to use this experience to grow as a future leader in Canada.
What is One Young World?
One Young World is a charity that stages an annual Summit, which gathers together the brightest young people from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change. The 2015 Summit in Bangkok welcomed 1,300 delegates aged between 18 and 30 from 196 countries. Unlike any other event, the Summit gives young people the kind of media platform and forum ordinarily afforded only to the leaders of nations and corporations.
What do delegates do at the Summit?
Delegates debate, formulate and share innovative solutions for the pressing issues the world faces. Following each Summit the attending delegates become One Young World Ambassadors and are charged to work on their own initiatives or lend the power of the One Young World network to those already in existence. Ambassadors have gone on to have an impact on issues ranging from education, global business, health, human rights, sustainable development and transparency.
Why did Amanda want to join One Young World?
Amanda’s application for One Young World was driven by her determination as a young leader in government but also by her passion to expand her local community volunteer efforts to a global scale!
“I am most passionate about public policy and philanthropy. I currently work as a Policy Analyst with Parks Canada where I am able to deliver policy and program initiatives that work towards protecting and presenting nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage. In dong so, I am able to foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure the ecological and commemorative integrity of these places for present and future generations. By attending OYW, I hope to motivate the next generation of young leaders to protect, conserve and establish new protected areas within Canada and the world for the benefit of wildlife, habitat and biodiversity conservation, but also for humanity. Together, we can improve our world and environment. When I am not working as a Policy Analyst, I am a passionate volunteer who works closely with my community to support local causes and initiatives. I am particularly passionate about Alzheimer’s research and have worked closely with the Alzheimer Society of Canada and Ottawa and Renfrew County to support the essential programs and services that work to effectively alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias within my community. My fundraising efforts have also enabled me to work with CHEO, Proud to be Me, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Ottawa Network for Education, the Ottawa Food Bank and the Canadian Cancer Society. Volunteering has always been a huge part of my life; it has been a means for me to advocate on behalf of causes I believe in, to fundraise in an effort to extend the support needed, and to create awareness wherever possible. As a community builder, I believe that it is not only important to give back but also to inspire the next generation to go out and do the same! Together, there is no telling what we can accomplish!”
A Special Thank You
“Thank you so much to all those who sponsored my journey, without your support I would not be able to participate in this amazing opportunity. I promise to make the most of this experience and to return more inspired and determined than ever! My dedication to my community and country will only grow from here and I hope that my work with Little Voice will soon influence people all around the world. I hope my journey will also inspire your own little voice and remind you to be the change the world needs!”
