A record 350 people, including students from the Goulburn Valley, joined the three-hour online summit to hear experts in diplomacy, politics and social issues speak about leadership. Some participants and schools also joined from Africa and the USA.
State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed kicked off the Zoom session and spoke about being a leader in regional communities.
“You need to be involved (in the community), and that starts from a very young age,” she said.
“We can change the world whether it’s local, whether it’s bigger, whether it’s huge.”
Ms Sheed was also asked about how she found leadership during Shepparton’s COVID outbreak, and she spoke about organising support from the Australian Army and others outside the community.
“In Shepparton, everyone played a part,” she said.
Gallawah founder and director Tina Powney inspired a discussion about Indigenous youth living with disability and navigating the justice system after sharing her personal experience.
“It was about sharing with them (the students) that it doesn't matter where you come from or what road you've walked down, if you see something wrong, make a difference,” she said.
Students also put questions to US Consul-General Kathleen Lively and federal Liberal MP Jason Wood, regarding the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
“We have to keep commitment on making sure we can still try to continue to help, and I know that both the United States and Australia are committed to that,” Ms Lively said.
Other speakers included Pro-Chancellor of Western Sydney University Linda O’Brien, vice-president of UPF Australia John Bellavance, Centre for Optimism chief optimism officer Victor Perton, La Trobe University researcher and lecturer Corina Modderman and community advisor for Fortescue Industries Diana Onyonyi.
The summit was moderated by author and Initiative of Change Australia chief executive Margaret Hepworth.
