August 22nd, 2016: Members of the Canadian University Dubai (CUD) Student Council have attended the 7th University Scholars Leadership Symposium convened by social change organization, Humanitarian Affairs.
The delegation of Student Council President, Janine Pinto; Vice-President, Abou Bakr Garba; Secretary, Asad Siddique; and Treasurer, Sulaiman Dayoub, were accompanied by communications professor Sokaina Al Haseny, to join a gathering of more than 700 participants representing 69 countries around the world.
The group heard from a lineup of inspirational speakers, including NGO founder, David Begbie; social entrepreneur, Lina Khalifeh; and former Deputy Director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, Dr. Susan Hammond, on the theme of humanitarian aid, efforts, and relief around the world.
Covering a wide range of humanitarian-related issues, from poverty to education, the speakers revealed their own personal experiences of societal challenges, including refugee crises, human trafficking, self-defense for women and children, and the after-effects of war.
The University Scholars Leadership Symposium is an annual event designed to provide the next generation of leaders with an understanding of key sustainable development challenges, and to motivate them to realise their potential as agents of change. The huge diversity of nationalities in attendance at this year’s gathering was evident as participants showed off their traditional dress during the week-long event.
During the symposium, the 700 delegates were also given the opportunity to visit villages, schools and hospitals, to spend time with and to help disabled children, senior citizens, war veterans, farmers, workers and other local communities. They contributed through hands-on efforts including farming, building bridges, gardening, teaching children, and developing arts and crafts.
The visit also provided the students with an insight into Vietnamese culture, art, history, dance, music, and other aspects of the country’s lifestyle and heritage, through various performances from local artists.
Speaking about the event, communications student Asad said, “This was an absolutely life-changing experience, and I would encourage as many students as possible to join next year’s conference in Beijing, China, to be part of a journey that will last a lifetime!”
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