Reflections on My Time in Glasgow

Bong’s Blog: Reflections on My Time in Glasgow

I am proud to share a few highlights of my first international trip of many to come representing Waves for Change all over the globe. The trip overall was a phenomenal experience and opportunity to network with young leaders within the sport for development community. On the same note, I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity that International Inspiration has granted me.
The main purpose of the trip was to attend the Commonwealth conference on sport for development in Glasgow. The most important objective was to develop a youth charter which will be implemented in all countries within the commonwealth. This charter will promote youth participation and involvement in all key decision-making levels of governance within sporting bodies. This will ensure that the voice of the youth is heard and that all youth members of the commonwealth have equal access to play sport regardless of their ability or gender. This requires a network for communication across the commonwealth which has been established through the conference.

As delegates we had some inspirational panel discussions from leading members of the commonwealth who shared stories of how sport continues to unite and change people’s lives all over the world. The conference also offered panel discussions and workshops for members of the youth charters working group. We were was also responsible for summarising all the key points of discussion in the various workshops to ensure that the overall agenda of the youth charter reflected their key points.

In short, the call to action has been sounded through the conference by bringing so many people within sports for development under one roof. All that is required now is to create awareness about the charter so that the youth are empowered through sports and that they have pathways for development.

Here at Waves for Change we are doing our bit to inspire and also ensure that young leaders within communities not only have access to sport but have the power to make key decisions within the programme. This will ensure entitlement as they develop as young leaders, or should I say future programme directors, of Waves For Change. And it begins with one wave.

The other part of my trip was a four-day visit to England where i met up with supporters and shared the inspiring stories that are coming in through the programme. The trip included visits to Oxford and London with plenty of places and people to see. In the end I was inspired to do more by what I think was a very inspiring woman that I met and spent a little time with in Oxford and London. She told me ‘Do not change the world…, change one person’. It gives me great joy that the weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I just need to ensure that I inspire one young leader here at Waves for Change and my job will be done. In doing that, they will also in turn inspire others to do more. That is the power of sport.

Share: