Student promotes culture at Commonwealth meet

Youth & Careers

Thirty student leaders from Commonwealth countries including a student from the Divine Word University, attended the Young Leadership Conference in Malaysia recently.
The conference organised by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), was hosted by the Heriot-Watt University of Malaysia.
Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands countries were represented by student ambassador Bilu Kasanda, a second-year student at DWU.
“I was given the opportunity to stand in front of the Commonwealth Young Leaders across the world to give a brief introduction to PNG Culture and they were surprised to hear that we have more than 800 different languages and cultures which makes us so unique in the whole world,” he said.
“As part of the campaign in cultural intelligence and cultural diplomacy, I went on to explain the objects that resemble or symbolise our culture, pride, wealth, values, leadership and its importance to the people of PNG.
“I look forward to implement what I have learnt to inspire the young generations to be more respectful and have a clear understanding to absorb intelligence.
“In the conference, I learnt that many countries in Africa, Middle East and Europe still don’t know Papua New Guinea and they urged the Government to establish diplomatic relations for possible future trade and economic prosperity and to share different cultural values to promote respect, tolerance, peace, harmony and make our world more inclusive.
“They also acknowledged multi-cultural ethnicity that we have and said they would like to visit PNG in the future.”
Dr Joanna Newman, the chief executive and secretary-general of the ACU, said the Commonwealth was a fantastic framework for dialogue, engagement, and exchange across borders, cultures and faiths.
“The diversity of our members, and their willingness to cooperate, inspired a very special campaign on the role of universities in promoting mutual respect and understanding between people of different faiths, beliefs and cultures,” she said.
“While gathering dozens of case studies and encouraging more than 350 individuals and institutions to sign up to a statement of shared values, we decided to convene student leaders to learn from each other and develop practical means to promote respect and understanding in their institutions and communities.
“We are committed to supporting these remarkable students’ journeys as they go back home to drive positive social change.”
The students’leaders got together to develop their skills, work towards a shared goal of creating a fairer, more inclusive society, and cultivate innovative solutions to promote respect and understanding.