A Youth PLACE Leader writes about attending the Leadership World Café in Toronto
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” – Albert Einstein
The most effective part of our trip to Toronto was returning back home with huge lessons – the trip had a major impact on me and my understandings of my society and left very unsettled heavy emotions on me. This was truly the best and meaningful time in 2018 for me.
This trip has broadened my skills as a Youth PLACE leader as it has improved my leadership skills to think deeply, expand my point of view, raise important questions in my surroundings, and discuss possible solutions in a safe, comfortable environment that will allow encouraged and open-minded conversations. I will always work to my very best to become a very purposeful and active leader of Youth PLACE. This trip has been such a beneficial resource to my project that I am presenting to Youth PLACE to raise awareness around social justice issues such as equality. This was an enormous benefit I gained from the trip and I am beyond thankful for the opportunity.
Our arrival at Frontlines (an organization for youths to come together in a safe environment) was valuable for me because I learned from many life stories that were shared amongst twenty different individuals. Our discussion was so heavy and deep and I was able to understand different points of views other than my own. I realized how in that short amount of time, we never really knew each other but we were willing to share many of our life experiences because we felt safe and comfortable. I learned way more about the individuals in my group than I ever have.
During the time at Frontlines, we decided to have a random little cypher of just sharing poems and threw in what we had. When it was time to share my spoken word piece, I started by apologizing because I thought my piece wasn’t that great. It was the advice of Livy (you can check out his Instagram account @kingxol95) that made me realize to never apologize before a performance and to do it with confidence. I very much appreciate it, Livy!
Our time together was the best we had very great endless moments together. I would say that my top 5 favourite moments would have to be:
- Trying a macaroon for the first time ever at the Yorkdale mall, the taste was extravagant. At the mall, Lul pulled up before we left and gave me a gift. I was so happy and we got to talk more and taste more food. Lul is a Torontonian youth that I have met at Frontlines (you can follow her Instagram account @abstractvibes)
- At the Airbnb place we rented, the living room turned into a venue for large group conversations regarding many topics. During dinner time, everyone had turns sharing their first impressions – that was really heart touching and hilarious!
- When Carissa’s mom brought Louie over and I was trying to be friends with the cutest dog in the world!
- Rich Belle and I became friends. She is a very amazing person and I remind her of her boyfriend, in a good way of course.
- And lastly, the flights to and from Toronto – because my parents were not there, but my friends were! ❤️
I really loved our Toronto trip. If there was one thing I could change, it would definitely be the timing. I wish we stayed longer.
–B
