By Abid Virani
Each and everyday, educational institutions welcome guest speakers to share their knowledge with students. Speakers range dramatically, from young determined activists to former politicians turned humanitarian. Students should take every opportunity to listen to these speakers “not only to hear them, but also listen to them.
It is vital, in this day and age, for students to gain an understanding of multiple perspectives. Although a speaker may not intrigue you “they may be too right wing or left wing“ it is still a valuable experience to listen to them. By doing so, students are better prepared to understand their own beliefs and perspectives.
Occasionally, there is an outlet that consistently shows various perspectives. Speak Up for Change not only addresses hundreds of issues, from literacy to technology, but it is also one of the many outlets of knowledge that cannot be ignored. On October 23 - 24, another outlet for students was available in Oakville, Ontario.
Fatmire Feka, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Founder of Kids Club for Peace, is amongst the list. There are best-selling authors, CEOs and Presidents of non-profit organizations. Organizations represented include Student Reach International, Nelson Mandela's Children Fund, Gender Equality Incorporated, Opportunity International Canada and Habitat for Humanity. The conference is called, "Why Everything Must Change".
How fortunate we are to be a drive away from such knowledge and experience. Let us never doubt the powerful impact of, not hearing, but listening. Let us always remember that our ability to listen and learn is perhaps the strongest weapon in our arsenal for a making positive and lasting change in this world.
As youth in Kosovo, we worked hard. We didn’t change the world, nor did we change our country, but we did have an impact on our communities, on our peers, and we did plant a powerful seed of hope in people’s hearts.
- Fatmire Feka, in her keynote address at WEMC 2008
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