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USC bright minds work to change world
28 July 2010
A 22-year-old Sippy Downs student who has seen the lack of privileges in places like Borneo, Croatia and Zimbabwe hopes the outcomes of a recent Australian youth summit will literally help change the world.
Chelsea Hopkins-Allan, who is nearing the end of her Environmental Science degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, was one of 100 people selected for the Brightest Young Minds (BYM) Foundation summit in Sydney.
She joined fellow USC student Michael Hanisch, 24, of Coolum Beach, at the six-day summit featuring some of the nation’s movers and shakers aged 18-28.
Delegates were selected for attributes including leadership, passion, creativity, initiative, intelligence, charisma, communication and perseverance.
Chelsea said the summit showed how young people could become ethical leaders in their fields and launch social, environmental and humanitarian initiatives.
“It was the greatest experience,” she said. “I want to make a difference because the way we’re managing the world is so inefficient and it’s going to cause even more suffering.
“A billion little choices have got us here so a billion little choices can take us to a better place with happier people, safer and stronger communities, and a more beautiful environment with clean water, plentiful food and fresh air.”
“Through my USC degree I’ve learnt that all systems are connected and we can’t solve environmental problems in isolation,” said Chelsea, who hopes to work in emergency management and is doing an industry placement at Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
Both she and Michael, who is studying Regional and Urban Planning at USC, said the summit taught the value of teamwork in improving society.
They networked among high profile executives from the Australian Tax Office, Tourism Australia and Google Australia and participated in pitches and project development.
The USC students are continuing their involvement in some of the final initiatives judged most likely to succeed.
These include an interactive website that connects charities and businesses for mutual benefit. Charities can list “wishes” for the consideration of donors.
Another is “Launch Pad”, a project to provide low-cost sanitary products for women in developing countries, starting in Sierra Leone.
Michael, who works at Coast firm Adams Sparkes Town Planning & Development, said he learnt about mentorship, grants, consulting and business image.
“I had opportunities to contribute my knowledge in relation to development and land use, such as how young people can be marginalised by poor design in urban or rural towns,” he said.
Chelsea urged other USC students to apply for the 2011 Brightest Young Minds summit at www.bym.com.au.
– Julie Gatehouse