Creating leaders

The Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) is a unique leadership development conference that takes place in Washington DC, New York, Vienna, Budapest and Prague.

Its theme being 'The Leaders of Tomorrow preparing for the Global challenge and Responsibilities of the future," the GYLC, will allow students to interact with key leaders and newsmakers with powerful influence over politics, finance, culture and diplomacy.

Also they will take part in a carefully designed curriculum that includes thought-provoking simulations that build leadership skills.

Young Ashan Senaratne, Ranga Wimalasuriya and Himal Jayasekara have been chosen to represent Sri Lanka

Ashan & Ranga

 this time at the GYLC.

"The Modern United Nations (MUN) is held once a year. Himal and Ranga were best delegates as well. Ashan too has about three to four years of experience in the MUN. GYLC is quite similar to the MUN where they discuss similar issues."

Talking about how they got to be the chosen ones, the guys say that it wasn't easy, "The person who went last year nominated us. Plus they check our essays, school grades, extra curricular activities and leadership qualities after which they give scholarships accordingly. In short, you've got to be an 'all rounder'. Only seven scholarships are being given all over the world and we got three.

Excited about the break they got at such a young age, the three are gloating about the special events lined up for them in the United States, "we get to debate in the real security council there, visit the world bank, Empire state building, the white house and meet the representatives of the President Bush. Also we'll get to see how the stock market works.

The programme will run for two weeks of which the first week we'll be in Washington DC and the second week in New York, where we'll get to visit people and places.

According to them, the GYLC programme culminates with the global summit in which students apply what they've learnt throughout the conference as they debate, negotiate and build coalitions dealing with issues such as foreign aid, global warming, co-operative efforts in space, terrorism and human rights. Moving away from the topic of the day the three claims to have tons of other interests as well.

Ashan who's a music lover plays piano, guitar and violin for the youth orchestra, "I've taken part in singing competitions and won and I'm also in the school choir."

Having obtained four A's in London Advanced Level examination, Ashan's an active interactor who's done many projects as well. "My parents have helped me to come this far. I want to work and get some experience after which I want to do my masters."

Range who won the MTV Mega Star in 2006, is the co-founder and vice president of the school interact club.

"I'm the president of MUN in school, a member of the organising committee of the official MUN in Sri Lanka and the president of the Economic and social council (ECOSOC) as well.

I've won the award for the best delegate in 2006 at MUN. I captain the Badminton, General knowledge and the tennis teams. I've also taken part in Shakespeare drama competitions and played first eleven cricket in school. Both Ashan and I love planes which is why we completed one of the pilot training courses.

I hope to complete a degree in International relations and law, at Tufts University in George town.

We are so grateful to our families who backed us in every way and especially Goolbai Gunasekara, Principal of Asian International school, Chitrani Abeyratne, Student adviser of Ananda College, K. Grero, Principal of Lyceum International School and Yasas Thalagala for nominating us."