Global Young Leaders' Conference 2009:

My experience at this event

I was selected by my school, Lyceum International, Panadura to represent the school and my country at the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) which was held in Washington DC and New York from August 2-13.

On arrival at Washington DC the registration of scholars was followed by a seminar regarding our activities and the Faculty Advisor's (FA's) who were sort of teachers to us. After the seminar we were placed in different country groups. I was in the Bolivian country group. Later, I made my way to the Leadership Group Meeting Room (LGM Room) where all our discussions would take place during the week.

The next day we had an LGM and our FA spoke to us on the topic "Cross-Cultural Communication" - how we have to adapt our ways in communicating with different cultures. The next destination was the American University, where Professor Dr. Gary Weaver discussed the broad subject of Cross-Cultural Communication with the help of various graphical illustrations. He presented how cultures react to different cultures which they are not familiar with, how a group reacts when different people from different cultures are associated with one another and how obstacles can be overcome, if there are any.

After his lecture, we made our way to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, where many pictures were taken. After sightseeing, we returned to the hotel where another LGM for 45 minutes was held and attended a lecture given by the Policy Director, Banaa: the Sudan Educational Empowerment Network Justin Zorn.

The next day during the LGM we were briefed about the External Affairs Officer of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) David Vannier. Later on, Vannier himself explained to us about the IMF. At another LGM held later we were briefed regarding the IMF and discussed about our first of three Simulations - "The Global Village, Peace and Security and the Global Summit." I was assigned the Ambassador of my country group and given a specific room number.

The next morning, we visited the US Department of State, where we got an insider's perspective of world affairs, the Embassy of Israel, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. We had another LGM where we were briefed about the Department of State.

The following day we visited the United State Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of Natural History.

On Friday, we had a panel discussion about Women's Rights and after the discussion, I was designated a room where the simulation solution was finalised.

It was only after debating with other country groups, that we finalised a satisfactory solution. The day ended with a Cultural Exchange where all of my group friends displayed their national dress, flag, dance and various other items. We also exchanged souvenirs and sweets.

On Saturday, we moved to New York and stayed at Manhattan College for the next six days. We were given a briefing of what was to take place in the next few days by Ryan Koehler. We had our first LGM and my group and I prepared for the final and biggest simulation "The Global Summit."

On Sunday, which was a bright day, I had my first ferry ride to Ellis Island where I had the opportunity of taking photographs of the Statue of Liberty. On our way from Ellis Island we were taken to Times Square and and then to the New Amsterdam Theatre at Broadway where we watched the musical Mary Poppins. Back at Manhattan College, I had my first Commission Meeting. Two of my colleagues from my country group, Will Jager from England and Jameel Muhammed from Trinidad were placed in the commission Development. Within this commission Development, there were three sub-commissions, i.e. Foreign Aid, Food and Hunger and Economic Development. Since there were three of us, we chose a sub-commission each. I was responsible for Economic Development.

The next day, we were briefed by Mark A. Myer on how to muster the challenges of International Business in the financial world. After his address we had three

consecutive commission meetings.

On Tuesday, we visited the United Nation (UN) and was greeted by a UN Spokesperson Ms Stephanie Bunker and also by the Policy and Planning Officer of the UN Peace Keeping Operations, Bruno Donat. He showed us pictures of his expedition in Congo and many other countries where war is a major concern and how he and the UN as a whole try to settle disputes. We were also given a guided tour of the UN.

Back at Manhattan College, we had an LGM where we discussed what we were going to do at the National Delegations Rally. All country groups give a performance related to that country. My country performed a Bolivian tribal dance.

The following day, we returned to the UN where an entire hall was allocated for the GYLC scholars to finalise the final simulation "The Global Summit." Each country gave their positive and negative ideas for each commission and there were a few debates as well. The Chairperson and other members were elected by us.The day before our departure, we had a farewell dinner cruise on "Spirit of New Jersey". I got the opportunity to sail beneath the Statue of Liberty and watch the Empire State building light up the sky. Certificates were awarded on the last day.

The GYLC experience was exciting, I gained a lot of knowledge from this conference.

Perhaps, some of you too may get an opportunity to represent your school at the GYLCs in the future.

N. D. Michael Cooray,

Lyceum International School,

Panadura.