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Youth Leadership: Integrity in the post truth era

Held on the 20th Aug 2019

at 6pm to
7:30pm


Add to Calendar 2019-08-20 18:00:00 2019-08-20 19:30:00 Australia/Sydney Youth Leadership: Integrity in the post truth era

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In recent years, global leadership has been characterised by ‘post-truth’ politics, where facts and evidence-based arguments are less influential than appeals to emotion and personal belief. The notion of integrity in leadership is, however, an important constant which can bridge the gap between evidence and emotion. Youth leadership is a modern phenomenon that has arisen from the perception that mainstream leadership and status quo politics do not pay sufficient regard to young voices and often do not act in the interests of youth. Detractors argue that young voices lack understanding and maturity and are overly influenced by their significant adults.

At this forum, four youth leaders will represent a diversity of approaches to a range of issues. The forum will explore the importance of integrity in leadership and the capacity of youth leadership to influence wider social debates and outcomes.

About the panellists

  • Toby Thorpe

Photo of Toby ThorpeToby is a 17-year-old climate activist and changemaker. Toby has grown up in the Huon Valley in the far south of Tasmania surrounded by lush green wildlife and fauna and some of the most breathable air in the world. His father, working in the forestry industry, lost his job during the Tasmania Forestry Agreement which forced his family to move interstate so his father could work in the mining industry. Toby’s community also experienced devastating bushfires this year, and overall these are increasing in duration, intensity and frequency because of climate change. From these two events, Toby realised that things needed to change - they needed to be fairer and we needed to stand in solidarity together. His work as an environmentalist goes beyond protecting the environment but recognising the injustices of our systems and the opportunities climate change offers to create a more peaceful world and equal system. He fights for change, but in a just way, and he stands behind those on the frontlines to bring the voices of the vulnerable to the front.

  • Shaima Adinah

Photo of Shaima AdinahShaima Adinah is a 19 year old student in Grade 13 at Launceston College. She was born in Afghanistan in a small village and raised in Ghazni city. When she was in grade six her family decided to flee to Iran as there was no security in Afghanistan. She came to Australia with her mother and her three brothers in 2016.

She has understood the need to take responsibility and has demonstrated leadership capacity from a young age. As a leading student in her class in Afganistan, she was always the deputy to the teacher which involved supporting roles including calling the roll, helping the students with their homework and participating in the staff meetings.

In Launceston, Shaima volunteers at City Park Radio Afghan Youth program as a Presenter and team leader. She enjoys bushwalking, was a panellist at MRC Tasmania, was a volunteer at Harmony Day and is involved in many Afghan community celebrations. She is driven to help people and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

  • Lachlan Hindrum

Photo of Lachlan HindrumLachlan is currently in year 12 at Launceston College and is planning on going to UTAS next year to study Medical Research with a view to a possible career in emergency medicine or paramedicine. From an early age, Lachlan has been active in the Scout movement which has led to leadership roles and awards, including Australian Scout Medallion and The Australian Defence Force – Long-tan Youth leadership Award. He has been involved in strengthening the focus on leadership in the Tasmanian scouts organisation. 

Through opportunities provided by scouts, he realised his passion for emergency response and has become heavily involved in St John Ambulance. He has represented Tasmania in the St John National Competitions and won the National Champion Individual Section (only two Tasmanians have one this award in its 51 years). He mentors and promotes self-improvement in younger members of the organisation as well as assisting in organising St John operations at major events such as Party in the Paddock and Falls Festival. Earlier this year Lachlan was part of the strategic crew that supported the community of New Norfolk during the fires, volunteering over 300 hours and was acknowledged for his efforts at Government House. In the last 12 months Lachlan had generated over 800 volunteer hours with St John alone, not including his volunteer hours as State Branch Council for Venture Scouts. His commitment to community and dedication to create a better and healthier environment was acknowledged by St Johns and the Launceston City Council during the recent volunteer week celebrations.

  • Clare Munnings

Photo of Clare MunningsClare Munnings is in grade 12 at Scotch Oakburn College and has lived in Tasmania for the last 5 years. She is the Round Square Chair of Scotch Oakburn College. Round Square is an internationally diverse network of 200 like-minded schools in 50 countries on six continents that connect and collaborate to offer world-class programmes and experiences, developing global competence, character and confidence in students. Round Square students are encouraged to challenge themselves, try new things, and to consider their place in society – both locally and globally. As Round Square Chair, Claire runs committee meetings and assemblies, leads discussion on topical issues, runs fundraisers and forums, partnering with external organisations. Issues of focus recently have included climate change, mental health, artificial intelligence, gender, abortion, massacres and gun law. Claire values the forum Round Square provides to enable people with different world views to come together to discuss issues facing the global community and the local communities within it. Claire is also part of the Student Executive Cohort at Scotch Oakburn. She is a talented musician and enjoys the outdoors.

Facilitated by Professor Richard Eccleston, Director, Institute for the Study of Social Change.

Refreshments from 5.30pm.

Institute for the Study of Social Change LogoLogo of the Tamar Valley Peace Festival