Well UMAT's over. so i should really get into writing this blog entry about sydney. before i forget things!

It was a six day summit held at the university of sydney. 

But what was it exactly?

It's actually quite hard to describe, i've realized.

According to the website.. "The Brightest Young Minds (BYM) Foundation is an initiative that attracts young people that are passionate about exploring, demonstrating and implementing ideas and alternative solutions to the current problems confronting humanity. BYM’s mission is to channel the hearts and minds of young people into initiatives that can affect societal improvement."

For me? BYM gave me the opportunity to meet people who are passionate about change and passionate about making a difference in society. It gave me a chance to hear some really inspiring speakers - Hugh Evans (CEO of Global Poverty Project), Steve Persson (CEO of The Big Issue magazine) and even those who started from young such as Anna Rose (Founder of Australian Youth Climate Coalition)

These speakers were amazing.To learn about the heart behind these big organisations - to the people behind it - to hear their about the hard times they went through - to hear about the accomplishments and breakthroughs they made - to hear about their story.

The most inspiring story of all came from Trevor. Trevor is a vendor for the The Big Issue magazine. Yup, one of those guys you walk past on your way to work, in their yellow fluro jackets selling this magazine called The Big Issue. He told us about his life story. How he was abused by his step father when he was a kid to the point where he couldn't handle it anymore - and there was no help to be found... so he left home when he was 15. He got tied up into the world of drugs. And his life spiralled downwards. One part of his story that I am continously reminded of was when he told us that one day he stepped into a church. He went in a broken man. But came out a changed man. But where was this homeless man to go? Who would hire someone who use to be a drug addict? 

Steve, the CEO of The Big Issue told us how their organisation aims to provide opportunity - without judgement. Can you imagine how relieved Trevor felt, knowing that he was given a chance. 130 writers contribute to this magazine at different times... vendors purchase it for $2.50 and sell it for $5, therefore keeping $2.50 as their form of income. You know, hearing these two guys speak really changed my perspective of things. It really made me respect the vendors more. I always would walk past them - sometimes even purposely avoiding eye contact. But now I've realized that they all have their own story. I don't know how they got there, but I am reminded that some things were beyond their control - whether it be a disability or abuse in their homes... it all can lead to homelessness... and they still deserve a chance, and I'm so glad that The Big Issue has provided that opportunity for them to work in such a way. 

And it's amazing to hear that beyond that, there are so many economical benefits that arise from such an organisation - the cost of a homeless person (on demands of services of health etc) are reduced to 1/3... And I love how this organisation goes far beyond what I'd expect, they realized that despite being equal number of men and women who are homeless, a vast majority of their vendors are men. Where were the women? What I really admire about Steve is that he's not just some big CEO in a nice fancy suit... he goes onto the street. He meets and talks to vendors - no, not for the "image" like julia gillard might do... but so he knows what's really going on. He found out that women don't feel safe on the street selling magazines - that they are easy targetted victims... So what did he do about? No, not nothing.

He provided another avenue for homeless women to sell The Big Issue. The magazine now sits in several libraries and schools and companies around Australia due to the work of homeless women.

I like it. How this organisation found an issue - the increase in the number of homeless people - and the effect that has on our economy. Found a way to solve it - by providing a way to empower homeless people to help themselves. Kept refining it - realizing flaws and issues that were still ongoing - and creating new avenues and pathways to solve those issues. And even had a bit of fun into their work.

Meeting Hugh Evans was another highlight - especially as he started the Make Poverty History campaign. You could see the passion he had for this issue of poverty... and I think I gained a better understanding that these organisations are actually very well prepared. They do a lot of research. They do a lot of work to make sure that the money they recieve is used efficiently. I know that some people dislike giving to charities because a percentage goes to admin fees etc etc.. and they use that a deterrent to not give. because they think it's not going to good use..

For me though, I've realized that... If I give $10 to a charity. And that charity uses $2 of that to fund research and planning so that the other $8 I give is not just for "short term" benefits... but is invested into projects and funds that have really good long term benefits and going to needs that ARE actually needs for the community - not just what we sometimes percieve as needs. Rather than having my whole $10 given to a project that is not well planned, not well thought out and doesn't have any long term benefits.

One of the speakers who organised a rebuilding of a whole town (after the victorian bushfires) reminded me that too often we give people what we think they need. And don't stop to ask them what they really need. For example, for a fire struck town we might decide to donate blankets and warm clothing...... but then EVERYONE decides to donate blankets and warm clothing. That the town no longer needs more blankets and warm clothing! But instead they need other simple things like laundry powder or toys for their kids. It's important to know the needs of others - and not just what we think they need.

But you know the summit wasn't all about listening to speakers. We were given the opportunity to further our own ideas for community projects. 

The Market Place: Delegates were given the opportunity to present 45 ideas that were given 60 seconds each to give the rest of delegates a general idea of their project... Open Space: 5 sessions with 9 ideas in a different room each session.. for the founder of those ideas to promote their idea in greater detail and share their vision with the other delegates. Voting & Self Selection then took place, to narrow down the 45 ideas to just 8... which would be developed even further.

Two days, inbetween speakers and functions, delegates joined the group they felt most resonated with them. The group worked on devoping these initiatives - from an idea to an actual project. The rush to have a presentation ready to pitch to sponsors and a judging panel. The group who won would recieve $1000 towards getting their project up and running... and the top three would recieve mentorships to assist in starting up their projects.

What happened? That's for another blog me thinks....

during my time at the social justice workshops that church held, i decided to partner with TEAR as a financial supporter for the Lydia's List project

I've always usually been one who donates my time / effort but lately I've found myself bogged down with uni, work, umat, life in general that I haven't really picked up that many commitments as I use to.

But you know, now that i've been working at Vodafone, I've been earning a pretty decent income. Much of this has gone into savings for a new car... another portion to my expenses (which has also increased as my income increase)

So with the realization of the amount of money I waste on food at broadway or on pointless presents for my boyfriend or on online shopping...

how can i not spare at least some of what i earn for someone who needs it so much more?

I really like the lydia's list because it's focus in on women and i think that it's so true how by helping women you help their family too. "Women in developing countries invest up to 90 percent of their income in their families."

So today in the mail I recieved a Welcome to Lydia's List" letter and a cute little bag tag. It reminded me of fair trade products and how I use to walk all the way to the Oxfam shop to look around. Might need to make that trip again, sometime after exams.

And you know, it's the little things that we can do that can make such a difference to someone else...

So to finish this blog entry, I'll leave you with a story of how TEAR Australia is supporting women in India, Nepal and Bangladesh