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....

The Sydney Journey

The past 10 days has consisted of little sleep, long days, new friends and lots of shopping.

My trip to Sydney begun on a Tuesday morning. Ken picked me up and straight to DFO we went! No time wasted, shopping was definitely on the top of the list of priorities. I’ve been to Sydney before, especially when I was on YOTY tour and did all the “tourist-y” things. I wasn’t interested in the museum, art gallery, library, zoo etc. I wanted to shop. I wanted to eat. I wanted to not be a tourist. Yet still enjoy all the normal everyday things Sydney has to offer.

Shopping was actually pretty good. Despite Ken trying to pay for my things, he was actually really helpful. He helped find sizes on the racks. He helped look through piles of clothes for designs. And every time he help up a shirt or a shoe and I said “nah it’s too _________”, he actually remembered all the things I didn’t like to find something that I did. Quite amazing for a guy I thought. Very handy shopping buddy.

For dinner we headed to Strathfield for some Korean BBQ. Then off we went to Tamara’s place in Double Bay. It was quite a nice / fancy suburb. 

 Wednesday, Ken came over and we went for a short walk around the suburb. It’s such a pretty place. There was this cool wharf thingo with a view of the city and lots of nice boats around. 

 Then we headed into town. Dim Sum in China Town for brunch, Paddy’s markets and into the heart of Sydney for more shopping. Market City was interesting. Some awesome stuff there for good prices. Grabbed some take away asian for dinner (porridge & duck with rice) and went back to Tamara’s to eat.

Next day, Ken picked me up and we were meant to head somewhere (I forgot where) but basically we got lost and somehow ended up going down this long stretch of road (that was on the way to the airport) that had no exists. So we ended up just deciding to go to Bankstown or Campbelltown or something like that – I don’t remember exactly the name of the suburb. We had lunch at this cool Sportsbar thing that had some pretty gardens inside and a variety of different restaurants. We then went hunting for my mum’s asian cake moulds which was way more difficult than I was hoping. 

 

Dropped by the “Italian Forum” which is like this place which is surrounded by apartments and has little restaurants and ice-cream parlours – and it looks just like Italy (well, at least looks like what I would think Italy would look like). Grabbed some icecream. Got a parking fine (whoops). Went to USyd to check out where I’d be spending the next week. It’s quite an old school look uni. Ken took me around. Got some pretty pictures. Sat down in the library and talked for a while. 

Then headed to Darling Harbor for dinner. Was lining up for some fancy Italian restaurant but then gave up because it was taking too long and I didn’t want to be home too late. Ended up getting Aportos! My first time! It reminds me of nandos haha. Then we went home and said our final goodbyes.

 It was really good to catch up with Ken while I was in Sydney. I hadn’t seen him in 2 years. He’s a real gentleman, the kind of guy who opens the car door for you, pays for all your meals / things, checks if you are okay quite often. Now as much as that is sweet, I sorta kept having to tell him to not. “Dude, I can open the door myself”, “STOP paying for my stuff, you’re more broke than me!”, “I am FINEE, I just make funny noises at random times”. It’s not surprising to hear how his past girlfriends have been using him somewhat – he’s such a pushover, the poor boy.

 Friday, I slept in. Was contemplating whether I should stay at home and rest but I got bored so ended up finding my way to the train station (which NO ONE told me was UPHILL btw!) and took it to Bondi Junction for some more shopping! My arms ached by the end because I wasn’t use to having to carry them (since Ken had been stealing them for me). It was a massive Westfield! Did even more shopping. Yup, definitely overdid the shopping this trip haha. Not as bad as I have done before, but still.

 Saturday Alvin picked me up from Tamara’s. And I moved into his apartment at Bondi Junction (it was soooo coooool). Then we headed out to town for lunch – Ramen at this Japanese place in a food court in China Town. One of Alvin’s friends had recommended it. The soup was really thick (but it’s meant to be like that) – tasty though. 

 Then we went to watch WEST SIDE STORY! My first musical! It was better than I would expect from a musical. Alvin says Wicked is really really good so I’m quite tempted to go (tickets are just soooooo expensive ~ eeek).

 Then I met one of Alvin’s friends and went back to the apartment to get ready for dinner. And we went to this nice Italian restaurant in Newtown and met more of Alvin’s friends.

And that was the first 5 days! The summit began Sunday. But that’s for another blog.

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Btw, I’ve been writing this on the plane (arghh such a long plane ride! 5 whole hours)

check out the awesome views from this apartment i'm crashing at :)

ahh sydney!

went to dfo yesterday (and spent lotsaa moneyy already!! on my first dayy T__T) and then for korean bbq for dinner. yums!

so far it's been good :) it's been nice catching up with ken. haven't seen him in two years. he's being such a gentleman though, trying to pay for my stuff and always holding my bags and opening the door etc.. it's sweet but geeeeeeeeez i do have my own hands lol man, people must look at us and think that i am such an abuser but it's not my fault T__T

had a good night sleep last night too haha. was pretty tired from the early morning flight.

anyways we're going to go exploring today! so i better get ready :)