Voices for Change, Hope for the Future

The World Vision Conference opened my eyes to issues occurring beyond the world I experience every day. The conference helped students understand the realities faced by people living in developing countries, where access to clean water, education, clothing, food, and employment is often limited. These are necessities that many New Zealanders take for granted each day.

Throughout the conference, we participated in activities designed to help us better understand global inequality. One activity involved a peg game where students searched for pegs hidden around the room, each representing different resources and opportunities. Although there were enough pegs for everyone, not every participant received one. This demonstrated how many people around the world have little control over the opportunities available to them, while those who are more fortunate do not always share essential resources such as food, water, shelter, and education.

One of the most engaging parts of the conference was hearing Mike McRoberts speak about his experiences reporting overseas during times of war and poverty. One story that had a particularly strong impact on me was when he visited Gaza and met a young girl with a severely injured leg. Rather than focusing solely on his role as a reporter, he chose to put humanity first and helped take the girl to hospital, as they were among the only people willing to assist her. As a result, she received surgery that saved both her leg and ultimately her life. This story showed me the importance of compassion and helping others whenever possible.

Overall, the conference changed the way I view the world and made me reflect on how fortunate I am. It inspired me to want to support people living in much harsher conditions than my own. Even simple actions, such as participating in the 40 Hour Famine, can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Written by Caitlyn Vazey 12TGW

Attending the World Vision Conference was an inspiring and eye-opening experience. Throughout the day, there were group discussions and activities focused on important global issues such as poverty, inequality, access to education, and creating positive change within communities around the world. The overall aim of the conference was to encourage young people to become informed, compassionate leaders who are willing to take action and make a difference in the future.

One of the highlights for me was listening to the guest speakers who had visited the countries they were speaking about. Many had volunteered overseas, worked as activists, or used online platforms and media to raise awareness about global issues and share real experiences from the communities they visited. Hearing these firsthand stories made the conference feel far more meaningful and authentic, while also giving me a deeper understanding of the realities many people face every day. Some speakers shared stories about families living in poverty who were forced to make heartbreaking decisions, such as choosing between feeding their children or providing them with an education.

We also had the opportunity to create a pitch encouraging people to get involved in the 40 Hour Challenge. It was inspiring to see the creativity and effort students put into their ideas, with some groups from different schools even performing their pitches on stage in front of everyone. Seeing so many students confidently sharing meaningful ideas and encouraging others to support an important cause was a memorable part of the experience.

Written by Hanin Al Kak 12KKN