Written by: Jiwon Cyhn
Photographs by: Jiwon Cyhn
A first school trip out of the country is always enthralling and invigorating, whether it be for sports, music, or MUN. On 7 November 2013, I, with six other people, boarded a plane with twenty specks of glitter against the black velvet. 3 A.M. It took us to Beijing, China, the legendary land of red oriental characters as swift as bamboo cutting the air, for a GIN conference hosted by International School of Beijing (ISB).
GIN stands for Global Issues Network. It had been established in Europe about 10 years ago and now has over 500 schools as members. The GIN gathers students to discuss important issues, such as “Education for All” and “A Massive Step up in the Fight Against Poverty”. For this GIN conference, over 200 students from international schools attended from various places within Asia.
The ISM representatives focused on five different topics: “A Massive Step-up in the Fight Against Poverty”, “Education for all”, “Peacekeeping, Conflict Prevention, Combat Terrorism” and “Water Deficits”. Through GIN, we learned more about the world we live in and how we can help those in need.
Our official GIN conference day started off with a keynote speaker, Luka Lesson, who used his poems to “develop a power of expression”, especially for young children. Afterwards, we had to choose which workshop, a group activity dealing with international issues, we wanted to be in; we involved in six workshops in the three days. On the first day, I chose a workshop dealing with my issue, poverty. It was amazing. The people were very passionate, and very friendly. We started to discuss on the topic spontaneously and contributed ideas to eradicate poverty. We also did a mini simulation that made us reflect on the different circumstances that each country had. There was a significant difference in every country. As a parting quote, the teacher told us: “It is not a lack of compassion; it is the lack of action”.
After a few more workshops and a meeting with our GANG (Global Action Network Group), which was a get-to-know-each other session, there was an option to either go watch a concert or a movie. The movie was very interesting and discussed three girls’ stories—each in very different circumstances (mining in Mexico and forced marriages in Afghanistan). There was a talent show, which was amazing– there were so many delegates with so much skill. One that especially stuck to me was a song that had a symbol of an elephant and him because they both carried heavy loads. He was an elephant because of all the textbooks and academic pressure.
The following day, we listened to a keynote speaker, Keith Schneider, who discussed food, energy and resource scarcity with our growing population. It provided a spark for a lot of people and made us really think about; what we have will have; what we wasted, and what we will waste.
There was another inspirational keynote speaker, Linda Ragsdale, the following day. She was shot by terrorists while she was on a trip to meditate in Chennai, India. She talked about the Peace Dragons, which was founded in honor of a fallen girl who had wanted Ragsdale to draw a dragon for her. Ragsdale discussed how peace was a universal thing and that everyone should forgive. The audience was hushed and captivated by her words, and her goodness.
On last day of GIN, we did a physically social activity called JUMP. One of the activities was called “The Cappuccino”; two people had to hold on to each other’s ankles and pretend to drink coffee with the other hand. Thankfully, my partner was amiable, which made the experience less embarrassing.
As parting words, we were to whisper a word we loved, like strength, to our cupped fist and threw it to the air. The 200 delegations, each with their own story, own future, own person, all cupped their hands over their mouth and whispered intently. We all, without a word, raised our arms and let the words mix together in the air and fade upwards.
The serenity was broken when someone had crudely announced that the GIN conference was over and that we had to go find our school. The seven of us met outside and took one last picture in front of ISB, this time as a bonded delegation rather than our first try as a group of awkward people travelling together. I realize how potent we are. Before the conference, I was very skeptical that I as an individual could actually make a significant difference. What could one single person, someone without the proper expenses, without proper connections, do? This GIN conference changed this perception—after seeing so many people ready to step up and take action, empowered me. I was really impressed with an urge for action from one of the keynote speakers; he said, “instead of looking at dramatic picture posters of children who say they are from Africa but probably aren’t even African, focus on something small in your place.”
And so this is what the ISM delegation departed with and will do. The GIN conference was over. All the tension, all the stress about the conference– everything was over when the airplane touched down and gradually halted. Back in the Philippines. I am very proud to say that I was part of the Beijing GIN conference in 2013, along with KC Keppler, Jess Caudro, Adelle Dimitui, Tomas Matias, Paulo Alvarez, and Ms. Paul. We shared the valuable experience of delving further into global issues whilst hearing profession, varying and interesting points of view– something that is quite rare. I am also proud to say we laughed so loudly together, we became even more known. I think we represented ISM pretty well; it was an experience we will never forget.
