High School students from across Sydney are invited to join Future Leaders Forum to explore climate leadership.
The forum will include talks and interactive workshops, providing opportunities for aspiring climate advocates and leaders to connect and voice new perspectives on climate change and its impacts.
Presented by Powerhouse in collaboration with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
10am Keynote with Yehansa Dahanayake
Yehansa Dahanayke, Youth climate justice advocate, activist, artist, Youth research assistant at Western Sydney University Young and Resilient Research Centre.
11am and 12.30pm Workshop Melissa Gilbert X UTS
Led by Eora-based multidisciplinary artist, educator and facilitator Melissa Gilbert, whose socially engaged practice fosters togetherness and connection, this workshop is presented in collaboration with researcher, maker and curator Dr Julia Scott-Stevenson (UTS) and Thomas Ricciardiello, Visualisation Developer at UTS Data Arena.
With the opportunity to consider their own leadership, students will use generative AI to design collective visions of desirable climate futures.
11am and 12.30pm Design Your Leadership Style
Everyone has a role to play in building a better world and in strengthening the communities we are part of. In this workshop developed by Grace Vegesana (National Director, Australian Youth Climate Coalition) and Phoebe McIlwraith (News and Current Affairs Journalist), students will explore the different roles needed for change. Are you a disruptor, a visionary, or something else entirely?
1.30pm One Mic
Students will regroup to share thoughts, reflections, ideas. Focus will be centered on a single microphone on stage where individual offerings will be shared with the whole group to close the event. Students can choose to actively participate or listen and reflect on their colleagues’ sharing.
