LECTURES AND TALKS
experience and was a true highlight of the calendar . Moreover , to have Andrew draw comparisons between our own work as IB students with that of great artists written down in history books was the greatest of compliments , which I am sure will drive many in their artistic futures – maybe one day he will write a book about one of us !
Luana van Oranje , Upper Sixth
CLIMATE REALITY : ALI SYMONS
Ali Symons ( OS 1998 ) has worked in environmental consulting and international development and in recent years has become a grassroots ’ climate activist . She is a Climate Reality Leader trained by former US Vice President Al Gore and The Climate Reality Project , and we were delighted to welcome her back to Sevenoaks .
She delivered workshops to Year 8 and the Sixth Form on social justice issues including racial , economic and democracy matters connected with the climate crisis . Later she gave a lecture to a wider audience on the subject ‘ Climate Reality – developing empowerment to take effective action ’.
It is not easy to present the complex topic of climate change , but Ali approached the subject with enthusiasm and knowledge . Often in discussions about the climate crisis , the focus is on individual elements – how one region of the world is affected or contributing too much . However , Ali managed to focus on both the macro and micro scale . She spoke about how the climate crisis affects ethnic minorities and poorer Americans the most , and how democracy is failing them . Ali then described her journey as a civil rights activist , inspiring students who intend on taking similar paths to protest and call for better government legislation . Furthermore , she stressed one of the most critical things that young people can do to fight against the climate crisis : vote .
She spoke powerfully to the Pamoja Hall audience about the reality of the situation we find ourselves in . Despite President Biden rejoining the Paris agreement , what difference has it made ? To what extent does our vote matter , when major oil corporations can get ruinous oil drilling projects , such as the Willow Project , through government ? These questions are critical not only to inspiring individual activists , but also in mass mobilisation – if enough people support and fight for climate-friendly policies , then they will get passed through democratic nations , with states such as the USA , Canada , European Union countries and the UK being among the largest CO2 emitters per capita .
Overall , it was a very inspiring evening outlining the problems of social and climate injustice , but more crucially demonstrating a clear path for action , working within existing systems , to better the planet and humanity .
Katie Willis , Upper Sixth
CONFLICT RESOLUTION THROUGH BUILDING TRUST : DR AMJAD MOHAMED SALEEM
From old photos from his time at Sevenoaks to current experiences regarding cultural identity , Dr Amjad Mohamed Saleem ( OS 1996 ) drew on first-hand encounters to show how through building trust , conflict can be mitigated and even resolved . But in terms of understanding the issue in relation to our own lives , he asked us to reflect on our choices , and recognise that everyone ’ s experiences – and therefore views – are divergent , to guide us on a journey of self-observation .
12 ACADEMIC REVIEW