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On the road to Davos
By Angela Lee
A 16-year-old honour student from Vancouver Technical Secondary is the only Canadian selected to attend a world youth think-tank next month, thanks to her You-Tube style video application.
Eleventh-grader Lauren Law competed against 130 young leaders from different countries for a spot at “Road to Davos: Greenwich Forum 2008” in Surrey, England Jan 14-19, 2008.
Candidates filmed themselves challenging world leaders on an issue of choice, and offered solutions.
Law targeted corporations who foster materialism in teens with their aggressive marketing campaigns.
The British Council in Switzerland chose 60 international students in all to attend the conference.
Once in England, the teens form teams of six to address a variety of global issues, which can range from the environment and health to discrimination.
The six with the strongest proposal will table their concerns at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Jan 23-29.
Besides being a Straight-A student, Law, who was raised in a single-parent household, is an active environmentalist, a Duke of Edinburgh award winner, a past British Council delegate to the Greening Cities conference in London, an athlete, an avid volunteer and an amateur actor.
“I am absolutely delighted by Lauren Law’s selection and very proud that Canada is being represented by someone so extraordinarily accomplished,” says Martin Rose, Director of British Council Canada.
APP: Do you feel the burden of representing Canada at Greenwich 2008?
Law: Not really. I don’t think the whole of Canada knows I’m going!
APP: Why did you get involved with the forum?
Law: I wanted to meet elite people and world leaders and spend time with other youths who’ve accomplished a lot in life.
They must have some amazing ideas on how to tackle world issues.
APP: Why should teens bother aiming high in life?
Law: I’ve had some adults tell me they don’t care what happens to the environment, and that it’s up to our generation to make a change in this world.
If kids don’t aim high, we end up being just like those adults around today.
APP: What’s your proudest achievement?
Law: I’m most proud of how I was raised by my mom, and how I view the world.
To me, what’s important is the environment and being a humble person. It’s all about what you love, and when you pursue it, the achievements come along with it. It’s something my Uncle David says.
APP: What are you looking forward to most in England?
Law: Just meeting other youths. This summer I went to London [for the Greening Cities conference]. It was so interesting meeting people of different cultures.
It kind of made me want to go into politics or international relations or UN work. Everyone’s so different; it’s our love for the same thing, our passion, that is the thread that holds us together.
APP: What role do you usually take in a team setting - leader, peacekeeper or Devil’s advocate?
Law: I’m a control freak so I’ll usually take the leader role. That’s my downfall! I can be flexible, but I kind of like to do things my own way.
The British Council is the UK’s agency for international cultural relations. Info: www.britishcouncil.org/canada.htm.
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