Two Curtin University students have been awarded prestigious Global Voices scholarships to represent Australia on the world stage for important discussions on climate change and gender equality.
Curtin Medical School student Jayde Frank, aged 19, will attend the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March 2019 and Curtin Bachelor of Science (Coastal and Marine Science) student Joel Wynhorst, aged 20, will attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Poland in December 2018.
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Professor Jill Downie congratulated the Curtin students on being awarded the prestigious Global Voices scholarships.
“The Global Voices scholarships give students the opportunity to offer their insights into high-level international delegations that are examining some of the world’s most pressing issues,” Professor Downie said.
“Both Jayde and Joel will play an important role in providing a youth perspective to the global issues of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and climate change in the context of the landmark Paris Agreement.”
Ms Frank, who is in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery, said she was excited for the opportunity to learn from gender equality change-makers and develop skills to create change herself.
“I have a keen interest in global and women’s health and in the future I hope to be able to achieve a position in medical leadership and use this to further the representation of women and their rights,” she said.
“This opportunity to attend the UN Commission on the Status of Women will be an important one to help me achieve this goal by providing me with the networks, skills and experiences to empower other women and role model gender equality in my own community.”
Mr Wynhorst, who is in his final year at Curtin, said he was passionate about helping to ensure the continual growth and development of human civilisation in a sustainable manner.
“I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity by Curtin University and Global Voices to attend the United Nations climate talks in Poland, to present an innovative solution to the global climate change crisis,” Mr Wynhorst said.
“Such an opportunity is invaluable to fulfilling one my life goals; to have a significant positive impact on the livelihoods and welfare of international communities who may suffer from the potential impacts of climate change.”
In addition to attending the respective international conferences, both Curtin students also joined 12 other young Australians at a three-day pre-departure briefing in Canberra, where they met with Australian Government officials, senior academics and policy experts.
Global Voices is a not-for profit organisation that is committed to nurturing the next generation of Australian leaders by providing practical experience in foreign policy and international relations.
Since its establishment in 2011, more than 200 young people have been supported by Global Voices to attend over 50 international summits to represent Australia.
For more information about Global Voices, visit here.
