Top Five!

Global Goals cannot be achieved without actions around the world, but local interests and limitations can be very different from one country to the next. How can we identify common grounds and compromise? This weekend, we will find out which team and which students have received the highest votes for their ideas and contributions in the Local Actions for Global Goals Buddies Without Borders Online Forum. You are invited to cast your vote in the People's Choice Category. The deadline to cast your vote is Wednesday, April 9th.

Throughout the Forum, students are challenged by different time zones, schedules, communication styles, commitment levels and academic abilities. They earn points for stepping up and helping out. The points are awarded by our Scorer, Forum Director, Team Coaches, and most importantly, their peers.

Today, we would like to acknowledge the Top Five Scorers. We asked them to look back at their journey and reflect on what they plan to do with this experience as they take personal actions and build global connections in the future.

Madeleine Nicole Yotoho - British School Jakarta, Indonesia

Throughout my forum journey, I have experienced significant growth and development, both in my understanding of the topic and in my ability to collaborate with others. Engaging in discussions and exchanging perspectives with my forum mates has deepened my awareness of global issues and the importance of diverse viewpoints. I have learned to critically analyze information, challenge assumptions, and communicate my ideas effectively. Through this experience, I have also gained a greater appreciation for teamwork and the value of collective learning. My forum mates have inspired me with their passion, dedication, and unique insights, reinforcing the idea that change is driven by collaboration and shared knowledge. Personally, I have discovered my strengths in leadership and adaptability, as well as areas where I can continue to improve, such as active listening and refining my argumentation skills. This journey has taught me the importance of being open-minded and embracing different cultural perspectives. Moving forward, I plan to apply these lessons by taking personal actions that contribute to my community, whether through advocacy, education, or social initiatives. Additionally, I hope to maintain the global connections I have built, collaborating with like-minded individuals to create meaningful change. By leveraging my experiences from the forum, I aim to continue learning, growing, and making a positive impact in both local and international spaces.

Mani Morsali - Vali Muammer Guler Social Sciences High School, Turkey (Iranian)

What began as a simple project evolved into an unforgettable journey of growth and discovery. When I first joined BWB, I viewed it as a competition, a challenge where the goal was to rise to the top. However, this forum completely transformed my mindset. I learned that success is not just about individual achievement but also about collaboration and shared progress. Before this experience, I disliked teamwork and preferred working alone, convinced that I could accomplish more independently. Yet, as I immersed myself in the forum, I realized the power of collective effort. Working with my teammates, we tackled real-world challenges, particularly in education, a cause deeply connected to the Sustainable Development Goals. One of our most impactful initiatives was developing a project to address a critical issue in education, allowing us to turn our ideas into meaningful action. Beyond my own growth, I also witnessed an incredible transformation in my teammates, some who were initially disengaged became the most active and dedicated members of our group. This experience reshaped my perspective on leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. It was more than just a forum, it was a life-changing experience that I will always cherish.

Krisha Karippail - Green Bay High School, New Zealand

Learning how local actions contribute to global goals was really helpful as I am a Co-Club President of the NZ BWB Club, meaning I'm always trying to come up with local action projects with maximum standalone impact that also further the SDGs. This is sometimes difficult to do as these issues can feel too insurmountable to ever solve, leading local action projects to sometimes feel insignificant and unrelated to solving global issues. This forum has shown me the inherent link between local actions and global goals, revealing how essential local actions actually are. I feel so much more prepared and knowledgeable in leading my club in our Local Action Project, and in undertaking local projects in everyday life. For example, learning how to conduct a SWOT Analysis was really useful, as it clearly explained to me how to see a global SDG in the context of my country/community, strengthening that link between local actions and global goals and simultaneously giving me a much better understanding of context before delving into project planning. Having learned the principal reasons that guide LAPs and the skills to plan them, I am confident in my ability to apply them in my efforts going forward... Not only was this forum interesting and enjoyable, it was greatly beneficial and informative for me. The knowledge and skills I have learned throughout these past two months will be invaluable going forward as a BWB Club Co-President, a global citizen, and as an individual progressing through life.

Shareen Cerina Chauhan – Strawberry Fields High School, Chandigarh, India

Participating in this forum has been a transformative journey, allowing me to grow both intellectually and personally. Through discussions, team collaborations, and research, I have deepened my understanding of systemic inequalities and the crucial role of education, governance, and policy reforms in creating a just society. Working with my forum mates has shown me the power of collective action and how diverse perspectives enrich problem-solving. I have learned that perseverance and leadership are essential in driving meaningful change, and I am proud of the progress we have made together.

Beyond gaining knowledge, this experience has strengthened my communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. I have realized that change starts at the local level, and small actions can contribute to global progress. Moving forward, I plan to apply these insights by engaging in advocacy, volunteering, and fostering discussions that promote justice and equality. I hope to build global connections that allow me to collaborate on initiatives that make a lasting impact. This forum has reinforced my commitment to being an active agent of change, ensuring that justice and fairness are not just ideals but realities for all.

Aubrey Guillaume - The Walker School, USA

Over the course of this forum, I have not only learned a lot about my teammates but also about myself. Prior to this journey, I had the passion to make a change but no idea of how to go about it. I had no idea what the SDGs were or how they affected me in my everyday life. However, during this short period of time I have come to the realization of just how much my decisions and those of the people around me can have a lasting effect on our world no matter how big or small. I have had to take responsibility for myself, as well as hold my teammates accountable for the work we have to complete as a team, and encourage them to succeed on their individual work.... I have stepped up into one of the leaders of my team through this experience and am so happy with how my team was able to work together and collaborate to create a finished deliverable. Overall, I would not have been able to do this without the encouragement of my teammates and how they helped develop me into a leader. In the future, I plan to take the knowledge learned from this experience, such as responsibility, accountability, and determination, to pursue a project in my community.

Please join us in congratulating the Top Five of the Local Actions for Global Goals Buddies Without Borders Online Forum!