Moving Toward a Sustainable Future

Shawnigan’s own commitment to sustainability, as featured in the School’s recently launched strategic plan, Project Future 2.0, was tied into much of the conference.

 

Sessions enjoyed by the delegates ranged from plenaries and smaller working groups to outdoor activities and panel discussions. The last day of the conference ended with a workshop spearheaded by students and student ideas. Among the students’ suggestions were more collaboration between schools, shared transportation, the integration of skills recognition into post-secondary admission considerations instead of just grades, and incorporating student voices into school leadership and school projects.

 

Presenting schools Shawnigan and UBC were among 15 secondary and post-secondary institutions that took part in the conference.

 

The Shawnigan students who took part were grateful for the change to attend a conference of this calibre on their own campus.

 

“To capture the last five years on the Shawnigan Sustainability Council and bring it together in one place with people that share the same passion was more than an eye-opener,” said Grade 12 student Charlotte G. “It was an open gate to so many windows looking into the scary future ahead, with leadership opportunities I could never have dreamed of getting beforehand.”

 

“Over the course of three days, I learned through listening to the stories of different peoples, engaging in conversation with many people interested in climate change and a regenerative future, and exploring the issues faced by my community,” said Shannon C., also in Grade 12. “This experience was particularly meaningful for me, as it was my first time collaborating alongside adults, an environment wholly different from high school.

 

“What I am most grateful for was the opportunity to engage with the wide array of people outside of Shawnigan. Additionally, something that stuck to me was a professor’s words, ‘We are not automatically experts simply because we are adults, you are all experts in your own areas of interest, and we are here to learn from one another.’”

 

Grade 11 student Sadaf N. reflected, “I'm thrilled to share that I attended the Regenerative Futures Conference, where I met people from many different backgrounds and cultures. I had the opportunity to chat with peers from different schools and hear about their experiences. I've always been worried about climate change and the lack of action to address it. This conference gave me the chance to talk with experts who explained complex ideas clearly, and encouraged everyone to take action.

 

“I appreciate that we did not only focus on the problem. Participants shared their own solutions and committed to helping the environment. In a world where so much attention is given to developing artificial intelligence, it was inspiring to meet people dedicated to protecting the planet. Overall, I learned a lot, and this conference motivated me to take real steps toward supporting the environment.”

 

Mr. Alexei du Bois, the previous Heimbecker Inspiration Chair for Experiential Education, started preparations for the Regenerative Futures Conference, then handed it over to Ms. Coolidge to take to the finish line when he returned to his job at Hilton College in South Africa. He returned to Shawnigan to take part in the conference, and shared a keynote address – “Questions that Need Asking” – with Ms. Coolidge on the second day.

 

With the conference now concluded, Ms. Coolidge will carry the momentum from that experience into other aspects of her position at Shawnigan, where she will collaborate and coach teachers on how to bring experiential education and sustainability into the classroom.