Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 16, 2018 (SKNIS): Young nationals in St. Kitts and Nevis are encouraged to apply for a scholarship to attend the annual One Young World Summit that will be held in The Hague, The Netherlands from October 17 – 20, 2018.
According to its official website, the Summit began in 2009 and “brings together the most valuable young talent from global and national companies, non-governmental organizations, universities, and other forward-thinking organizations.”
The All Bar None Scholarship will enable the successful candidate to participate in this conference, where they will debate pertinent global issues in order to formulate and share innovative strategies that will help to create positive change. They will also network with peers and make lasting connections.
Applicants must be aged 18-30; have a passion for world issues, and be the holder of a valid St. Kitts and Nevis passport. The scholarship covers the cost of travel (airfare) to and from The Hague; access to the Summit; hotel accommodation; catering, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner; transportation to and from the hotel to the Summit; and the hand-outs and other support materials.
The Department of Youth Empowerment has encouraged persons to seize the opportunity to attend the conference, noting that it has the potential to be a life changing event.
It certainly was for youth activist Sonia Boddie-Thompson, who participated in the 2013 One Young World Summit in South Africa after being sponsored through the All Bar None initiative.
“It was an absolutely amazing, inspirational and certainly motivational experience,” Mrs. Boddie-Thompson stated, noting that she was able to hear presentations from leading international figures including author/businesswoman Arianna Huffington, investor and philanthropist Richard Branson, activist Winnie Mandela, and former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Back then, when Ms. Boddie attended the Summit, she served the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis as a Senior Tax Inspector at the Inland Revenue Department.
“I can say that having attended that Summit and listening to these persons, and where they came from, and what they did to get where they wanted to go to, I felt extremely inspired to continue pressing forward and to continue availing myself and opening up myself to capitalize on every opportunity that was out there,” Mrs. Boddie-Thompson explained.
This sense of purpose lead the young lady to choose a career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she now serves as a Foreign Service Officer, and also to assume duties as the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis. Mrs. Boddie-Thompson urged eligible persons to apply for the scholarship in order to represent their country on the international stage.
“Certainly I will encourage any young person between the age of 18 and 30 to apply. … I am certain [that] if you apply and you are accepted to participate, you will never forget this experience and it is going to transform your life immensely,” she stated.
Interested individuals can learn more about the Summit by visiting www.oneyoungworld.com To apply for the All Bar None Scholarship visit www.oneyoungworld.com/all-bar-none-scholarship-2018 The application deadline is Monday, April 02, 2018.
