The Service-Learning and Civic Engagements Units, Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integration Learning (WIL) recently hosted a Community Engagement International Student Leadership Conference.
The conference attracted students, academia and professional nationally and Europe. Students forming part of the Community Engagement Student Leadership Academy at CPUT committed to implementing various projects within communities to contribute toward the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. The goals include the following: 1: No poverty, 2: Zero Hunger, 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, 4: Quality Education, 5: Gender Equality, 7: Affordable and clean energy, 8: Decent work and economic growth, 11: Sustainable cities and communities and 12: Responsible consumption and production, with Goal 6: Partnerships. Further to this, students were also expected to align their respective projects with the graduate attributes as fostered by CPUT.
Throughout the leadership academy students were exposed to various topics including but not limited to:
- Global, national, regional, and local perspectives relevant to CE
- CE Philosophies, ethics and values, theories, and concepts
- Leadership and teamwork in CE
- Building bridges through partnerships and networks for CE
- Civic responsibility and social justice
- CE Project management practical tools and strategies
- Reflection and evaluation
The delegates were welcomed by the Director of Community Engagement and WIL, Prof Lalini Reddy who emphasised the importance of leadership in society. Manager: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, Jacqueline Scheepers provided an overview of the leadership academy since its inception in 2015 and alluded to the critical need to build global leaders. Scheepers said the main objective of the leadership academy was to impact positively on “our”’ society through building and developing leadership skills and competencies. She emphasised the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “Ubuntu is the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity”.
The event boasted a keynote address by Jean-Marc Johannes, Guinness World Record holder in skateboarding, founder of Fill the Gap, gold, silver and bronze medallist. Johannes encouraged students to rise above their circumstances. He said that nothing is impossible and that one has to push boundaries and strive for the impossible.
Students presented projects varying from food garden projects, gender equality, entrepreneurial business bootcamp, first aid projects, environmental and reducing waste, clean and affordable energy, quality education and business enterprise development. The Project Lead, David Haarhoff expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone who assisted in making this event a success. “Working within a community engagement environment encourages us to continually promote the spirit of ubuntu and commit ourselves to the broader goal of servant leadership. My heart is full, and I am extremely proud in terms of student’s growth and their dedication towards communities.”
Leadership Academy member, Sydney Hlongwane said: “The student leadership academy is more than just a programme. It is an incentive for personal growth, leadership development and an inspiration to build a better future. The student presentations at the international student leadership conference were testament of the dedication and hard work that went into the projects.”
The conference also featured inspiring guest speakers who shared their experiences in leadership and sustainable development goals, providing further motivation for the students to continue their remarkable work. The student leadership academy stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for students, encouraging them to take leadership roles in future and to be good citizens within societies.
Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: