ABOUT 100 students, teachers and staff from schools across the Pearce electorate gathered for a forum in Clarkson this month.
Pearce MHR Christian Porter held the inaugural Pearce Young Leaders Forum on April 5 at Clarkson Community High School.
Clarkson CHS head of maths and science Adam Inder was MC at the event, where Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop joined the Social Services Minister to speak to students.
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READ NOW“The intention of the forum was to gather together passionate young leaders from schools in the Pearce electorate in order to glean wisdom and experience from local leaders, and also have an opportunity to voice questions, ideas and concerns about leadership,” Mr Inder said.
“Students asked sincere and challenging questions that were met with detailed responses from local politicians.
“The forum itself and the morning tea that followed were full of rich discussion around being an authentic, passionate leader ;students came away feeling enriched, empowered, and encouraged.”
Mr Porter thanked students for participating and posing “well thought out questions” including how the Government was creating more jobs for young people, how to deal with conflict and what makes a good leader.
“I hope that the forum showed them there are many ways to be a leader, not only in the community but in their day to day life,” he said.
Ms Bishop spoke about meeting world leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and was asked which global leader had most inspired her.
“I met Aung San Suu Kyi in 1995 before I went into parliament when she was campaigning for freedom and democracy for the people of Burma (now Myanmar),” she said.
“I can hardly believe that in my lifetime I’ve seen Aung San Suu Kyi go from a political prisoner to the leader of her country; it is hard to find someone more inspirational.”
Mr Porter said he had one piece of advice to offer during the forum.
“Find out what it is that you love, what you are passionate about, be brave and just go for it,” he said.
“People will see your passion, your enthusiasm, and those traits are the foundations of great leadership.”
Schools involved included Bindoon Catholic Agricultural College, Bullsbrook College, Clarkson CHS, Joseph Banks Secondary College, Mindarie Senior College, Northam Senior High School, Peter Moyes Anglican Community School and Swan Valley Anglican Community School.
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