My name is Maria Williams, and I am part of the Youth Mine Action Ambassador Program (YMAAP), working to raise awareness about the global crisis of landmines in the British Columbia. Over the last few months, youth from local high schools, universities, and community groups, have inspired me in my work in amazing ways!
So far, I have had many opportunities to work with youth—and to learn from them. One of the many incredible experiences that I had was at the Lower Mainland Red Cross’ Global Issues Symposium for Youth. At this event, 90 high-school students participated in four days of interactive activities in order to learn about many different global issues—including the humanitarian crisis of landmines.
I don’t know that I can even express the energy and enthusiasm that this group of students demonstrated throughout the event. The students were full of questions and interest while I spoke to them about the global landmine crisis, after which I couldn’t keep them from asking me about what more they could do to help! It was an incredible experience because I was able to see so clearly what youth have to offer—ideas, passion, commitment, and a strong belief that we can change the world—to help the world cope with such critical issues as landmines.
Perhaps even more inspiring have been the two months since the Global Issues Symposium—the youth I met there have not forgotten their commitment to doing something more! In a few short weeks many students held pizza lunches and other fundraisers to mark the Fifth Anniversary of the signing of the Global Ban on Landmines on December 3rd, 2002. Many students have organized Global Issues Clubs at their schools to work on the landmine issue and I have had email after email asking for resources and help in planning for Canadian Landmine Awareness Week (February 24th to March 1st).
I left the Global Issues Symposium knowing that my efforts at expressing my own enthusiasm for and commitment to the landmine issue were transferred to the students. Most importantly, witnessing what youth are possible of has convinced me that without their energy and ability, the global campaign to ban landmines would not have made such incredible steps forward.
Thank you to all those youth that made my experience so valuable at the Global Issues Symposium for Youth and I hope that other youth may draw upon your creativity and energy in working to rid the world of landmines. Good luck to youth all around the world in continuing inspiring efforts to realize a world free of anti-personnel landmines.
Maria Williams
Youth Mine Action Ambassador
Vancouver, Canada
vancouver@dangermines.ca
