PAAC’s Global Leadership Program Cohort Showcase their Global Action Projects
Students in PAACʻs Global Leadership Program do not just learn about global issues – they act on them. Each student is required to complete a Global Action Project (GAP) that addresses a global issue in their local community or school. The 22 young leaders of the 2018-19 cohort boldly took on energy efficiency and sustainability issues; school violence; disparities in educational resources; low voter turnout; and much more. Students began their projects in October, using Design Thinking to help them think creatively and critically about solutions. The process of completing a GAP builds key leadership skills needed to be active and responsible members of society. Students’ confidence soars as they see themselves as change-makers. Many students decided to continue building on their projects next year.
To give you insight into the caliber and work these students put into their GAPs, we want to highlight Cheyanne Cabang’s GAP. Cheyanne, organized a Global Leadership Week at Nanakuli High with the aim of giving her peers an opportunity to learn about global issues and develop leadership skills. The week-long project included a culture day in which students were encouraged to dress in traditional clothing and share aspects of their cultures with their peers; a charity day in which students could bring in items to donate; and a youth leadership day, where inspirational guest speakers spoke. Cheyanne also coordinated logistics so her peers could experience a refugee simulation facilitated by PAAC.
The 2018-19 cohort presented their projects to the community at PAACʻs Student Showcase on April 27 at Chaminade University. Over 100 community members attended including Rep. Amy Perruso, Rep. Stacelynn Eli, Rep. Daniel Holt, and Councilmember Kymberly Pine.
At the Student Showcase, PAAC also recognized the 2018-2019 distinguished participants who were awarded over $119,000 in PAAC scholarships this school year. Thank you to everyone who attended and congratulated these students for their accomplishments.
Mahalo to our Venue Sponsor: Chaminade University
Other Global Action Projects Included:
- * Spearheading a Sustainability Week at Sacred Hearts Academy with interactive activities every day of the week.
- * Working to create an anonymous hotline for students to report incidents of school violence to the administration.
- * Organizing a campaign to pre-register students to vote.
- * Performing a school energy audit and sharing energy efficiency recommendations with the administration.
- * Leading a computer drive for students in need.
- * Creating a teacher appreciation board and raising awareness of teacher pay levels in Hawaiʻi.
- * Presenting to elementary school students to inform them of climate change and plastic waste.