Being inspired by Australian thought leaders
Changing the world into a better place is not an easy task. It requires people to make a positive contribution, no matter how small or big. 20 Australia Awards Cambodia scholars were inspired to start taking action after they participated in the recent Social Good Summit Australia in Melbourne last October.
The Social Good Summit Australia (SGSA) aims to inspire people to lead a change by showcasing inspiring leaders and their efforts to find solutions to the greatest challenges of our times, such as climate change and poverty. The summit is a United Nations-affiliated event that connects individuals, corporations, not-for-profits, government and grassroots organisations.
This year’s Summit theme – RECONNECT. RETHINK. RESTART – focussed on the task ahead of us to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and creating a better world. Nine industry leaders shared their powerful and inspiring stories with a message for everyone to take action for social good.
One of the impressive stories was from Nik and Harry Robinson. Nik and his 8 years old son at the time, Harry, founded a company in 2020 to tackle global plastic waste and turn them into useful products. It took them 752 days and thousands of failed attempts until finally they launched Good Citizens Eyewear in April 2020. Nik and Harry re-engineered the traditional sunglasses hinge, creating a product made entirely from recycled plastic. One 600ml plastic bottle creates one Good Citizens sunglass frame exactly. One scholar reflected on the story and said:
Another speaker, Nasir Sobhani, also known as ‘The Streets’ Barber,’ has earned his affectionate title by spending his time taking to Melbourne’s streets offering free haircuts and shaves to the homeless and less fortunate. His inspirational story of compassion and generosity has received significant attention globally. Nasir was one of the five people to be profiled as part of the Kenneth Cole Courageous Class Campaign in New York, celebrating individuals who have overcome obstacles in life to become inspiring role models.
These inspiring speakers motivated the scholars to think of what they can do to contribute to sustainable development in Cambodia. Participating at the Summit also allowed the scholars to build their confidence and sharpen their networking skills. As one scholar said:
The SGSA is part of a global network of committed citizens from more than 100 countries that meet every year to unlock the potential of individuals, technology, and collaboration to make the world a better place.
The SGSA is a not-for-profit run solely by volunteers. Their team is made up of mums, dads, working professionals, students and artists with a shared goal to make a better world by 2030.
So what will you do to make the world a better place?
Australia Awards
Post graduate learning opportunities for Cambodia’s future leaders
Being inspired by Australian thought leaders
Changing the world into a better place is not an easy task. It requires people to make a positive contribution, no matter how small or big. 20 Australia Awards Cambodia scholars were inspired to start taking action after they participated in the recent Social Good Summit Australia in Melbourne last October.
The Social Good Summit Australia (SGSA) aims to inspire people to lead a change by showcasing inspiring leaders and their efforts to find solutions to the greatest challenges of our times, such as climate change and poverty. The summit is a United Nations-affiliated event that connects individuals, corporations, not-for-profits, government and grassroots organisations.
This year’s Summit theme – RECONNECT. RETHINK. RESTART – focussed on the task ahead of us to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and creating a better world. Nine industry leaders shared their powerful and inspiring stories with a message for everyone to take action for social good.
One of the impressive stories was from Nik and Harry Robinson. Nik and his 8 years old son at the time, Harry, founded a company in 2020 to tackle global plastic waste and turn them into useful products. It took them 752 days and thousands of failed attempts until finally they launched Good Citizens Eyewear in April 2020. Nik and Harry re-engineered the traditional sunglasses hinge, creating a product made entirely from recycled plastic. One 600ml plastic bottle creates one Good Citizens sunglass frame exactly. One scholar reflected on the story and said:
Another speaker, Nasir Sobhani, also known as ‘The Streets’ Barber,’ has earned his affectionate title by spending his time taking to Melbourne’s streets offering free haircuts and shaves to the homeless and less fortunate. His inspirational story of compassion and generosity has received significant attention globally. Nasir was one of the five people to be profiled as part of the Kenneth Cole Courageous Class Campaign in New York, celebrating individuals who have overcome obstacles in life to become inspiring role models.
These inspiring speakers motivated the scholars to think of what they can do to contribute to sustainable development in Cambodia. Participating at the Summit also allowed the scholars to build their confidence and sharpen their networking skills. As one scholar said:
The SGSA is part of a global network of committed citizens from more than 100 countries that meet every year to unlock the potential of individuals, technology, and collaboration to make the world a better place.
The SGSA is a not-for-profit run solely by volunteers. Their team is made up of mums, dads, working professionals, students and artists with a shared goal to make a better world by 2030.
So what will you do to make the world a better place?