Mulberry Youth Conference: The Impact

The Impact

Informal questions during lunch

The Mulberry Youth Conference has a profound impact upon students attending the conference and upon those involved in its development. Student organisers have testified to the greater sense of confidence it has given them, and the feeling that it gives them that they can do whatever they set their mind to.

Over the course of conference preparation the students learn how to envision, plan and organise a very complex event. We have also instigated a programme whereby each year’s conference leaders and presenters play a key role in organising and training the lead team for the following year, creating a self-perpetuating programme in which students are transformed into trainers.

This year the group organising the Mulberry Conference went on to independently plan and organise their own community conference involving over 400 attendees and raising over £3,000 for charity. I can think of no better testament to the conference’s ability to inculcate the Entrepreneurial spirit in young people.

Finally, the entire school has benefited tremendously from the conference. This impact has grown as the conference’s international element was developed. The presence of students from abroad has a tremendous impact in a mono-cultural school like Mulberry, suddenly opening us to the world. The opportunity for our students to meet young Americans, hear their points of view, and develop friendships across lines of national and religious difference is one that none involved will ever forget.

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