Challenging, exhilarating, friendly and life changing – these are some of the words used by Rianna Patterson, from Dominica and Sarah Lamba, from Tanzania, who we supported to attend The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference (CSC), held in Canada, 3-18 June 2023.
The conference bought together 300 of the world’s most promising emerging leaders from business, government, labour, and the community sector.
Over the two weeks, the Conference exposed each member to new experiences, provoking arguments and different perspectives, so that the quality and relevance of their decision-making as leaders is improved.
Here Rianna and Sarah share some of their experiences:
Rianna Patterson, Dominica, Founder of Dominica Dementia Foundation
“What we experienced was special and unique. 4am explorations, 10pm discussions and debriefs on long bus rides. Dancing and singing with indigenous communities. We experienced it all! Naps included!
“It challenged my idea of leadership as we asked difficult and deep questions. The warmth of the people that allowed us to explore their beautiful province from their eyes, took us on a full circle journey. This experience has changed me as a person, professional and broadened my geographical lens.
“Newfoundland. An island on the coast of Canada greeted us with love on the first day, our bus drivers baked scones for all 17 of us! It is truly one of the friendliest places I’ve been. My study group brought thought provoking questions and we were able to break down complex conversations and themes. It was truly something to witness and participate in. I couldn’t think of a better group to experience one of the most exhilarating two weeks of my life.
“Canada holds such a strong indigenous presence and sense of identity. There is also a growing ageing population which we learned from our conversations across sectors.
“I will be taking away new principles of leadership, new friendships, group think methods and showing gratitude in new ways to the people I love and the communities I serve. Collaborating with other people who share the same vision.”
Sarah Lamba, Tanzania, Director of SYEAC (Smart Youth Effort for Advanced Community), which runs the Save Elders Tanzania programme
“The CSC was an open book for you to choose what to learn. Meaning that it was a well content designed and planned tour that allowed leaders to learn from observing and engaging themselves in different sectors and areas that were visited but also through team work.
“From my team British Columbia 2 (Team Travel to the southern part of British Columbia from Banff): The team members were experienced in their field of work, willing to share and support one another to understand. Team members were dynamic, others were civil servants, others employed in private entities and other Directors of their own business/organisation.
“From this perspective I learned that a leader is a multidimensional and multi-tasking person.
“From the leaders we visited during the study tour, I found that leaders are visionary and committed to their work. They have a strong mind in presenting their work.
“I have managed to network socially and formally with delegates, organising committees and panellists from the CSC.
“From this perspective, I feel we still need more effort to empower more young people to find potential in working with elders, because in the CSC conference I and Rihanna were the ones who are directly working with elders; I am keen to explore this further with CommonAge to see how we can attach an Elders agenda on the panellist for the next CSC.
“The Conference has opened me to the new world of technology, ideas and how leaders have to be. Both components are so important for country development. But last for the country’s development not only young people are needed but elders can be part of that development.”
Find out more about Rianna and Sarah’s achievements here.
In this video, Rianna and Sarah share more their experiences, what they have learned.
We at CommonAge strongly believe in supporting and encouraging emerging leaders, particularly those from developing countries, who face many challenges when working to improve older people’s lives, and advocate on behalf of our elders.
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