The Villars Institute is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to accelerating the transition to a net zero economy and to restoring the health of the planet for all. 

Five Year 12 LAE students, nominated as Villars Fellows, have been taking part in The Villars Institute "Systems Thinking" courses with students from across the world.  Villars Fellows are solution-oriented young people with a passion for change.  At the end of June our Villars Fellows will attend The Villars Symposium in Switzerland, organised to combine the creativity of young people with the proficiency of experienced professionals to accelerate the energy transition, the use of nature-based solutions, and the adoption of emerging technologies. 

"After completing the first Minerva course on ‘systems thinking’, I am even more exited to attend the Villars Symposium. During the course, I was exposed to a new and innovative way of learning through active communication and interaction. This opportunity is very unique, and I am most looking forward to speaking further with the international students as well as learning from scientists working actively in the climate crisis. As a Villars fellow, I look forward to developing my critical lens and strengthening my problem solving."

Connie

"Becoming a Villars Fellow has been an invaluable experience to date, and I am now so excited to take part in the Symposium. I am looking forward to gaining an insight into others' perspectives about the climate crisis, as well as meeting and learning from some of the most knowledgeable professionals in this field. I am especially keen to learn about sustainable development and emergent technologies, and how we can integrate these concepts into our community. 

Studying the Systems Thinking course with students from around the world was an incredible opportunity, and experiencing University-style learning was a new and exciting concept. I have also been able to consider challenging topics from various perspectives, and am keen to continue these deep discussions further during the Symposium. Through the duration of this course, I have  developed various skills, especially my public speaking and conversational skills, as I have had to share my thoughts and ideas with the rest of my group. 

This opportunity has been so valuable and inspiring, and I can't wait to see what else I can learn!" 

Zayna

"I am really excited to get to meet people from all over the world and learn about their perspectives on the climate crisis, related to their own personal experience. I think having in person discussions will help me to take a more active role in discussions about sustainable solutions, as well as help me to connect with new people. I think it will help aid my communication and problem-solving skills, as well as my knowledge surrounding the climate crisis." 

Ned

"Villars is an amazing opportunity that has piqued my interest. I'm looking forward to meeting individuals from all around the world and learning about new cultures and opportunities. This will also provide me the opportunity to network and meet new people. This symposium will grant me the chance to improve my communication skills, which will be essential to work effectively as a team with new people.

"Taking the preparation course has allowed me to improve my critical thinking skills since we learned how to think systematically to obtain a better understanding of how a system operates while also identifying effective solutions. I'm looking forward to finding climate-change solutions that we can include not only into schools but also into our local communities."

Aderonke

"As a Villars Fellow, I am excited about the upcoming year and the chance to implement sustainability projects. Some ideas I have include promoting renewable energy, starting new clubs in school, and raising awareness about conservation. I am eagerly looking forward to the Symposium as I'll get to talk with like-minded people, learn new things, and stay updated on the latest sustainability research. Going to the Symposium will help me expand my knowledge, meet new people, and inspire me to do more to protect the environment. Being in a class with people from all over the world and different ages has been inspiring, exposing me to a wide variety of perspectives from a wealth of life experiences. Furthermore, the university-style setting encouraged critical thinking, independent research, and collaborative problem-solving, equipping us with the skills essential for our future academic and professional careers."

Ramla