Swinburne student shares her global voice
Swinburne student Dorotea Horina writes about her two-day Canberra experience with Global Voices’ World Trade Organisation (WTO) delegation. She is heading to Switzerland on 24 September for the WTO Public Forum.
Canberra was an action-packed two days I will never forget.
The first day in Parliament House involved meeting the other delegates and Global Voices team members. Everybody was extremely friendly, professional and interesting. I remember the Global Voices’ Chair, Peter Lindsay, telling us to think about the amount of political power prevalent within the building at that very moment. This really reinforced what a privilege it was to be there.
After the introductions, it was just go, go, go. I scribbled pages of notes when meeting Ministers, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade representatives and the Swiss Ambassador, trying to absorb as much information as possible. I’m referring to these notes now as I prepare for the WTO Public Forum in Geneva - less than two weeks away! I’ll also use them in writing my research paper, which focusses on Global Food Security.
A major highlight was attending Question Time and having Anna Burke, MP Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, give the delegates a special mention right in the middle of the political debate. She made everyone laugh by saying: “…and the WTO delegates who will be going to Geneva - I wish I was there now!” Julie Bishop, who we had met with just an hour before, gave us a wave from her seat.
Everybody we met with had so much charisma, intellect and charm; it was hard to believe these were the same people we see in the media day-to-day. This was truly an experience I will never forget and I strongly encourage my fellow Swinburne students to apply for the next Global Voices opportunity that comes along.
Swinburne has partnered with Global Voices to support two students, Dorotea Horina and Ryan Hyde, to attend trade and climate talks in Switzerland and Qatar respectively. Like Global Voices on facebook to find out more.
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