Global Issues Network (GIN) Saigon Conference 2021

Global Issues Network (GIN) Saigon Conference 2021 It was our pleasure to be able to host the Global Issues Network (GIN) Saigon Conference 2021 at BIS last weekend. Find out what this years conference was all about and what our students had to say.

It was our pleasure to be able to host the Global Issues Network (GIN) Saigon Conference 2021 at BIS last weekend on 27th - 28th March. The BIS GIN admin team, alongside their teachers, have worked extremely hard to organise the first-ever virtual GIN conference with over 100 participants from international schools all over HCMC. Read below what our students had to say.

The theme chosen for this year’s conference was “Propulsion”. With the uncertainty arising from numerous socio-political movements over the past months and the pandemic’s devastating effects, all types of activities have ceased and plunged our world into a state of stagnation. With this in mind, “Propulsion” is closely linked to the image of a rocket launching off; similarly, it is our ideas and initiatives that serve as the propelling thrust into an exploration of a future that is equitable for all.

Although the conference was virtual, Ms Quyen from LaiDay Refill Station was our honourable keynote speaker touching upon the hot issue of a zero-plastic lifestyle and how students can join hands to help alleviate the scars on our Earth. 

We also had the appearance of NGOs: The Blue Dragon Foundation, Operation Smile, Endangered Asian Species and Vinacapital, responsible for organising workshop sessions to provide educational opportunities around major social issues. 

The main activity of the conference is the 10 GANG groups representing 10 different global issues. GANG Leaders led participants to carry out a collaborative awareness project and present it creatively. It is here that we witness the energy of the youth, from the heated debate to answer the question “Does artificial intelligence jeopardize the future of humankind?” to a creative song about plastic pollution. Moreover, participants enjoyed tuning in to student-led TED-style talks touching on topics of: Social and Gender Construct, Gender Inequality, and Consumerism and Fast Fashion.

The main lesson to take away from this unique experience is, rather than blaming the past, look to the future with optimism where the youth will speak their voice and that voice will signal the paradigm shift in our world for the better.

To have access to the full video of TED-style talks, speeches and the projects of GANG groups, please refer to here.

Bao Tran Nguyen, Bach Lam, and Jenny Nguyen
BIS GIN Council