Bioneers Conference 2010: Anisha Desai Introduces Jess Rimington, Founder of One World Youth Project

Anisha Desai from the Earth Island Institute puts forth a warm welcome to Jess Rimington at the 2010 Bioneers Conference, praising the work of One World Youth Project:

“She is creating space in her programs for young people to say to each other, we’ll help you understand what makes us us. We’ll tell you our own stories, we’ll explain to you how globalization and power is impacting us. We’ll tell you about our struggles, and we’ll listen to yours. Through her programs, youth have the opportunity to understand early on that our fates are inextricably linked. That we have the capacity to be better – more empathetic, more conscientious humans.”

Embarking on a life changing journey…

My name is Christian RUSANGWA from Rwanda; my story is an amazing souvenir of different events…

My first contact with OWYP was almost inform when I met Jess Rimington and Jennifer Ehidiamen at Jane Goodall’s Global youth summit in Orlando in April 2008 where I was with one of my colleagues and friend- Hubert, who was is also a Project Ambassador. We had an amazing time together, learning about how young people can work together to protect the future.

Few months later, I joined OWYP as Project Ambassador (now called Regional Ambassador). For me it was more than a volunteer work because everyone was very passionate about the cause.

In OWYP, I found amazing group of people who are supportive and so kind that you feel like you know one another even though you’ve never met in person.

I have been working in MDG curriculum design task team this allowed me to be connected to others. My experience with OWYP has enabled me to achieve a lot in my life as a development activist by joining different campaigns trainings and conferences.

Now that OWYP have gone through restructuring, I am working as a Regional Ambassador serving in finance initiative team and community builders team. The time I spent time in this family, we kept jumping from one motivation to another; now I am feeling proud to be part of this change.