An idea has become reality for two college students who believe that young people can make a big difference.
The ‘Young Innovation Forum,’ held on July 14 at the University of Auckland was organised by 16-year-old students Aryaman Taore and Wendy Jian, who established ‘Young Ideas,’ an organisation that aims to work towards solving global issues and assisting less fortunate people.
They created the Forum as a platform for students to share practical and realistic ideas.
The first meeting included group discussions, guest speakers, presentations and model building of their ideas.
Practical solutions
The Forum discussed the situation in Kiribati, Fiji and Vanuatu. One practical solution presented will be chosen as a project and put into action with the sponsorship of companies and organisations.
Aryaman, from Botany Downs Secondary College, and Wendy, a Takapuna Grammar School student, met at the ‘Eureka! Science Competition.’
“Many innovative science competitions are in New Zealand but without any follow-up, the ideas remain on paper,” Wendy said.
We chose the youth because we can relate to them.
Free minds
When you grow up into an adult, you mature but face several constraints. In a sense, the solution may not be economically viable and there would be many other things that would occupy their minds.
Young people would first think about the situation at hand, so that they can innovate and think of something completely new.
Grace Stephens (16) from Glendowie College, who attended the Forum, said, “It was a good opportunity to be able to implement an idea. I know that the focus of this event was to do something about the concerned issues and contribute. We can actually make a difference,” she said.
Growing concept
Their simple idea is now growing bigger with another Forum scheduled to be held later this year during the summer holidays.
Aryaman said that ‘Young Ideas’ also plans to expand nationally with other participants willing to organise similar Forums in their home city.
“Our next plan of action is to get more students involved from various parts of New Zealand so that better ideas can be developed. We hope to get the final idea ready for implementation by the end of this year,” he said.
Wendy said that it was about lending a helping hand.
