RSIC2024 Colombia – Baraza Leader Speech

Read Baraza Leader Valeria’s speech from the Closing Ceremony of RSIC2024 Colombia:

I am the lucky student who got to express her gratitude as a Baraza leader after this amazing week. And welcome you to our school, Colegio Anglo Colombiano.

First, I want to thank everyone here today. This has truly been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I imagine many of you feel the same way. As this week comes to an end, I can’t help but feel a mix of gratitude and sadness. Gratitude for everything we’ve shared and learned, and sadness that this unique opportunity is coming to an end. I know some of us wish that it went on for another week or even a month.

Over the past few days, we’ve been through so much together. From having to carry heavy manure bags up a mountain, to engaging with different cultures and getting soaked after building the chicken sheds, we’ve all been on a journey of discovery, either global or individual. These are the kinds of experiences that transform us, and they’ve been made possible by the Round Square IDEALS, which have been at the heart of everything we’ve done here. Is as Baraza Leaders have had the opportunity to lead this activities that have worked because of the IDEALS.

I need to highlight something important today: even if you someday come back to Colombia—and I know all of us here in Colombia would be happy to welcome you all again—the experience won’t be the same. This was a special moment in time, because we shared it together. What will stay with us, no matter where we go, is how this experience affected our identity. Each one of us has developed more our global mindset, one that prepares us to face the many challenges the world has in store. The lessons we’ve learned this week, about leadership, service, environmentalism, democracy, adventure, internationalism and understanding, have planted seeds that will continue to grow long after this week is over.

Just like the theme of this conference, blooming from the past, I believe that each of us will bloom from this experience. We’ve faced challenges, built connections across our differences, and come out stronger. More than the activities, the memories that will remain stuck in my mind and heart are those of the people I’ve met. We’ve shared our cultures, our stories, and our dreams, and in doing so, we’ve created something truly special: genuine connections that transcend borders and cultural differences.

Curiosity for the world and our differences are what brought us together. They became the foundation of our unity. Through the Round Square IDEALS, we didn’t just work together—we built something meaningful. We built bonds that will last far beyond this week, and have new curiosity of visiting places. I’ve never been so excited about visiting Kenya or Australia, I know that there will be people there that will accompany and receive me with open arms.

So, as we prepare to go our separate ways, let’s not forget the values that brought us here: internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, adventure, leadership, service, and the desire to make the world a more united place. Carry those values with you, and remember that this is only the beginning. The friendships, the lessons, the growth—they are all part of the journey we began together, but will continue individually across the world in our different contexts.

Thank you all for being part of this unforgettable experience. We have the rest of today to enjoy each other’s company, so let’s all make the best out of it here or Colegio Anglo Colombiano.

Thank You

Valeria
Colegio Anglo Colombiano