Sam Fellows: Pre SIDS Views

Kia ora, or should I say Talofa,

I am writing this as I am flying to Samoa for what I am sure will be an amazing couple of weeks. With the sun setting beautifully to my left I am getting very excited for what is in store. As you ate probably aware if you are reading this, I am fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to travel to Samoa with an amazing delegation of inspiring young people to participate in the UN SIDS conference.

For anyone reading this who has not read my profile my name is Sam and I am currently a Solicitor at Simpson Grierson in Auckland, previously having completed my law degree and a Master of Sport and Leisure Studies at Waikato University. The main reason I was interested in coming to the SIDS conference was because I believe it offered an excellent opportunity to get a feeling for the real issues facing individuals in our own backyard. I believe it will also be a wonderful opportunity to see what is already happening and be involved in the discussions for what can be done moving forward.

My big passion in the area of development is education and specifically harnessing it to improve the lives of individuals. Additionally as I have studied and participated in a lot of physical activity and physical education I am always interested in ways we can use sport, play, games and physical activity coupled with education to improve overall wellbeing. I strongly believe that education is the best way we can help individual’s lead happy and fulfilling lives. By doing this we do not just help the individual but their families and communities too.

Having never attended a UN conference before I am looking to soak up all the information I can. I am already in awe of my amazing fellow delegates and feel a bit out of my depth, a feeling I am sure I will feel even more when I meet some more of the attendees. But I am looking forward to the challenge. Plus Samoa seems like a pretty awesome place to learn what I can to help make the world a better place.

Keep an eye out for future posts as our trip progresses.

Tofa for now,

Sam

All posts by Institute delegates reflect their own thoughts, opinions and experiences, and do not reflect those of the Institute.

For official Institute updates, take a look here.

Posted on August 28, 2014 and filed under SIDS 2014.