We report on our recent thought-provoking online event.
Parents, teenagers, teachers and members of the wider community learned what it takes to be a changemaker for a better, more sustainable future during an ACS Cobham virtual event, ‘The world needs…adventurers’, in November.
Featuring renowned entrepreneur, Sian Sutherland; a thriving ACS Cobham alumna, Sissel Tønnesen Engblom, and our very own Forest School trainer, Chris Hupp, the event explored why the world needs adventurous thinkers, the importance of nature in our lives now and in the future, and how taking risks and embracing failure creates positive outcomes.
‘The world needs… adventurers’ was the first in a series of events across ACS schools which will explore ‘what the world needs’, delving into the big societal and technological challenges the world is currently facing and considering exactly what kind of citizen the world needs to contribute to a better, more sustainable tomorrow.
Sissel Tønnesen Engblom
Hosted by Head of School, Barny Sandow, the event began with an explanation of what it means to be an adventurer – being bold enough to take risks and embrace change for a more sustainable future.
Former student, Sissel Tønnesen Engblom, was welcomed back to her alma mater to share her career pathway from student to urban architect and CEO, highlighting the importance of the spaces we live in for ensuring a sustainable future.
A highlight of the talk was Sissel’s thought-provoking description of her involvement with the redesign of the government headquarters in Oslo following the 2011 terror attack. Through the power of architecture, Sissel worked to redevelop the space in a way that would heal the hearts of Oslo’s community and provide a platform for them to thrive and progress from the attack.
Co-founder of A Plastic Planet, Sian Sutherland, followed with a compelling talk on how a decision at age 25 led her into a career of entrepreneurship, failings and open-mindedness. Sian shared powerful anecdotes on “what she wishes she knew at 16”:
Sian discussed her career as a restaurateur, founder of a brand agency and founder of pregnancy skincare brand, Mama Mio. All of this led to her enlightenment about the impact of plastic consumption on the oceans and the co-founding of her current venture, A Plastic Planet.
As well as her impressive ventures in environmentalism, Sian is truly an adventurer to the core – she is an entrepreneur and innovator, a risk-taker and problem solver, and most of all, a real advocate of the value of failure for personal growth and development.
She highlighted that, when it comes to entrepreneurship “if it was easy, everyone would do it”; you need to be prepared to set yourself goals and strive every day to achieve those goals. Sian left attendees thinking about their relationship with plastic and how we should use our buying power to buy less and buy better.
Sian Sutherland
Wrapping up the event, ACS Cobham's very own Lower School science teacher, Chris Hupp, explored the adventure of childhood and our intrinsic need to connect with nature in order to foster an ecological identity.
Chris discussed the benefits of outdoor learning, such as the development of resilience and confidence, as well as the ways it improves wellbeing, creativity, and cooperative teamwork. He urged viewers to critically reflect on the modern mechanistic worldview which keeps us disconnected from nature and is a key driver of climate change and the widespread loss of biodiversity.
Chris added "we must rediscover a more holistic perspective of the complex systems that support life, considering how humans are an integral part of nature".
Chris Hupp
“It was a pleasure to welcome three such engaging and insightful speakers – they all truly summed up what it means to be an adventurer, and why it’s so important for us all to think a little more creatively to build a better, more sustainable world of tomorrow," said Barny Sandow, reflecting on the event.
"For us, adventurers are not just explorers of the world and things in it, they are risk-takers, independent thinkers and entrepreneurs, open-minded to new opportunities. Adventurers not only want to explore the world around them but want to preserve it and all the things in it.
"At school we encourage all students to think independently and creatively, and provide many opportunities for students to make a positive impact on the world around them. We are also home to a large green campus, perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of cities and exploring nature.
"As such, the topic of ‘adventurers’ and their critical role in building a better, more sustainable future aligned perfectly to our school’s ethos and we were keen to learn from individuals who live and breathe these characteristics.
'In all, the three speakers gave us a lot of pause for thought. I personally feel more mindful of how I interact with the world around me, and I hope our students will feel inspired to take action to be the adventurers of the future."
Stream the ‘The world needs…adventurers’ event here.