The last five days have been the most exciting and stimulating of Elena Fermanis’ life.
The 20-year-old Melbourne University student journeyed to Prague last week to take part in the International Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC).
She was one of a select few Australian students handpicked to participate in the conference. Fermanis is a passionate advocate of diplomacy, which is why the week long youth forum on world politics, international relations and justice was right up her alley.
“The IYLC brought 120 students from around the world to discuss and help solve some of the world’s toughest problems,” she said.
“We formed panels specifically on situations such as those in Latin America and also leadership potential in Africa. At one of the committee hearings I spoke in an attempt to justify the changes to a climate change directive.”
The issues surrounding Africa and climate change are ones that are close to Ms Fermanis’ heart.
“I find it disgusting that nearly half the world still lives on less than two dollars a day. Nations such as the USA have obscene amounts of money to help solve the poverty in the world, namely Africa, yet nothing is done. It is this neglect that has made me try to help people, one at a time if need be.”
For this reason she sponsors two children through World Vision, and plans to work in the diplomatic field or in a non-government organisation such as Amnesty International or the United Nations.
Ms Fermanis identifies “money” as underpinning several international and national issues, including education and climate change.
She underscores that this notion needs to change if people are to consider how their actions are harming both the people and nature of our planet.
“I am appalled about the fee paying status of our universities,” she said. “It shames me to see education becoming a profit market. In Scandinavian countries where education is free, even university, their literacy levels are high and thus social unrest is also low.”
Her strong interest in diplomacy and international relations is evident , not only through her university studies of international politics, history, and democracy, but through her passion for travel which becomes “stronger with every trip.”
In 2008 she also joined the Navy as part of a Gap year program to further broaden her national and international knowledge.
Ms Fermanis aspires to share her experiences with students and encourage them to seek similar opportunities upon her return to Australia.
“I believe in always trying to strengthen knowledge. Only then can people pursue real change in this world.”
