Karan Dhamija
Growing up in India and then moving to Melbourne in my teenage years made me realise the diversity our globe encompasses but also the issues we need to face. It also allowed me to encounter the power of conversations around those issues and the need for action at every level. It's hard to imagine being part of the solution to an issue being talked about by world leaders in closed rooms in world capitals but the power of individuals while often being overlooked is enduring.
My interest in looking at international issues from different perspectives and the power of peer-to-peer conversations really developed while working for UN Youth Australia, a national youth-NGO working to engage young people with the world. I was able to help run international events, local programs and even study tours with high school kids to different parts of the world. The Global Challenges learning community will look at engaging the ANU community with the issues we are confronted with in the 21st century. We won't just talk to people who have devoted their lives to working in those areas, but also talk about our own experiences. For those who have studied these topics for years, it'll be an opportunity to delve into the areas at an even deeper level, or share your own insights. For those looking to expand their knowledge, Global Challenges will provide an opportunity to find areas you might not have delved into before. And if you just want to know about some of the challenges a bit more, there is no better opportunity to learn from your peers as well as experts.
2016 happens to be a year when a lot is happening, and it's an exciting time to seek to not only find answers, but also explore our own thoughts over some of the most critical and contentious issues. Over the course of the next few weeks, we'll be looking at what the growth of robots means for us or what 2016 might have in store for the Asia-Pacific region.
I really had no clue what I would end up jumping into when I started at ANU, but after three and a bit years of jumping between history, politics, international relations, law and economics through my degree of Politics, Philosophy and Economics with Law, Global Challenges Learning Community is a great opportunity to really dive through my passions and explore them to new depths."
Karan Dhamija
Global Challenges Learning Community Ambassador
