Grace was a student participant at the 44th COBIS Annual Conference from COBIS Member School Pegasus Schools in Nigeria. Here is what she had to say about her experience at the conference...

At the COBIS conference, I found myself in a room filled with distinguished educators, visionary school leaders, and experienced professionals from across the world, all gathered to discuss the future of education. Among them sat six students, myself included, invited not merely to observe but to contribute. When I learned I would be speaking on the student panel, I was both thrilled and deeply honoured. I prepared diligently, determined to offer perspectives that were thoughtful, meaningful, and worthy of such an accomplished audience. What surprised me most was not simply that these respected educators were willing to listen to young voices, but that they listened with genuine interest and openness. Being truly heard by people I so admired gave me a new sense of confidence and responsibility.

On the student panel, chaired by Vanita Uppal, we offered student perspectives on global conversations surrounding AI, mobile phones, and the importance of student voice in schools. We stressed that these issues could not simply be discussed around students but with them, and that young people should be mentored to use technology ethically and responsibly rather than merely restricted from it.

After the session, many of the educators and school leaders I met stopped to compliment me and continue the conversation. Their willingness to listen, genuinely listen, changed the way I viewed school leadership. I realised how deeply committed many of them were to the growth and development of their students.

I, too, got to listen at this conference. As a young girl, I was deeply impacted by Dr Wahidyar. Before the conference, I had read his description briefly and moved on, believing I already understood the difficulties faced by children in war-torn countries. Yet hearing someone speak about those experiences firsthand was awakening.

It stirred in me not only gratitude, but also a deeper question about what education truly meant: was it simply the gaining of knowledge for personal benefit, or, as he put it, “creatively applying it for the betterment of humanity?” His willingness to risk his life to ensure vulnerable people were not denied opportunities and support deeply inspired me. Long after he had finished speaking, his words remained with me.

There were many little moments at the conference that stayed with me, much like Dr Wahidyar’s words had. As I listened, every interaction, conversation, and mannerism became a lesson. Although the conference may not have been intended for a young person like me, it challenged me to listen more carefully to the world around me and form thoughtful, problem-solving opinions of my own.

Leaving the conference, I felt grown, more insightful, knowledgeable, and aware than when I arrived. Being on that panel showed me that young people can meaningfully contribute to global conversations when they are given the opportunity to listen, reflect, and be heard. We need stages where important topics are discussed deeply so young people can listen and learn, and stages where they are encouraged to share their perspectives and be heard.

More than anything, the conference reminded me that the purpose of gaining knowledge is not merely personal success, but using what we learn to help others. Even now, I find myself thinking about how to share and apply all I learned there. Writing this blog post is one way of doing that, and I hope it encourages others not to pass up opportunities to be part of experiences like this.