Each month, SLDL highlights a CGU student and the exciting work they are doing for their degree. This month we are highlighting Qianwen “Wen” Wei, a second-year Applied Gender Studies student who went to New York for a United Nations-run camp. Here are Wen’s reflections from her week at Camp 2030:

“During the Global Goals week, I had the incredible opportunity to be among a fantastic cohort of young change-makers at Camp2030 held by Unite 2030 in New York City. The 6 days innovation lab for the sustainable development goals attracted over 150 participants from over 60 countries committed to achieving the 17 goals set by the United Nations.

It was an amazing experience full of emotions, knowledge, and curiosity, and I had the certainty to reaffirm my passion for women’s rights and my desire to make a difference in my reality.

I was fortunate to connect with team 1 of SDG5: Gender equality, with 4 other people from different countries. We came up with the idea to end gender-based violence and generational trauma by educating young students about body autonomy. We got to pitch in front of a panel of judges from the United Nations regional commission, US State Dept, UNGA, and UNDP, in New York City. I feel that so many experiences cannot be put into words.

Furthermore, Camp 2030 provided networking opportunities that created friendships and a sense of community for achieving our goals. As PJ would say,” focusing more on our similarities than our differences”. I felt a strong sense of sisterhood among the Asian women here and I will bring that feeling with me on my journey to help women in the third world.”

Keep up the great work, Wen!