Speaker discusses students' role in global community

"Instead of standing by, how can you stand up?"

That was the overall question Wednesday night as International Youth Coordinator Louise Kent asked more than 50 Boston University students Wednesday night.

Leaders Today coordinator Kent spoke and sang to an audience in the Boston University School of Management auditorium about how students can take a stand and bring about change, fulfilling students' individual duty as a global citizen.

Kent, a graduate of the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada, spoke of "the bystander effect," explaining that "fear of leaving one's comfort zone" as well as "the diffusion of responsibility" are the reasons why so many people remain apathetic in a world with so many global issues.

"The more people who witness [an atrocity], the less chance there is that an individual will get up and do something about it," she said. "There are 6.5 billion people in the world, so what is your role?"

This year's theme, "Be the Change," was accompanied by an instrumental performance by Kent titled "Me to We," a philosophy that emphasizes action through the lyrics, "Let's move from me to we, help out one home, one family."

Through a multimedia presentation that included anecdotes, photographs, a video clip and a live performance, Kent conveyed the responsibility she said she feels each individual has as a global citizen.

"How can I use my time more efficiently and effectively?" she said. "Each person has the same responsibility to do something, whether you're Kofi Annan ... or a 12-year-old student."

International Student Volunteers member Phil Opitz helped organize the event, which was co-sponsored by BU Unicef, College of Arts and Sciences Forum, Rotaract and Alpha Phi Omega.

"Boston University is a very diverse school," the CAS junior said. "We have many opportunities as undergrads in America, [and] this is a step in the right direction."

Kent discussed a collection of environmental issues such as air and water quality, as well as world poverty, hunger, child labor and international armed conflict.

"You [students] are some of the most powerful people on the face of this planet," she said.

CAS sophomore Gena Doyle said she was inspired to help by Kent's anecdote of a boy in Sierra Leone whose hand was chopped off by warring rebels.

"I need to get involved somehow," Doyle said.

ISV member Caitlin Christie said she hopes the event will encourage "young people to get up off their butts," and "empower people to take action in the global community."

"I hope this event will help people to realize that they are also members of the Boston, American and worldwide community," the CAS sophomore said. "So often, clubs at BU run events separately."

Kent is involved in "Free the Children," a partner organization to "Leaders Today," that has built more than 400 schools in 23 countries around the globe and boasts itself as "the largest network of children helping children in the world."

"Our end goal is to do ourselves out of a job," Kent said.

Leaders Today, an organization based out of Toronto that works to motivate hundreds of students across North America to be active citizens, speaks annually to audiences, ranging from kindergarten students to teachers.