Henry David Thoreau once said, “Things do not change, we change.” This valuable life lesson was the theme of the recent four-day Junior Regional Round Square Conference hosted by The Millennium School Dubai. The conference brought together 176 student and 17 teachers from eighteen schools across India, Armenia, Bangladesh and Oman, and challenged deligates to view the world with new perspective and openness to change.

 As Henry David Thoreau once said, “Things do not change, we change.” This valuable life lesson was the theme of the recent four-day Junior Regional Round Square Conference hosted by The Millennium School Dubai. The conference brought together 176 student and 17 teachers from eighteen schools across India, Armenia, Bangladesh and Oman, and challenged deligates to view the world with new perspective and openness to change.

The conference began with a welcome address from The Millennium School Principal, Michael Guzder. Chief Guest of the occasion, Consul General of India, Sanjay Verma spoke on the importance of change within oneself and one’s surroundings, and Director of Asian schools and Chief Academic Officer for GEMS India, David Wilson followed with vital information on the need for change in the modern world of materialistic interests.

The main address was an inspiring talk by Oksana Tashakova from the Academia of Human Potential. The organization, which specializes in training big businesses to transition successfully into the global economy, uses the motto, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.” Oksana spoke to students about ‘real world’ challenges and strategies for dealing positively with change. Delegates split into ‘Barazza’, which means ‘public gathering’ in eastern Africa, to discuss important points from the speeches and presentations.

The challenging sessions continued on days two and three with a leadership orientation program, lead by Principal Guzder, and a talk by Yazad Darasha, Managing Director of Zawya, who spoke about dreams and the paths by which they can be accomplished. The final day saw the delegates join a clean-up drive organised by the Dubai Municipality at Mushrif Park.

Reinforcing the spirit of global unity in the conference, The Millennium School organized various cultural workshops including theatre, art and craft, music and cookery. The closing ceremony saw flawless performances by the delegates, and a spectacular Indian dance, ‘Prakriti Swarupa’ performed by the host school, brought the curtains down on the conference.

Local students and teachers played ‘tour guides’ when the young delegates ventured out in the evenings to the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Atlantis Hotel and the Burj Khalifa.

The tremendous success of the event was owed to a great program designed by The Millennium School, and the many parents who supported and encouraged student participation.