I wake up excited every morning well almost every morning depending on how
almost every morning depending on how
almost every morning depending on how much sleep I’ve got but I get up excited
much sleep I’ve got but I get up excited
much sleep I’ve got but I get up excited to learn more and take action to see
to learn more and take action to see
to learn more and take action to see more access and opportunity in the world
more access and opportunity in the world
more access and opportunity in the world regardless of where we’re born what
regardless of where we’re born what
regardless of where we’re born what color we are born and in particular for
color we are born and in particular for
color we are born and in particular for today if we’re born with a Y chromosome
today if we’re born with a Y chromosome
today if we’re born with a Y chromosome or not now I I was born with Y
or not now I I was born with Y
or not now I I was born with Y chromosome and in Australia very
chromosome and in Australia very
chromosome and in Australia very peacefully and I had access to you know
peacefully and I had access to you know
peacefully and I had access to you know my right to health education my right to
my right to health education my right to
my right to health education my right to play as a child and beautiful native
play as a child and beautiful native
play as a child and beautiful native Australian desert flowers but
Australian desert flowers but
Australian desert flowers but unfortunately the same can’t be said for
unfortunately the same can’t be said for
unfortunately the same can’t be said for this young Afghan refugee girl I met a
this young Afghan refugee girl I met a
this young Afghan refugee girl I met a few years ago worst whilst working in
few years ago worst whilst working in
few years ago worst whilst working in polio eradication in Pakistan and I
polio eradication in Pakistan and I
polio eradication in Pakistan and I think it’s about time that we can fix at
think it’s about time that we can fix at
think it’s about time that we can fix at least one of the small inner qualities
least one of the small inner qualities
least one of the small inner qualities that she faces which is gender equality
that she faces which is gender equality
that she faces which is gender equality and so hopefully we can go on a little
and so hopefully we can go on a little
and so hopefully we can go on a little bit of a journey with me as a
bit of a journey with me as a
bit of a journey with me as a five-year-old with Melua flower through
five-year-old with Melua flower through
five-year-old with Melua flower through to today where I still care about the
to today where I still care about the
to today where I still care about the world just as much as I did as a
world just as much as I did as a
world just as much as I did as a five-year-old and working towards gender
five-year-old and working towards gender
five-year-old and working towards gender equality see I grew up in a large family
equality see I grew up in a large family
equality see I grew up in a large family I’m the youngest of six children in my
I’m the youngest of six children in my
I’m the youngest of six children in my family and I grew up loving sports and
family and I grew up loving sports and
family and I grew up loving sports and in a pretty typical Australian kind of
in a pretty typical Australian kind of
in a pretty typical Australian kind of way as you can tell by my beautiful
way as you can tell by my beautiful
way as you can tell by my beautiful accent or my lack of dress code ahead
accent or my lack of dress code ahead
accent or my lack of dress code ahead and and so from from that time you know
and and so from from that time you know
and and so from from that time you know I I knew not to be mean or abusive
I I knew not to be mean or abusive
I I knew not to be mean or abusive towards women but just by having been
towards women but just by having been
towards women but just by having been brought up as a male in Australia and I
brought up as a male in Australia and I
brought up as a male in Australia and I think pretty much anywhere in the world
think pretty much anywhere in the world
think pretty much anywhere in the world when it came to gender equality I just
when it came to gender equality I just
when it came to gender equality I just didn’t get it so it first took me to
didn’t get it so it first took me to
didn’t get it so it first took me to have the lens of inequality put in front
have the lens of inequality put in front
have the lens of inequality put in front of my eyes before I could see it in
of my eyes before I could see it in
of my eyes before I could see it in other parts of the world and I first got
other parts of the world and I first got
other parts of the world and I first got that lens of inequality in 2001 when I
that lens of inequality in 2001 when I
that lens of inequality in 2001 when I traveled to a small mountainous country
traveled to a small mountainous country
traveled to a small mountainous country in Central Asia called Kyrgyzstan also
in Central Asia called Kyrgyzstan also
in Central Asia called Kyrgyzstan also one of the hardest countries to spell in
one of the hardest countries to spell in
one of the hardest countries to spell in the world only one vowel in all of that
the world only one vowel in all of that
the world only one vowel in all of that and I went there to go on climb
and I went there to go on climb
and I went there to go on climb mountains but whilst I was there I also
mountains but whilst I was there I also
mountains but whilst I was there I also decided to do some volunteering and not
decided to do some volunteering and not
decided to do some volunteering and not volunteering in a beautiful city in
volunteering in a beautiful city in
volunteering in a beautiful city in eastern Kyrgyzstan surrounded by
eastern Kyrgyzstan surrounded by
eastern Kyrgyzstan surrounded by mountains and next to a crystal pier at
mountains and next to a crystal pier at
mountains and next to a crystal pier at Clear Lake lake issyk-kul um and whilst
Clear Lake lake issyk-kul um and whilst
Clear Lake lake issyk-kul um and whilst I was doing this volunteering I always
I was doing this volunteering I always
I was doing this volunteering I always say that my education started the day I
say that my education started the day I
say that my education started the day I finished University because I had some
finished University because I had some
finished University because I had some of my biggest life lessons impressions
of my biggest life lessons impressions
of my biggest life lessons impressions and inspirations from this amazing group
and inspirations from this amazing group
and inspirations from this amazing group of women and one of their grandmother’s
of women and one of their grandmother’s
of women and one of their grandmother’s so these we were all 23 years old we’re
so these we were all 23 years old we’re
so these we were all 23 years old we’re all teachers but I felt that I was so
all teachers but I felt that I was so
all teachers but I felt that I was so immature and lacking in wisdom compared
immature and lacking in wisdom compared
immature and lacking in wisdom compared to these amazing women see they they
to these amazing women see they they
to these amazing women see they they knew how to look after themselves but
knew how to look after themselves but
knew how to look after themselves but also the people around them and they did
also the people around them and they did
also the people around them and they did this all on the salary of 14 US dollars
this all on the salary of 14 US dollars
this all on the salary of 14 US dollars for one month and so that meant they
for one month and so that meant they
for one month and so that meant they were incredibly resilient resourceful
were incredibly resilient resourceful
were incredibly resilient resourceful they knew how to build community around
they knew how to build community around
they knew how to build community around them and these equalities have always
them and these equalities have always
them and these equalities have always tried to continue on with me ever since
tried to continue on with me ever since
tried to continue on with me ever since then but this wasn’t so much an issue of
then but this wasn’t so much an issue of
then but this wasn’t so much an issue of gender inequality a bigger insight came
gender inequality a bigger insight came
gender inequality a bigger insight came to me a few months later when I was
to me a few months later when I was
to me a few months later when I was working as a teacher in South Korea and
working as a teacher in South Korea and
working as a teacher in South Korea and my salary was 40 US dollars for one hour
my salary was 40 US dollars for one hour
my salary was 40 US dollars for one hour and I remember at the end of that first
and I remember at the end of that first
and I remember at the end of that first week of working and the salary and the
week of working and the salary and the
week of working and the salary and the so the money was in my hand that really
so the money was in my hand that really
so the money was in my hand that really hit me I just thought well hang on why
hit me I just thought well hang on why
hit me I just thought well hang on why why does the world work like this you
why does the world work like this you
why does the world work like this you know I didn’t work longer I didn’t work
know I didn’t work longer I didn’t work
know I didn’t work longer I didn’t work harder and I certainly wasn’t smarter
harder and I certainly wasn’t smarter
harder and I certainly wasn’t smarter than my friends in Kyrgyzstan who just
than my friends in Kyrgyzstan who just
than my friends in Kyrgyzstan who just taught me so much about life basically
taught me so much about life basically
taught me so much about life basically the only difference was was that I was
the only difference was was that I was
the only difference was was that I was born where I was born and my friends
born where I was born and my friends
born where I was born and my friends were born where they were born having
were born where they were born having
were born where they were born having different access and opportunity in the
different access and opportunity in the
different access and opportunity in the world and so ever since then I’ve
world and so ever since then I’ve
world and so ever since then I’ve continued to ask myself the question of
continued to ask myself the question of
continued to ask myself the question of why and to do my best to learn more and
why and to do my best to learn more and
why and to do my best to learn more and take action to see more equality access
take action to see more equality access
take action to see more equality access and opportunity for anyone anywhere
and opportunity for anyone anywhere
and opportunity for anyone anywhere again regardless of where they’re born
again regardless of where they’re born
again regardless of where they’re born or what gender they happen to have
or what gender they happen to have
or what gender they happen to have received or identify with and I think it
received or identify with and I think it
received or identify with and I think it can be that easy and I think it’s about
can be that easy and I think it’s about
can be that easy and I think it’s about time that maybe we can all join in to do
time that maybe we can all join in to do
time that maybe we can all join in to do these things and so since
these things and so since
these things and so since 2001 in Kyrgyzstan have been extremely
2001 in Kyrgyzstan have been extremely
2001 in Kyrgyzstan have been extremely privileged to travel to more than 85
privileged to travel to more than 85
privileged to travel to more than 85 countries around the world in the last
countries around the world in the last
countries around the world in the last 15 years working in social justice in
15 years working in social justice in
15 years working in social justice in many many different ways in fact the
many many different ways in fact the
many many different ways in fact the three hardest questions I get asked is
three hardest questions I get asked is
three hardest questions I get asked is what’s your job where do you live and
what’s your job where do you live and
what’s your job where do you live and how do you get paid nope no simple
how do you get paid nope no simple
how do you get paid nope no simple answers especially for my poor mother
answers especially for my poor mother
answers especially for my poor mother miss do still ask me those questions but
miss do still ask me those questions but
miss do still ask me those questions but but once I had this insight into
but once I had this insight into
but once I had this insight into inequality I started to notice that
inequality I started to notice that
inequality I started to notice that everywhere and one of the biggest
everywhere and one of the biggest
everywhere and one of the biggest inequalities are soon noticed was my
inequalities are soon noticed was my
inequalities are soon noticed was my ability as a young single male traveling
ability as a young single male traveling
ability as a young single male traveling continuously around the world and that
continuously around the world and that
continuously around the world and that was a combination of having been brought
was a combination of having been brought
was a combination of having been brought up in Australia having access to income
up in Australia having access to income
up in Australia having access to income and and the privilege to do so but also
and and the privilege to do so but also
and and the privilege to do so but also as a male because I’ve always felt the
as a male because I’ve always felt the
as a male because I’ve always felt the travel that I was doing was always just
travel that I was doing was always just
travel that I was doing was always just a bit easier or maybe with less concerns
a bit easier or maybe with less concerns
a bit easier or maybe with less concerns and fear than if I’d been a female
and fear than if I’d been a female
and fear than if I’d been a female ultimately I felt like had a sense of a
ultimately I felt like had a sense of a
ultimately I felt like had a sense of a greater sense of freedom and didn’t have
greater sense of freedom and didn’t have
greater sense of freedom and didn’t have to have as many concerns going up hiking
to have as many concerns going up hiking
to have as many concerns going up hiking in the mountains by myself sleeping on
in the mountains by myself sleeping on
in the mountains by myself sleeping on the floors of strangers and I never once
the floors of strangers and I never once
the floors of strangers and I never once had to read up on the next country I was
had to read up on the next country I was
had to read up on the next country I was going to to see how well they treated
going to to see how well they treated
going to to see how well they treated young single males which there isn’t in
young single males which there isn’t in
young single males which there isn’t in Lonely Planet guide books where there
Lonely Planet guide books where there
Lonely Planet guide books where there are four femurs unfortunately and so my
are four femurs unfortunately and so my
are four femurs unfortunately and so my point here is is that women you know
point here is is that women you know
point here is is that women you know when we were doing what I was doing but
when we were doing what I was doing but
when we were doing what I was doing but I was probably just doing a bit easier
I was probably just doing a bit easier
I was probably just doing a bit easier with a little more freedom and it was
with a little more freedom and it was
with a little more freedom and it was society around me that was really
society around me that was really
society around me that was really dictating the way I approach traveling
dictating the way I approach traveling
dictating the way I approach traveling the trust I put into people and my
the trust I put into people and my
the trust I put into people and my perceived risks when really travel
perceived risks when really travel
perceived risks when really travel considerations it shouldn’t matter if we
considerations it shouldn’t matter if we
considerations it shouldn’t matter if we are male or female and something I’ve
are male or female and something I’ve
are male or female and something I’ve noticed across the board in all my years
noticed across the board in all my years
noticed across the board in all my years of traveling in many many cultures is my
of traveling in many many cultures is my
of traveling in many many cultures is my privilege as a male you know the freedom
privilege as a male you know the freedom
privilege as a male you know the freedom for me to be able to travel as I’ve just
for me to be able to travel as I’ve just
for me to be able to travel as I’ve just mentioned less societal pressures to get
mentioned less societal pressures to get
mentioned less societal pressures to get married and have children as I say this
married and have children as I say this
married and have children as I say this is 38 years old with our children and
is 38 years old with our children and
is 38 years old with our children and our marriage and also not having to face
our marriage and also not having to face
our marriage and also not having to face extra challenges in a male-dominated
extra challenges in a male-dominated
extra challenges in a male-dominated world and so you know really society and
world and so you know really society and
world and so you know really society and the way we are brought up has a
the way we are brought up has a
the way we are brought up has a significant impact on gender roles and
significant impact on gender roles and
significant impact on gender roles and the quality and so always had to kind of
the quality and so always had to kind of
the quality and so always had to kind of deconstruct my privilege
deconstruct my privilege
deconstruct my privilege mail for me to better understand what it
mail for me to better understand what it
mail for me to better understand what it means and the way that I approach the
means and the way that I approach the
means and the way that I approach the world and it doesn’t have to be this way
world and it doesn’t have to be this way
world and it doesn’t have to be this way there’s no reason why females should
there’s no reason why females should
there’s no reason why females should have more fear walking alone at night
have more fear walking alone at night
have more fear walking alone at night than a male in exactly the same
than a male in exactly the same
than a male in exactly the same situation women shouldn’t have to face
situation women shouldn’t have to face
situation women shouldn’t have to face extra and endure it surrenderer extra
extra and endure it surrenderer extra
extra and endure it surrenderer extra challenges to rise up in patriarchal
challenges to rise up in patriarchal
challenges to rise up in patriarchal systems and structures and I think it’s
systems and structures and I think it’s
systems and structures and I think it’s about time to do anything in the world
about time to do anything in the world
about time to do anything in the world it should not matter which body parts we
it should not matter which body parts we
it should not matter which body parts we do or don’t have and I honestly think it
do or don’t have and I honestly think it
do or don’t have and I honestly think it is that simple so what are some of the
is that simple so what are some of the
is that simple so what are some of the solutions especially for males to work
solutions especially for males to work
solutions especially for males to work towards more gender equality in the
towards more gender equality in the
towards more gender equality in the world
world
world so I created a concept that helps frame
so I created a concept that helps frame
so I created a concept that helps frame these big issues like gender equality
these big issues like gender equality
these big issues like gender equality but also to think of practical and
but also to think of practical and
but also to think of practical and tangible actions for them and it’s
tangible actions for them and it’s
tangible actions for them and it’s called teaspoons of change and these are
called teaspoons of change and these are
called teaspoons of change and these are personal choices decisions and actions
personal choices decisions and actions
personal choices decisions and actions that have a positive impact on people in
that have a positive impact on people in
that have a positive impact on people in the planet creating positive change it’s
the planet creating positive change it’s
the planet creating positive change it’s a bit of a mouthful just remember the
a bit of a mouthful just remember the
a bit of a mouthful just remember the tea spoon but for me I’d always been
tea spoon but for me I’d always been
tea spoon but for me I’d always been taught you know what are the things that
taught you know what are the things that
taught you know what are the things that I can do for others without ever really
I can do for others without ever really
I can do for others without ever really having to look at the things I do myself
having to look at the things I do myself
having to look at the things I do myself and I think tea spoons have changed
and I think tea spoons have changed
and I think tea spoons have changed gives us the opportunity to double our
gives us the opportunity to double our
gives us the opportunity to double our positive impact in the world while not
positive impact in the world while not
positive impact in the world while not only looking at the things that we do
only looking at the things that we do
only looking at the things that we do for others which is great but also the
for others which is great but also the
for others which is great but also the things that we can do in our own lives
things that we can do in our own lives
things that we can do in our own lives the way we approach world and society
the way we approach world and society
the way we approach world and society and the choices that we make on a daily
and the choices that we make on a daily
and the choices that we make on a daily basis and so the concept starts were
basis and so the concept starts were
basis and so the concept starts were their selves as individuals looking at a
their selves as individuals looking at a
their selves as individuals looking at a multitude of small bit significant
multitude of small bit significant
multitude of small bit significant actions and I kind of refer to this as
actions and I kind of refer to this as
actions and I kind of refer to this as like a piece of paper using both sides
like a piece of paper using both sides
like a piece of paper using both sides using one side is good but using both
using one side is good but using both
using one side is good but using both sides is so much better and that’s kind
sides is so much better and that’s kind
sides is so much better and that’s kind of a teaspoon of change as well for the
of a teaspoon of change as well for the
of a teaspoon of change as well for the environment and so I will share with you
environment and so I will share with you
environment and so I will share with you some examples for me personally if my
some examples for me personally if my
some examples for me personally if my teaspoons are change for gender equality
teaspoons are change for gender equality
teaspoons are change for gender equality so it took me a long time to kind of
so it took me a long time to kind of
so it took me a long time to kind of break through my privilege as a male and
break through my privilege as a male and
break through my privilege as a male and to really understand it and I remember I
to really understand it and I remember I
to really understand it and I remember I resisted at first justifying it to
resisted at first justifying it to
resisted at first justifying it to myself well men get it tough too so why
myself well men get it tough too so why
myself well men get it tough too so why should females get special treatment but
should females get special treatment but
should females get special treatment but as I spoke to FEMA’s listened and really
as I spoke to FEMA’s listened and really
as I spoke to FEMA’s listened and really started to analyze society around me
started to analyze society around me
started to analyze society around me finally begin to understand and realize
finally begin to understand and realize
finally begin to understand and realize women aren’t asking for special
women aren’t asking for special
women aren’t asking for special treatment they’re only asking for equal
treatment they’re only asking for equal
treatment they’re only asking for equal treatment and that was though almost an
treatment and that was though almost an
treatment and that was though almost an epiphany for me and all the women are
epiphany for me and all the women are
epiphany for me and all the women are going yeah of course that’s right
going yeah of course that’s right
going yeah of course that’s right another one for me was to undo society
another one for me was to undo society
another one for me was to undo society around me and this is quite tricky know
around me and this is quite tricky know
around me and this is quite tricky know I had had inherited all these white male
I had had inherited all these white male
I had had inherited all these white male ways of thinking and doing I really had
ways of thinking and doing I really had
ways of thinking and doing I really had to sort of undo them and try and fit
to sort of undo them and try and fit
to sort of undo them and try and fit back into the world around me that does
back into the world around me that does
back into the world around me that does that and that’s something that I try and
that and that’s something that I try and
that and that’s something that I try and continue to do even today and I hope for
continue to do even today and I hope for
continue to do even today and I hope for males that can start today or continue
males that can start today or continue
males that can start today or continue to move you along because it’s about
to move you along because it’s about
to move you along because it’s about time we did but it is a bit difficult
time we did but it is a bit difficult
time we did but it is a bit difficult task to unpick all those sorts of things
task to unpick all those sorts of things
task to unpick all those sorts of things as we go along for me I hate that you
as we go along for me I hate that you
as we go along for me I hate that you know there’s so many little lessons they
know there’s so many little lessons they
know there’s so many little lessons they had to turn myself into to better see
had to turn myself into to better see
had to turn myself into to better see gender equality like ensuring I had
gender equality like ensuring I had
gender equality like ensuring I had female perspectives in my life the
female perspectives in my life the
female perspectives in my life the things I care about and the things that
things I care about and the things that
things I care about and the things that I do in also in all aspects of my life
I do in also in all aspects of my life
I do in also in all aspects of my life personally professionally academically
personally professionally academically
personally professionally academically and socially all of these different
and socially all of these different
and socially all of these different factors and also you know I had to
factors and also you know I had to
factors and also you know I had to really ask myself am I just you know
really ask myself am I just you know
really ask myself am I just you know thinking about these things or am I
thinking about these things or am I
thinking about these things or am I actually acting on them I’ve been to
actually acting on them I’ve been to
actually acting on them I’ve been to gender equality to workshops in a number
gender equality to workshops in a number
gender equality to workshops in a number of different countries around the world
of different countries around the world
of different countries around the world you go and get all the right facts and
you go and get all the right facts and
you go and get all the right facts and figures and all the the vocabulary that
figures and all the the vocabulary that
figures and all the the vocabulary that you’re meant to learn with other males
you’re meant to learn with other males
you’re meant to learn with other males and okay yep good now we’re gender
and okay yep good now we’re gender
and okay yep good now we’re gender equality because we don’t say this and
equality because we don’t say this and
equality because we don’t say this and we do say that but it didn’t always
we do say that but it didn’t always
we do say that but it didn’t always translate into mindsets and attitudes or
translate into mindsets and attitudes or
translate into mindsets and attitudes or when we get home later that night and so
when we get home later that night and so
when we get home later that night and so our big challenge is to go beyond the
our big challenge is to go beyond the
our big challenge is to go beyond the words that we change and put it into
words that we change and put it into
words that we change and put it into action and my friend Hilary from an
action and my friend Hilary from an
action and my friend Hilary from an organizers that she’s a founder of the
organizers that she’s a founder of the
organizers that she’s a founder of the female voice I think puts this directly
female voice I think puts this directly
female voice I think puts this directly but beautifully when she says real
but beautifully when she says real
but beautifully when she says real change comes when we challenge the
change comes when we challenge the
change comes when we challenge the things staring us square in the face I
things staring us square in the face I
things staring us square in the face I think that’s a very direct but beautiful
think that’s a very direct but beautiful
think that’s a very direct but beautiful thing to say and so for me to help me in
thing to say and so for me to help me in
thing to say and so for me to help me in all of this I also use a little tool of
all of this I also use a little tool of
all of this I also use a little tool of analyzing my thoughts my actions and
analyzing my thoughts my actions and
analyzing my thoughts my actions and society around me and as my balance of
society around me and as my balance of
society around me and as my balance of help versus harm for gender equality so
help versus harm for gender equality so
help versus harm for gender equality so for me an example of a harm is often to
for me an example of a harm is often to
for me an example of a harm is often to speak too quickly too often and without
speak too quickly too often and without
speak too quickly too often and without ensuring female perspectives when my
ensuring female perspectives when my
ensuring female perspectives when my teaspoon of change of help needs to be
teaspoon of change of help needs to be
teaspoon of change of help needs to be made sure that there are female
made sure that there are female
made sure that there are female perspectives and inputs
perspectives and inputs
perspectives and inputs in group conversations and decisions
in group conversations and decisions
in group conversations and decisions another help for me is a pretty simple
another help for me is a pretty simple
another help for me is a pretty simple idea but I think it has quite a big
idea but I think it has quite a big
idea but I think it has quite a big impact in the world and that is to know
impact in the world and that is to know
impact in the world and that is to know good people doing good things in gender
good people doing good things in gender
good people doing good things in gender equality I make a point of knowing lots
equality I make a point of knowing lots
equality I make a point of knowing lots of great people doing great things for
of great people doing great things for
of great people doing great things for gender equality the he fishy campaign
gender equality the he fishy campaign
gender equality the he fishy campaign with Emma Watson or could project who’s
with Emma Watson or could project who’s
with Emma Watson or could project who’s looking at eradicating female genital
looking at eradicating female genital
looking at eradicating female genital cutting fair agenda from Australia the
cutting fair agenda from Australia the
cutting fair agenda from Australia the female voice as I mentioned before seven
female voice as I mentioned before seven
female voice as I mentioned before seven women in Nepal and many many many others
women in Nepal and many many many others
women in Nepal and many many many others own always locally and globally and I’m
own always locally and globally and I’m
own always locally and globally and I’m sure the room is full of people as well
sure the room is full of people as well
sure the room is full of people as well who are doing this so our task is to get
who are doing this so our task is to get
who are doing this so our task is to get to know them support them and
to know them support them and
to know them support them and importantly share them with others so
importantly share them with others so
importantly share them with others so these can come from government
these can come from government
these can come from government initiatives NGOs movies social media all
initiatives NGOs movies social media all
initiatives NGOs movies social media all these different areas and so our point
these different areas and so our point
these different areas and so our point is to make sure that we get to know them
is to make sure that we get to know them
is to make sure that we get to know them support them and share them with others
support them and share them with others
support them and share them with others so one that I want to share with you
so one that I want to share with you
so one that I want to share with you today that looks at good people doing
today that looks at good people doing
today that looks at good people doing good things is this year’s world’s
good things is this year’s world’s
good things is this year’s world’s largest lesson so the world’s largest
largest lesson so the world’s largest
largest lesson so the world’s largest lesson is one lesson each year for every
lesson is one lesson each year for every
lesson is one lesson each year for every school teacher and student in the whole
school teacher and student in the whole
school teacher and student in the whole world that’s dedicated to equality and I
world that’s dedicated to equality and I
world that’s dedicated to equality and I was in London a couple of months ago and
was in London a couple of months ago and
was in London a couple of months ago and I hope create the lesson for this year
I hope create the lesson for this year
I hope create the lesson for this year which is called from where I stand and
which is called from where I stand and
which is called from where I stand and it’s dedicated to gender equality and
it’s dedicated to gender equality and
it’s dedicated to gender equality and there’s an important task in this lesson
there’s an important task in this lesson
there’s an important task in this lesson students fill out a survey anonymous
students fill out a survey anonymous
students fill out a survey anonymous survey only depicting their country and
survey only depicting their country and
survey only depicting their country and their age and then they have to put a
their age and then they have to put a
their age and then they have to put a tally of the decision-makers the gender
tally of the decision-makers the gender
tally of the decision-makers the gender of the decision-makers in their life
of the decision-makers in their life
of the decision-makers in their life community and country according to this
community and country according to this
community and country according to this this survey thousands of students have
this survey thousands of students have
this survey thousands of students have taken part in this this survey already
taken part in this this survey already
taken part in this this survey already and the data was used for International
and the data was used for International
and the data was used for International Day of the girl on October the 11th and
Day of the girl on October the 11th and
Day of the girl on October the 11th and it’s still being captured but
it’s still being captured but
it’s still being captured but unfortunately what this map shows us is
unfortunately what this map shows us is
unfortunately what this map shows us is that the global average of the ratio of
that the global average of the ratio of
that the global average of the ratio of decision-makers in the lives of our
decision-makers in the lives of our
decision-makers in the lives of our students in the world is 31 68
students in the world is 31 68
students in the world is 31 68 female-to-male and so what this
female-to-male and so what this
female-to-male and so what this essentially tells us is that males are
essentially tells us is that males are
essentially tells us is that males are still the bigger
still the bigger
still the bigger decision-makers for the students in that
decision-makers for the students in that
decision-makers for the students in that lives and that doesn’t make for gender
lives and that doesn’t make for gender
lives and that doesn’t make for gender equality and so our challenge is to not
equality and so our challenge is to not
equality and so our challenge is to not just look at these statistics but
just look at these statistics but
just look at these statistics but actually act upon them as well and so
actually act upon them as well and so
actually act upon them as well and so people can still participate in this
people can still participate in this
people can still participate in this lesson so if you have access to students
lesson so if you have access to students
lesson so if you have access to students or schools etc then get them to add
or schools etc then get them to add
or schools etc then get them to add their voice to this important task so we
their voice to this important task so we
their voice to this important task so we can highlight these things and most
can highlight these things and most
can highlight these things and most importantly act upon them as we go along
importantly act upon them as we go along
importantly act upon them as we go along decision-makers need data and they need
decision-makers need data and they need
decision-makers need data and they need excuses to make good choices so let’s
excuses to make good choices so let’s
excuses to make good choices so let’s provide them now each of these are all
provide them now each of these are all
provide them now each of these are all small but significant teaspoons of
small but significant teaspoons of
small but significant teaspoons of change actually fit into a greater
change actually fit into a greater
change actually fit into a greater context of global context the global
context of global context the global
context of global context the global goals for sustainable development and
goals for sustainable development and
goals for sustainable development and global goal number five dedicated to
global goal number five dedicated to
global goal number five dedicated to gender equality but here’s the thing is
gender equality but here’s the thing is
gender equality but here’s the thing is that when we act personally and locally
that when we act personally and locally
that when we act personally and locally we are impacting globally and we’re
we are impacting globally and we’re
we are impacting globally and we’re working towards solving some of the big
working towards solving some of the big
working towards solving some of the big issues for all of humanity but it has to
issues for all of humanity but it has to
issues for all of humanity but it has to start in our own homes and with
start in our own homes and with
start in our own homes and with ourselves and in teaspoons have change
ourselves and in teaspoons have change
ourselves and in teaspoons have change is kind of the metaphor that I think
is kind of the metaphor that I think
is kind of the metaphor that I think that can help us get there and for me to
that can help us get there and for me to
that can help us get there and for me to always think of new teaspoons of change
always think of new teaspoons of change
always think of new teaspoons of change and analyzing society around me I’d love
and analyzing society around me I’d love
and analyzing society around me I’d love this lyric from musician Michael Franti
this lyric from musician Michael Franti
this lyric from musician Michael Franti and he says are you a part of the
and he says are you a part of the
and he says are you a part of the pollution or are you a part of the
pollution or are you a part of the
pollution or are you a part of the solution and I think this is a really
solution and I think this is a really
solution and I think this is a really good lens the way to look at the world
good lens the way to look at the world
good lens the way to look at the world and and see how we are going to be a
and and see how we are going to be a
and and see how we are going to be a part of this and then if we’re not doing
part of this and then if we’re not doing
part of this and then if we’re not doing anything then we’re being a part of the
anything then we’re being a part of the
anything then we’re being a part of the pollution to make sure that stuff that
pollution to make sure that stuff that
pollution to make sure that stuff that up if we’re being a part of the
up if we’re being a part of the
up if we’re being a part of the pollution so let’s really analyze what
pollution so let’s really analyze what
pollution so let’s really analyze what we are doing and what we can do because
we are doing and what we can do because
we are doing and what we can do because any action does count but just there’s a
any action does count but just there’s a
any action does count but just there’s a few things to keep in mind as we do this
few things to keep in mind as we do this
few things to keep in mind as we do this often we have to be brave in the face of
often we have to be brave in the face of
often we have to be brave in the face of backlash maybe from other men and
backlash maybe from other men and
backlash maybe from other men and probably even some females when we do
probably even some females when we do
probably even some females when we do stand-up on gender equality but just
stand-up on gender equality but just
stand-up on gender equality but just remember women have had to endure this
remember women have had to endure this
remember women have had to endure this often violently throughout the course of
often violently throughout the course of
often violently throughout the course of history my own girlfriend Serafina said
history my own girlfriend Serafina said
history my own girlfriend Serafina said to me that men are an important key to
to me that men are an important key to
to me that men are an important key to turn the tide on gender equality we need
turn the tide on gender equality we need
turn the tide on gender equality we need to make sure that we raise their voice
to make sure that we raise their voice
to make sure that we raise their voice and in support so that we can all live
and in support so that we can all live
and in support so that we can all live in a world without fear and share the
in a world without fear and share the
in a world without fear and share the same opportunities
same opportunities
same opportunities freedom and so that conversation with my
freedom and so that conversation with my
freedom and so that conversation with my girlfriend I think is a good starting
girlfriend I think is a good starting
girlfriend I think is a good starting point for all conversations to be open
point for all conversations to be open
point for all conversations to be open brave and honest men we need to really
brave and honest men we need to really
brave and honest men we need to really listen and learn on what we can do for
listen and learn on what we can do for
listen and learn on what we can do for gender equality so we can see that in
gender equality so we can see that in
gender equality so we can see that in our own homes our workplaces and in
our own homes our workplaces and in
our own homes our workplaces and in society in general we also need to
society in general we also need to
society in general we also need to embrace and celebrate positive shifts in
embrace and celebrate positive shifts in
embrace and celebrate positive shifts in our society and I think a great example
our society and I think a great example
our society and I think a great example of this was last year with Canadian
of this was last year with Canadian
of this was last year with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he ensured gender parity across his cabinet
ensured gender parity across his cabinet
ensured gender parity across his cabinet and reporters said to him why and his
and reporters said to him why and his
and reporters said to him why and his simple answer was because it’s 2015
simple answer was because it’s 2015
simple answer was because it’s 2015 well it’s 2016 so it’s about time we saw
well it’s 2016 so it’s about time we saw
well it’s 2016 so it’s about time we saw gender parity for all cabinets and
gender parity for all cabinets and
gender parity for all cabinets and society and there’s a formula that I
society and there’s a formula that I
society and there’s a formula that I love to use with teaspoons are changed
love to use with teaspoons are changed
love to use with teaspoons are changed in today for gender equality and that is
in today for gender equality and that is
in today for gender equality and that is to know that any action even small
to know that any action even small
to know that any action even small actions multiplied by lots of people can
actions multiplied by lots of people can
actions multiplied by lots of people can and will create big change and this is
and will create big change and this is
and will create big change and this is how we solve some of the biggest issues
how we solve some of the biggest issues
how we solve some of the biggest issues in society isn’t just by clicking our
in society isn’t just by clicking our
in society isn’t just by clicking our fingers and making it happen but being a
fingers and making it happen but being a
fingers and making it happen but being a part of that change teaspoons have
part of that change teaspoons have
part of that change teaspoons have changed at a time in particular for
changed at a time in particular for
changed at a time in particular for gender equality so as we look back at
gender equality so as we look back at
gender equality so as we look back at this photo of the young Afghan refugee
this photo of the young Afghan refugee
this photo of the young Afghan refugee girl you know it’s about time that she
girl you know it’s about time that she
girl you know it’s about time that she and all other females grew were born
and all other females grew were born
and all other females grew were born into and grew up in a world with the
into and grew up in a world with the
into and grew up in a world with the same access and opportunity that was
same access and opportunity that was
same access and opportunity that was available to me as a boy more than 30
available to me as a boy more than 30
available to me as a boy more than 30 years ago I hope we can all add our
years ago I hope we can all add our
years ago I hope we can all add our little teaspoons of change because it’s
little teaspoons of change because it’s
little teaspoons of change because it’s about time that we work together to make
about time that we work together to make
about time that we work together to make gender equality reality thank you very
gender equality reality thank you very
gender equality reality thank you very much
much
much [Applause]
”
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