Page 19 - Luce 2020

N ews a nd Events

Growing branches The economic impact of COVID-19
of hope has further marginalised minorities and
created financial uncertainty worldwide.
Unfortunately, in regions like the Asia-
Pacific, young people are most at
2018 Senior Student risk. Without access to financial aid
Thenu Herath shares news of and resources, they’ll ultimately face
obstacles in their pursuit to enact social
her exciting new role.
change. That’s why we’re committed to
chipping away at the systemic barriers
In November 2020, after finishing a four- that restrict young people from accessing
hour Contract Law exam, I received a these opportunities.
phone call that changed my life. I had
been appointed as the new CEO of Rather than assuming we know best, as co-existing youth-led organisations,
Oaktree, Australia’s largest youth-run Oaktree collaborates with in-country ultimately learning from one another.
international development organisation. organisations in Cambodia and Timor-
Leste to carry out relevant workshops But our reach isn’t just international,
Oaktree, like its namesake, grew from that build the capabilities of young we also lobby for social and political
small beginnings. Our founders had no people. In 2019, we partnered with change in Australia. For example, every
office, no budget and only a small team KAPE, Cambodia’s largest local NGO, year we see hundreds of young Aussies
of people. They met in living rooms, cafes to establish the ‘Kampuchean Young join us for our annual ‘Live Below
and school classrooms with one goal in Leader’s Action’ (KYLA) program. This the Line’ campaign, where we try to
mind: to end extreme poverty. Since then, program upskilled university students instigate conversations on the injustice
we have grown to realise that poverty is and young professionals to further their of poverty. By eating on $2 a day over 5
a symptom of greater injustices, including own community’s development. The days, we actively rally to contextualise
a lack of opportunities and decision- goal of KYLA is to help young people the issue of poverty – and how we can
making power for young people. Today, build on their leadership skills and begin to combat it with community and
Oaktree has grown its branches to networks so they can then empower the discussion. Together, we’re continuously
support youth empowerment projects next generation of young leaders. pushing to bring an end to injustice and
across the Asia-Pacific. We upskill and promote equitable access to the world’s
build the influence of young people to In Timor-Leste, we helped establish resources.
create long-term solutions to not only ‘Foin-sa’e Lidera Hamutuk’ (Tetum for
extreme poverty, but many of the biggest ‘Youth Leading Together’) alongside As a member of the JCH alumni
challenges of our time. our partner organisation, Ba Futuru. community, I am proud to live the values
With this two-year initiative, 50 young that were instilled in me during my time
Our organisation empowers young leaders are chosen per phase to attend at College. I would love you to join me
people to lead, demand and create a intensive multi-day training to maximise on my journey. If you are interested in
more just world. We want to redesign their talents. Our aim is to inspire and coming on board as a supporter, email
the way that social change is achieved equip them with the ability to become me directly at t.herath@theoaktree.org.
by pushing for more youth-engagement strong and practical leaders within their
on the issues that impact our future. communities. They also have access to Our response to the pandemic will be
We want to empower young people program mentors who help strengthen generation-defining. Young people are
everywhere to become agents of their skills and confidence when in a pivotal position to confront the
change so that we can all live in a world advocating for youth affairs. challenges we face as they will live with
where we have equal opportunities the solutions for years to come. Young
to thrive. Encouraging youth to speak More recently in 2021, we started our people must be at the centre of change
out on the issues that affect them is most ambitious project yet: the ‘Oaktree as decision-makers and leaders in trying
one of the most powerful ways we can Youth Solidarity Fund’. This exciting new to rebuild a world that’s fair, just and
promote sustainable development. project will help unregistered grassroots sustainable.
However, in some areas, limited tools organisations in Timor-Leste become
and opportunities mean that there are self-sustainable. We see this project as a Thenu Herath (2016)
obstacles in recognising this potential. way for us to grow alongside each other CEO, Oaktree

J anet Clarke Hall 19