Directors of Tomorrow students talk sustainability

Friday 29 October 2021

A group of Guernsey students have been given the opportunity to take part in the "extremely insightful" Directors of Tomorrow initiative.

Organised by the Ana Leaf Foundation, Directors of Tomorrow aims to inspire young people to become the island’s future.

The ten students, from The Ladies College, Blanchelande College, Elizabeth College, The Sixth Form Centre and the College of Further Education, were selected by their teachers due to their interest in business, economics or current world affairs.

The initiative, now in its eighth year, saw leading environmental economist at the Bennet Institute for Public Policy, Cambridge University, Dr Matthew Agarwala hold a discussion with the students at a special lunch held at the OGH.

Dr Agarwala’s work focuses on wealth-based approaches to measuring and delivering sustainability, wellbeing and productivity. 

Following this, the students attended the Guernsey IoD Convention in the evening where Dr Agarwala gave a keynote presentation to the Island’s business, community and political leaders.

The students also heard from a range of local experts and Tom Rivett-Carnac, one of the architects of the Paris Climate Agreement, a founding partner of Global Optimism and co-author of The Future We Choose.

Grammar Sixth Form Centre Lily Dorey said: “I found the entire night at the Convention not only exciting but also extremely insightful hearing from a range of environmentalists on how much potential our little island has to influence change.

“One of my highlights of the day was getting the opportunity to sit down with keynote speaker Matthew Agarwala and being able to ask him a range of questions to which he responded with his wealth of knowledge.”

Hayley De Putron, a Trustee of the Ana Leaf Foundation, said: “The Ana Leaf Foundation is very proud that our Directors of Tomorrow initiative continues to give young people the opportunity to engage with the island’s leaders of today.

“They learn a great deal about what it means to be a director; and they contribute in a meaningful way to important discussions about the future of our community.”