With that in mind, 34 girls from 13 schools across New Zealand arrived in Dunedin yesterday, intent on making a difference in their world by attending the annual Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia Making a Difference: Girls for Change Leadership Summit.
St Hilda's Collegiate principal and alliance executive member Jackie Barron said the summit was a unique opportunity for year 10-12 pupils to connect with prominent entrepreneurs and social change-makers, uncover creative leadership and entrepreneurial skills, explore effective advocacy and develop the communication skills needed to effect change.
``The summit aims to give girls the grit, motivation and self-belief to take on leadership roles and make change happen.''
Mrs Barron said the sessions and workshops would take the girls on a learning journey through to a practical project which they could implement once they left the summit.
This year, the girls would hear from some of Dunedin's leading entrepreneurs, including filmmaker and science commentator Veronica Stevenson, EdTech start-up Banqer co-founder and chief executive officer Kendall Flutey, as well as speakers from Pledge Me and Generation Zero.
The alliance is a not-for-profit organisation which advocates for and supports the distinctive work of girls' schools in their provision of unparalleled opportunities for girls.
It represents all school sectors - independent, Catholic and state - and has more than 160 member schools throughout Australia and New Zealand, representing more than 132,000 girls and 10,000 educators.
The summit ends tomorrow.
