Another notable Dwight Global travel and study opportunity took place June 24-28, 2024, at the Villars Institute Symposium, in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland.
The annual summer symposium in the Swiss Alps addressed how best to solve the world’s most complex problems using principles of systems thinking and leadership. Students and faculty across Dwight Schools attended the symposium, including two Dwight Global Online School students.
At the symposium, a total of 156 students, called “fellows,” joined young influencers, scientists, policy makers, and industry leaders to brainstorm world problems ranging from the scientific to the economic, from the political to the cultural.
The meetings showcased the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, plastics and pollutants, biodiversity preservation, fresh water access, climate change, and scientific discoveries.
Platform for Systemic Change
“The Villars Institute is a platform for systemic change and a place for intergenerational collaboration,” said Elizabeth Hutton, Dwight Global’s Head of Academics and Student Affairs. “The point of the conference is to bring networks of people together to discuss barriers to change, and then bring solutions and ideas back to their own communities.”
In addition to Hutton, Chris Barnes, Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Dwight’s Franklin School; Lesa Wong, Head of Design and Director of Global Spark Programs; and Justin Ambrose from Dwight NY, also attended.
Students Kennedy Solaru ’25, and Maria Palma ‘26, represented Dwight Global. To apply, students had to complete a leadership course and submit written answers to three prompts. Six students from other Dwight Schools, as well as faculty and school leaders, were also immersed in the learning, Hutton said.
Kennedy said as soon as she saw the words “lead” and “change” on the Villars website that she was interested in pursuing the opportunity.
“My IB Diploma Program Coordinator, Ms. Koepsell, thought I would be an excellent fit for the fellowship and encouraged me to apply,” said Kennedy. “After learning about Villars’s goals and mission, I knew this was an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Solving Complex World Problems
At the symposium, one of Kennedy’s problem-solving groups addressed the issue of water pollution in a community.
“One fellow from England shared their experience with the ongoing challenges in addressing trash dumping in the River Thames, highlighting the insufficient efforts from both private and public sectors. Another fellow from Arizona provided valuable information on how Indigenous and metropolitan communities collaborate to manage droughts and water runoff issues,” she said.
Dwight Global participants worked on campaigns to engage young people in environmental action, encouraging them to take responsibility for reducing water pollution in their local communities.
“The campaign focused on raising awareness and promoting small but impactful actions individuals can take to clean their waterways,” said Kennedy.
“We aimed to inspire our peers to proactively preserve the environment for future generations through social media, online challenges, and community events. Through this project, I learned that climate challenges are not confined by geographical boundaries or the scale at which they occur. Intergenerational collaboration is crucial for devising and implementing practical solutions to complex environmental problems,” she said.
The summer trip sparked a passion for Kennedy, who is enrolled in a fall class working toward finishing the three-part course between Minerva University and the Villars Institute. “I’ve already received accreditation in Systems Leadership Thinking through eight hours of learning during the first course,” she said.
Participants had time outside of meetings to see the mountains and town of Villar-Sur-Ollon. Each day, events took place at the historical Villars Palace, including presentations led by innovators creating initiatives that aid the Net-Zero economy, intergenerational panel discussions, themed breakout sessions with other fellows, and delicious fresh meals sourced locally.
“Everyone at the symposium experienced first hand what sustainability means on both a macro and a personal level,” said Hutton. “We were surrounded by nature, there was no plastic on site, no air conditioning, things were recycled and shared, and food was locally sourced. It was a terrific experience in every way.
