Christchurch, NZ and Parkland, Fl
Youth Leadership Summit
-They met to create a working document for key steps in starting, growing and sustaining a youth movement.
After the Christchurch, NZ earthquake in 2010, the University of Canterbury’s Student Volunteer Army was formed as a grassroots response to contribute to the clean-up. There was another earthquake in 2011 and SVA responded even stronger. Wanting to continue to make a difference in their communities, the SVA was formalized as a permanent and sustained student run club at UC.
"Following the February 14 2018 shooting at Marjory MSD High School, parallels were drawn by Nancy Gilbert and her friends between the courageous response of its students and the actions of the SVA after the Christchurch earthquakes."
"New Zealand’s Ambassador to the U.S., Tim Groser, has thrown his support and some funding behind the planned visit to Christchurch. He visited Marjory Stoneman Douglas last month (May 2018) with Nancy Gilbert, who lived in Wellington for the two years her husband Mark was U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand (2015-2017). On their return to America after the election of President Donald Trump, Nancy Gilbert was appointed this country’s honorary consul to Florida. It was her idea to contact the Parkland students to see how New Zealand could help."
Interestingly, David Hogg and Emma Gonzalez, two of the most vocal students, did not attend the summit.
TEN LESSONS ON STARTING & SUSTAINING A YOUTH MOVEMENT
Section 6.2.4 Actions towards achieving local & nationwide gun law reform.
• Registering people to vote.
• Contacting and meeting with legislators.
• Holding school rallies to get students involved in politics.
• Educate ourselves and others on the current political climate.
• Reforming school elections to reflect the American electoral system.
https://sva.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SVA-MSD-Summit-Document-Final.pdf
https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/world/parkland-school-shooting-survivors-are-coming-to-new-zealand/
https://sva.org.nz/sva-parkland-sustaining-a-youth-movement/
https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news/2018/student-volunteer-army-to-reconnect-with-parkland-students-in-florida-.html