Working Together to Make a Change
By: Catherine Cox
The theme for KUNA 2019 is unity. Unity, at its core, is the state of being joined as a whole, and in the context of this conference, unity is working together to achieve a common goal.
An exemplary image of “unity” was displayed at the education fair. Various countries were lined up next to each other, each with different cultural attire and resolutions. However, each set of representatives had a commonality: they came to this conference prepared to make a change. What better way to create impact than working together?
In an experimental interview, ambassadors from Germany and China were asked questions about their individual bills and how they could collaborate with each other in order to achieve their goals.
China ambassador Serenity Rodgers described their resolution as a way to promote “water preservation, because over a third of China’s population doesn’t have access to clean water.” Rogers also stated their idea is aimed towards “purifying the water by using water purification plants so we are trying to request money for it.”
Similarly, German ambassadors Owen Hopkins, Lacy Fields, and Jake Wenz gave a brief overview of their resolution. “We are trying to terminate nuclear power plants and go with renewable energy,” said Fields. If this were to be enacted, the ambassadors predicted a decrease in pollution and an increase in environmental preservation.
Interestingly, a common theme was noticed between these polar countries: protecting the environment. In response to this discovery, China ambassador Serenity Rodgers commented on its importance by saying, “Our environment is where we live,” German ambassador Owen Watkins agreed by saying, “What’s more important: money or lives?”
After becoming familiar with each others’ resolutions, the countries were then asked in what ways they could work together to advocate environmental preservation. “I think since China has such a big industry in manufacturing, it would be very beneficial for China and Germany to start testing out products for both of them to start cleaning up the environment,” said Rodgers. With the proposition of this innovative idea, German representatives readily agreed.
In the end, this interview between China and Germany had a galvanizing impact. It showed that two very different countries can come together in an effort to support each others’ ambitions. In short, unity. This can be directly translated into KUNA’s environment. People from all around the Commonwealth have come together to discover new ways they can improve their world. If Kentucky can unite, so can the world.
