First published 3 August 2016
"The Faculty is delighted to support Duku in attending the 2016 United Nations Summer Youth Assembly in New York. He is an outstanding role model," said Professor Humphrey, Executive Dean of the QUT Faculty of Law.
"Duku was born in a refugee camp and is dedicated to using his educational opportunities to help others overcome the disadvantage that comes with the grinding poverty he has personally experienced," he said.
The Youth Assembly is recognised as the largest and longest running youth conference at the United Nations (UN), with more than 100 countries being represented over the course of the past 17 assemblies.
Held annually, the event focuses on empowering youth leaders and young professionals in the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a focus that resonates strongly with Duku and his desire for societal change.
“I applied for this opportunity because I understand that poverty alleviation is one of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Being born in a refugee camp, I was exposed to poverty at an early stage and have firsthand experience growing up in that sort of environment.”
“I too was one of those children until my circumstances changed and my family was granted a refugee visa to come to Australia. With this eye opening experience, I have dedicated my life to making this world a better place by finding ways to alleviate poverty,” he said.
The QUT Faculty of Law Founders’ Scholarship Fund provides financial support through scholarships to first-year law students experiencing financial hardship, as QUT believes that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background, is entitled to strive for academic and personal excellence.
Duku's strong commitment towards community activism will make him an asset at this year’s assembly.
“I hope to gain the knowledge and skills to help marginalised people in our society because my main goal is to give back to the community.”
“From the mentorship and community, I hope to gain the wisdom of people who are ahead of me in life and use their knowledge and network in a socially responsible way to connect with other like-minded individuals,” he said.
Duku has taken his first steps towards achieving this goal, working as a motivational speaker and co-founder of The Shining Snowflake Initiative.
Despite coming from diverse countries, backgrounds and cultures, their commonality of a desire for change and their world-changing potential to do so, is what makes the Youth Assembly such a success.
Follow Duku's journey at the Youth Assembly on his blog.
Please consider making a gift to the QUT Faculty of Law Founders’ Scholarship Fund today. Every gift, no matter what size, makes a difference, and brings the Faculty closer to being able to provide all Law students in need with the opportunity to realise their dreams.
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