The Power of Taking Responsibility: Lessons From My Journey as a Global Schools Advocate

Written by Baia Bolkvadze, Global Schools Alumnus

This blog is part of the 'Once An Advocate Always An Advocate' Blog Series

When I became a Global Schools Program Advocate, I felt both tremendous motivation and an overwhelming sense of fear. Questions swirled in my mind: How well would I fulfill my responsibilities? What would I bring to the school and students? How would I change our present and future toward sustainability?

Lesson 1: Take responsibility

Lost in these thoughts, I discovered my first and most crucial lesson: the power of taking responsibility. I learned that you must be the change you wish to see in the world. The only way to achieve this is to take responsibility for the results you want, be brave, take action, and inspire others around you.

This lesson allowed me to discover new skills and hidden strengths within myself. Taking responsibility as an advocate meant leaving my comfort zone and putting in maximum effort. I discovered my abilities to adapt to change, organize complex projects, plan strategically, persuade others, and engage in deep reflection. This first step allowed me to spend the following six months working on myself and helping improve others' lives. It taught me that if you believe in yourself and your mission, you give others strength and motivation to act.

Lesson 2: Do not wait

This is how one memorable school project was born: a debate championship on Sustainable Development Goals for students. As a debate coach, I felt double responsibility about this project. Despite my fears, I implemented this project with my colleague, creating unforgettable experiences for participants and the community.

This showed learners that their voice matters, creates change, and their participation is important in building a sustainable future. I learnt that you do not need to wait for others but to take responsibility, and you will find the strength to fulfill it.

Lesson 3: Be imaginative and innovative

 My second lesson was breaking imaginative boundaries of the mind. We needed to conduct a workshop for the school community. I wanted to reach each person's heart and mind, sharing inspiration with practical knowledge.

I wanted sustainable development to become as important for them as it became for me.

I realized I needed a creative plan. This led to creating a memory game about SDGs and other diverse activities. After the meeting, one colleague said, "I used to hear about sustainable development so often it annoyed me, but now I understand its importance and I'm excited to use these ideas in my lessons."

Lesson 4: Collaborate

Several colleagues asked me to help plan integrated projects. To reach others' hearts and minds, break standard frameworks and to be creative. One of the projects included a school exhibition about SDGs I organized in collaboration with the art teacher. Approximately 100 students enthusiastically participated, creating colorful posters, imaginative stories, comics, and other creative products related to goals most relevant to them.

Conclusion 

I would never have understood the tremendous power within one person without the Global Schools Program and this transformative experience. The present is in our hands; therefore, our sustainable future depends entirely on us. The choice you make today creates tomorrow. Choose wisely and act boldly.