Last week I was invited by Ambassador Barzun to attend the Town Hall Speech and Q&A with President Obama together with 500 other young Leaders. Due to reasons beyond my control, I could not attend, however this week I was part of an interactive workshop he held for Young Leaders in UK (YLUK) focusing on U.S foreign & Domestic policy. 

What an enlightening workshop! In the short space of time we had, the Ambassador covered condensed versions of topics of frustration/concern/confusion including:

Police brutality, Impact of Religion: Abortion debate; Private healthcare in US; Middle East policy; Oppression of minority groups; Global health; North Carolina policy on LGBT; The role of Media on racism & inclusivity (Donald Trump); Gun laws; & Climate change. 

He also highlighted the values, freedom & opportunities that are all part of the American dream, as we were focusing on America.

YLUK shares the same principles and values as JCI, giving young people a voice that empowers them to create positive change in communities. 

I am making the most out of development opportunities in JCI by actively participating in events held by partner organisations such as YLUK and exchanging value with them through promoting and supporting each other's events.

Without JCI and its relationship with YLUK, I would not have had the opportunity to be invited to meet President Obama and also network with Ambassador Barzun and all the wonderful like-minded young Leaders. JCI is surely a game-changer for me and I would like to encourage any young person reading this, to be part of this awesome global network of active citizens.

Epi Mabika, JCI London Team Member--