On May 28, the first version of the “School of Community Leadership and Student Participation” program was held. This initiative, carried out by the Barrio Universitario Network – made up of the Diego Portales University (UDP), the Metropolitan Technological University (UTEM) and the Alberto Hurtado University (UAH) -, sought to strengthen collaborative leadership and teamwork between the students, in order to generate a positive social impact in their communities.
Along these lines, an environment of trust was promoted in which mutual knowledge and appreciation of diversity were key aspects. This allowed the students to not only develop their leadership skills, but also gave them the impetus to forge a solid identity, establishing support networks that will strengthen their connection with the community.
The meeting was attended by 46 undergraduate students, representing the three houses of study (20 were UAH students). During the first module, experiences related to participation were explored, as well as the personal experience and the meaning that it entails. In a second moment, the concepts of culture, identity and community were delved into, analyzing how these elements are intertwined in the context of student organizations.
Finally, a practical exercise focused on communication, conversation and active listening was carried out. Both modules combined practical activities with theoretical support material, promoting dialogue, teamwork and mobility within the space designated for the event.
Reflections on the day
Alan Kramp Lazo is a second-year student studying Political Science and International Relations, and described his experience at the Leadership School as “rewarding and enriching.” For him, participating in this institution has meant more than acquiring theoretical knowledge, since it has been an opportunity to develop new skills, learn to plan and execute activities successfully. “Getting out of our comfort zone was a learning experience in itself. Added to this is the possibility of working in teams, reinforcing dialogue, debate and planning strategies to execute in an organization. Recognizing my own abilities and those of my team has been essential to carry out joint projects effectively,” Kramp highlighted.
Regarding the importance for the UAH of promoting these spaces, Juan Williams, director of the Student Participation Unit (UPE), stated that these instances are “tremendously relevant to support student organizations in the challenging role of building organizations.” and its sustainability.” In that sense, he pointed out that these actions are bidirectional, where the school functions as an invitation for the student community itself to make the learning process its own. “On this first day we have confirmed that the participants made sense and took the proposed work seriously,” summarized Williams.
For her part, Javiera Paz, in her role as Student Leadership coordinator, stated that these activities are fundamental for the students, since they provide them with opportunities to explore and consolidate their identity. “By interacting with students from other universities and from different realities, they identify challenges that allow them to discover and develop their strengths. Furthermore, by sharing knowledge and experiences outside the UAH community, they strengthen their sense of belonging,” she concluded.
Below, we share with you some records of this experience. Stay tuned for new calls!
