Cognition

International youth forum on Disaster Resilience for UNESCO

Cognition Education has appointed Chris Henderson as Programme Manager in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As a part of Axiata Foundation's Young Talent Program, Chris will be facilitating the implementation of the Ax-Factor Curriculum. At its core, this curriculum aims to develop and nurture global citizenship and critical literacy skills in a cohort of young Malaysian leaders.

Recently, Chris designed and co-facilitated an international youth forum on Disaster Resilience for UNESCO. A world first, over one hundred young leaders from across the Asia Pacific region - all survivors of natural disaster - came to Christchurch to discuss, analyze and strategize ways in which young people can better engage with the disaster preparedness and recovery process. The forum included diverse and challenging activities such as community based service learning, art and dance therapy for trauma reduction, and the exploration of disaster as a real opportunity for social and environmental change in our communities. This overwhelmingly successful event serves as a pilot for what will become a global series of disaster focused youth forums. Chris will continue to play a supporting role in this initiative.