Round Square International Conference 2021 ——Blue Skies and Brave Conversations

The Round Square International Conference 2021 was successfully hosted online over four days on a purpose-built Round Square Gather Town Campus which combines video calling with fun features in a custom 2D world from 20th to 23rd September 2021. Delegates were online for three hours each day in an environment that combines video conferencing with retro-style gaming. BCCSC delegate joined the whole conference.

Each day was framed around a different conversation topic connected to two of the RS IDEALS, with a programme including icebreaker activities on the campus, a Keynote session, followed by baraza breakouts, student presentations and some free time either before or after the core session to take part in a choice of student-led activities on offer around the virtual campus (e.g. livestream yoga/ art exhibition/ treasure hunts/ online team games etc).

BCCSC student delegates participated with great enthusiasm. They created their own Avatars and communicated students from all over the world, including students from our sister school. Vice Principal Laurel Schwartz, High School Lead Dr. Karin and Round Square coordinator Grace Li joined the conference and supported the students. Both teachers and students were engaged and inspired by this innovative virtual opportunity for Round Square folk from around the world to connect and collaborate. While we all look forward to the opportunity to gather again physically - at conferences, exchanges and service projects - there is now another string to our bow with this wonderful virtual experience for Round Square students.