To Be a Change Maker

In my eyes, being a change-making agent means being an active participant in the workings of social life. It means being committed to open-mindedness and constantly searching for ways to enlarge our intellectual horizons. The pursuit of research and education is therefore an inextricable aspect of being a change-agent; without expanding our comprehension of the realities of the world, we cannot effectuate concrete change in the fields that require our utmost attention. I feel I have an enlightened perspective on the socio-political, cultural, economic and environmental issues that are witnessed daily in urban hotspots throughout the world.

Partaking in solution-oriented interactive dialogue is a prospect that is truly compatible with my aspirations in social action, especially when coupled with the opportunity to be a part of this rich network of change-makers at Serve The City Paris. After all, being a change-maker implies being a team player and cooperating with others to achieve outcomes that maximize social welfare. In our contemporary age of self-interest, polarization and identity politics, the commitment to solidarity is all the more important. Moreover, through collective action, it becomes much easier to overcome feelings of despair at not being able to effectuate large-scale change. The significance of grassroots movements in bringing about positive alterations in the lives of people on the margins of society is vital. The tangible positive products of STCP volunteers are one true example of this.

Understanding these, I believe, is the first step to being a responsible change-making citizen in the twenty-first century. As the youth, we must be prepared to learn how to be civically engaged to tackle the complex challenges of tomorrow. This begins today.

The belief that cities are the fundamental pillars of future sustainable development is a motivation for me. Recognizing the importance of social justice and the ecological transition in urban environments are deeply interconnected to humanitarian projects. Having witnessed the implications of alienation and social exclusion of immigrants in my country of origin, Turkey, I now wish to play my role in mitigating this phenomenon in my current country of residence, France. As another international hotspot for migration, I am cognizant of the fact that France requires inclusive social development for all of its inhabitants to preserve stability in its social fabric. Joining SAVE at Serve The City Paris will be the best way for me to contribute to efforts to do so.

Whether it be volunteering in the P.A.I.R. Programme and assisting in the social integration of vulnerable refugee communities, or participating in weekly food distributions, I know that the potential to learn how to be an engaged citizen is huge with this program. I also believe that my SAVE Capstone Project would be a beneficial way to coalesce the skills, information, and observations I have gathered throughout the program and through my studies to develop my social action project.

I believe that I would emerge from this program as a greatly transformed individual equipped with the necessary tools, such as skills in entrepreneurship and ‘social services leadership’, to enact the tangible improvements I wish to see in society.

Joining Serve The City would only be a step of a lifelong commitment I have to working for sustainable development and immigration, and I am excited to begin this journey in Paris.

Lara Harmankaya