Danny delivers in style at the UN
Richards Bay teen speaks on science and technology to the entire assembly at the United Nations.
THANKS in part to a rugby jersey, a Richards Bay teenager has had the opportunity to travel to America and share ideas with some 250 future leaders from all corners of the globe.
Danny Meiring (15), who grew up in the town and was a prefect at Richards Bay Primary in Meerensee, is now a pupil at Glenwood High, where his leadership skills were recognised.
He was selected to participate in the Global Young Leaders Conference and travelled to Washington and New York where he represented his country with distinction.
High school students from across the USA and 145 other countries were introduced to the field of international relations, cross-cultural communication and global leadership.
In Washington, Danny – the youngest of all the attendees – was voted as president of his commission and chosen to deliver an address to the entire conference.
The official workload was offset by visits to historic sites including the White House, Lincoln Memorial and Martin Luther King Memorial.
The tour then moved to New York where the young delegates continued their discussions on various topics and also had the chance to see sights like Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square.
Highlight for Danny was being selected to speak on science and technology to the entire assembly at the United Nations – a perfect subject for the grade 9 pupil who intends studying chemical engineering after matric.
Having gained confidence, experience and a gaze into the type of leadership that will shape the planet’s future, he has also forged friendships with like-minded youth of his own generation.
But it would not have happened without help from a number of sources, including his old primary school who held a civvies day, and his family and friends who helped collected funds for the trip.
Courtesy of Marius Jonker, an autographed Shark rugby jersey was raffled, with Danny’s brother Devon (10) spending many hours at shopping centres selling tickets.
‘Thank you so much to all those who made this dream come true. It has been a real blessing,’ said Danny.
