A WARRINGTON headteacher has just returned from Iraq where he was the keynote speaker at a youth leadership conference.
John Sharples, head at Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School, is the founder of HOBY UK and the conference was the first ever organised by HOBY Iraq.
HOBY is a youth leadership organisation, originally launched in America by the actor Hugh O’Brian.
Mr Sharples (pictured) founded the UK branch in 2007 and since then it has been training Year 10 students from secondary schools across the North West.
Last year, Hanaa Ghazawi from HOBY Iraq attended HOBY UK’s seminar at Lancaster University and was inspired to organise a similar event in Iraq to develop the leadership potential of the young people.
The plan came to fruition and Mr Sharples was delighted to be invited to be part of the event.
He said: “I know how difficult it is to get something like this off the ground and I am very impressed by what the HOBY Iraq team has achieved.
“It was a fantastic seminar. All the young people have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have gone away inspired to make a positive difference in their community. One boy said to me, ‘This has been the best two days of my life!’ and I think that really summed up the impact of the event. “
Mr Sharples also met up with a number of organisations working to build social capital in the region and commented on the mistaken perceptions of the country.
He said: “Everyone was concerned when I said I was visiting Iraq. Of course there are unsafe places, but Erbil in Kurdistan certainly isn’t one of them. It’s a thriving, vibrant city with ancient traditions and a rich culture. Different religions and cultures live peacefully side by side and everyone I met went out of their way to show me this and make me feel welcome.”
He found the youth particularly inspiring. “The young people of Iraq have been through a lot, but they really love their country and have a vision for a better future there. They are passionate about playing a part in making this a reality.”
The links between HOBY UK and HOBY Iraq are now firmly established and the two organisations are planning further partnership working in the future.
Headteacher's trip to Iraq
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
