Being selected to travel to the United Kingdom was truly a dream come true—something
I had craved for many years. My excitement grew even more when I learned that I would not only
be attending but also presenting my project at the Eighth Annual DEN International Student
Conference, organized by the Democratic Engagement Network (DEN).
The theme of the conference, “Inclusive Education for Global Change: Student
Engagement in Sustainable Development,” was especially interesting to me because it offered the
opportunity to learn from students of various disciplines who are applying their knowledge to
sustainable development efforts.
My team decided to present on the topic “Sustainable Development through Human
Security: Placing Human Development at the Core,” which focused on the seven dimensions of
human security. We emphasized the importance of human development as a central element of
sustainable progress and highlighted that it would be oddly incomplete to prioritize the well-being
of future—yet unborn—generations while ignoring the challenges people face today.
We were also able to directly apply our academic backgrounds—International Relations,
Psychology, and Sociology & Anthropology—to our research topic. This interdisciplinary
approach made the working process enjoyable and allowed us to gain well-rounded perspectives.
I would like to express my gratitude for the incredible opportunity to attend this conference, which
allowed me to apply my studies and experiences in a real-world context. While it was a bit
challenging. However, it was also a valuable chance for personal and academic growth.
One memorable moment was when a British man asked a well-crafted question about the
situation in Thailand during the late 1970s. I was pleasantly surprised by his knowledge and the
depth of his question but I’m glad that I was able to give him an answer. After the presentation, I
felt that by being here and representing my country, I truly belonged here.
During the conference, I listened to many interesting topics presented by students from
Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and other members of the DEN network. The conference was divided into
six panels, each consisting of separate presentations grouped under themes such as “Poverty,
Inequality, and Public Health,” “Feminism, Gender, and Empowerment,” and “Cultural Studies,
Heritage, and Identity.” I gained extensive knowledge during the conference, including
presentations directly addressing issues in Vietnam, such as sustainable fashion and the circular
economy. This kind of learning is essential in the field of International Relations, which requires
an understanding of other countries. Everyone’s dedication to research and sharing their findings
truly contributed to our collective learning.
After the conference, I developed many valuable skills such as public speaking, ad hoc
problem-solving, cross-cultural understanding, critical thinking, networking, adaptability, and
time management. I also gained a variety of new experiences—trying Mediterranean food served
during the evening event after the conference, participating in a global quiz with a fun and
enthusiastic DEN student on our team, enjoying live music and cultural performances, and
listening to a captivating farewell poem. I was truly grateful and appreciative of it all.
London is a place where I met many wonderful people and made great friends—it felt like
home, a place I truly hope to visit again. I’m thankful for the opportunity to meet all of you and to
experience life in this beautiful city. Thank you for the warm welcome and the thoughtful care I
received during this journey. The conference wouldn’t have been complete without any one of
you. Thank you for all your hard work and assistance. Finally, this has been one of the most
rewarding summer I’ve ever had, and it will remain in my heart and memories forever.
Paretantong Prasopsin, Kasetsart University, Thailand