Amanda - Homeward Bound Antarctica

I have been selected as one of 80 women from around the world to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime all-female expedition to Antarctica. Support me on my journey with Homeward Bound 2018 - every little bit helps!

WHAT IS HOMEWARD BOUND?

Homeward Bound is a ground-breaking leadership initiative for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). It aims to equip a global collaboration of women in science to lead, influence and contribute to policy and decision-making as it informs the future of our planet.

Homeward Bound is a year-long program to develop leadership, strategic and communication capabilities, and the program concludes with a three-week intensive training voyage to Antarctica. The program aims to create a global network of 1000 women in STEMM over a period of 10 years.

WHY ANTARCTICA?

This expedition will take place against the backdrop of the Antarctic Peninsula, a region that is showing one of the fastest responses to climate change anywhere on the planet. The study of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and their roles in the climate system, provides critical insights into global-scale change, and the influence of human activities on the environment. The continent is iconic as a wild, beautiful and unique environment that has captured the imagination of many leaders in the past. By taking this journey together we envision the experience will create strong bonds, inspire action and lead to extraordinary collaborations between the women on board the ship.

WHY WOMEN?

Globally, women are underrepresented in leadership positions and change has been incredibly slow, despite increasing dialogue and process/systems changes. Women are emerging from college degrees as significant percentages of graduates and they take up a significant percentage of our workforce. However, they are in the profound minority globally when it comes to executive decision-making roles. By equipping women with leadership and strategic skills, a sound understanding of the science, and a strong purposefully developed network, they will be able to impact decisions and policy for a more sustainable future.

ABOUT ME

I am honoured to have been selected to join Homeward Bound in 2018. I am an environmental and humanitarian engineer based in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. I have been working for Opus International Consultants for the past three years and also volunteer in the humanitarian development sector with Engineers Without Borders New Zealand. I have a strong interest in using engineering knowledge to confront the global challenges of poverty, social inequity and climate change. I am excited to be part of the Homeward Bound program and a global network of women leaders all working towards a more sustainable future for our planet!

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on the Homeward Bound program please see below:

Homeward Bound website: http://homewardboundprojects.com.au

Team NZ - Homeward Bound Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TeamNZHB18/

Homeward Bound Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/homewardboundprojects/

HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED