Matilde Abreu
Student. Represented Portugal at the 2023 Summer School in ValenciaA unique journey for which I am eternally grateful: this is how I describe my adventure representing Portugal at the European Leadership Academy Summer School 2023 in my neighboring country, Spain, in the beautiful city of Valencia.
When I received the email saying I had been selected, I was at home. And I'm rarely home, as I'm currently studying in Lisbon, more than 300km from my hometown. I woke up my mother, the person who has always supported me throughout my journey, and we both cried with happiness at this incredible opportunity. From then on, it was history.
Every day in Valencia was special, from the people, the activities, the speeches and workshops, our coaches, the decorations and everyone who accompanied me. I'm not going to lie, it was intense. But it was definitely something I would choose again and go with my eyes closed because it's hard to explain in words everything I experienced.
My great purpose in life is to live intensely, for myself and for those around me. And that's exactly what I experienced, people. People supporting each other, loving each other, sharing experiences, sharing smiles and tears. This is the reality of the world: the human being. And more and more, for all that we suffer from war, from climate change, from all the inequalities, we have to be sure to support each other.
I've learned a lot. I learned to listen more. I've learned to support more. I've learned to love more. After all the learning, a spectacular networking, and a huge inner transformation, I can say that the life each human being leads should be one of love, connection and above all of being good to the other. A true leader leads with purpose their group never leaving anyone behind. That is what leadership is about. We have a duty as citizens of the world to educate our generation and the one that will come after for a more sustainable world with gender equality in every field. The road is long, but although ‘alone we go faster, together we go further’.
Not only that, but I'd also like to thank you for the award you gave me, which I really appreciate. I've always considered myself to be very dynamic and creative in all the projects I've been involved with, and as an Engineer by training, about to finish a master's degree in the same field, it was extremely important to hear from a special person that I had received the Youth Innovation Star award. Being a Star for me means reaching higher than the sky, it means being able to fly further and further. And I believe in myself, in my abilities and that I can make a difference in this world!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible, firstly to my girls from the 28 other countries who accompanied me, to Berta Herrero for making this Enchanted World possible and for being our Fairy Godmother, to all the present Alumnae, to Nuno Machado and Kristien Van den Eynde for being the best coaches I could ask for and who listened to me, to Claudia de Castro Caldeirinha for being an incredible Portuguese Woman, and for me, a role model and finally to Han WEN and Huawei for sharing the principles of this incredible company that means a lot to me.
I am eternally grateful to this school, and to the projects that will come from here.
Girls can!!!
