Student selected for conference

    One of Murray State’s own has been given the green light to fight against environmental issues and represent an entire generation of girls at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.
    Sarah Kelty, junior from Louisville, Ky., was selected as a delegate to the conference and will serve as a representative of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
    The United Nations-sponsored conference tackles critical social issues such as environmental protection, in a friendly and safe place for countries to meet and improve climate change through a wide representation of people, Kelty said.
    At the conference, Kelty will lobby with representatives from Congress and participate in assemblies, she said.
    As a campus advocate for a greener earth and the vice president of the Murray Environmental Student Society, Kelty said she realizes the need for change throughout the world in order to save the planet.
    Environmental issues affect everyone, but young people will be most affected by any changes that occur within the next several years, Kelty said.
    “Future generations will be affected more than anyone,” Kelty said. “That’s why I think it’s so important to give a voice to the youth of the world.”
    Bob Long, professor of nonprofit leadership, said he agrees with Kelty that conserving the environment is vital to future generations, but knows Kelty will be one of the youngest representatives at the conference.
    Long said he is more than confident Kelty will be an outstanding representative not only for Murray State, but for young people as a whole.    
    As a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, Kelty said the organization has provided several jobs and experiences, including a humanitarian trip to Mexico and workshops dedicated to wildlife and international development.
    When she was working in Mexico through the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, she heard about the conference from a friend and she was encouraged to apply after Girl Scouts nominated her for the delegate position.
    After a rigorous application process, Kelty said WAGGS chose her as their delegate.
    Kelty will attend the conference with world leaders and others who have demanded a comprehensive, ambitious and fair international climate change deal to be arranged, Long said. Several representatives from different countries come together to discuss eco-friendly solutions to climate change, he said.
    Long said he advocated Kelty’s appointment as the delegate for this conference because he knows it will be great experience for her and the University.
     “It is exciting that one of our own will be involved in the solution to a global issue,” Long said. “It is an honor for the University to have a student give a voice to the youth of the world.”
    Contact Steele at stephanie.steele@murraystate.edu.
 

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