Over the course of my Laidlaw scholarship experience, I have gained many insights into what being an ethical leader and a global citizen means.

Participating in the Oxford Ethical Leadership Course greatly renewed my understanding of ethical leadership. I have learned the different elements of ethical leadership, including accountability, courage, collaboration and humility. Some of them are aspects that I have not associated with leadership before this course, including transcendence and temperance. This course has allowed me to explore how character traits can influence leadership effectiveness differently and help me recognize that excess or deficiency of certain virtues can lead to vices. This also pushed me to examine my own leadership style and identify areas for personal growth by self-assessment. The questionnaires and reflective practice helped me find out that I still have room for improvement in the temperance and justice department, and I have been developing my character in these aspects by small tasks every day. I hope these practices can eventually lead to greater virtues and balanced traits for leading ethically and responsibly.

My participation in the Laidlaw Conference really broadened my perspective on global issues. I had the opportunity to listen to a wide range of presentations on global issues such as disability rights, climate change and mental health. I am very impressed by my fellow scholars who focused on issues affecting countries other than their own, as they displayed a global perspective that I have not considered before. Listening to the data they gathered and the solutions they have drafted, I saw that people from different places have widely different perspectives on the same issue, and the different viewpoints can complement each other to create a well-rounded solution. After the Laidlaw Conference, I understood that contributing to global solutions involves research, advocacy, and collaborative problem-solving beyond borders.

In the coming summer, I will participate in the leadership in action project with MakeSense. I have researched the climate change issue in Mexico beforehand, and it opened my eyes to how global issues impact other communities differently than mine. In Mexico’s case, the effect of climate change on water shortage and farming is much greater than what I feel in Hong Kong. This knowledge has motivated me to take more action to tackle this issue, hopefully I will be able to make a difference in my leadership in action project.

In the future, I would aim to learn more about global issues. I will stay informed of different global issues through internation news and engaging with diverse communities by learning new languages and meeting others from a different culture.

I also plan to participate in more community service. Volunteering with NGOs focused on global issues like climate change and mental health support can allow me to make a real change. In terms of leadership, I will try to lead by example ---- promoting inclusivity, fairness, and transparency in all my endeavors. I will continue to use the Virtuorsity app to further develop my character and apply the ethical frameworks I have learned in decision making.

Finally, I believe that commitment to ongoing personal growth is important. Through journaling and mentorship under ethical leaders, I will regularly reflect on my actions. This ensures that I remain accountable and proactive in my journey as a responsible global citizen and leader.

My scholarship journey has been transformative, teaching me the importance of ethical leadership and global citizenship. By applying what I have learned and remaining dedicated to growth, I hope to make a positive impact in my community and beyond, leading with integrity and compassion.