ITI Articles

Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) recently hosted inspiring young Australian leader Hugh Evans. Events were held at venues throughout New Zealand, and over 3000 people heard Evans speak, starting with BTI’s own graduation ceremony in Tauranga for teaching and counselling graduates.  Dr Amy Edwards, Executive Dean at BTI, heard Hugh speak at a Christian Management Australia conference in Australia in 2008 and was determined to bring him to New Zealand.  ”Hugh is an inspiration to young and old. His message is one of vision and hope combined with pragmatism and real possibilities” said Dr Edwards.

Hugh Evans has just turned 26 and has already clocked up many incredible achievements both as a businessman and a humanitarian. He holds Bachelor of Law and Science degrees from Monash University in Melbourne and is currently reading a Masters of International Relations at the University of Cambridge.  He has been Young Australian of the Year, Junior Chamber Young Person of the World and was the inaugural World Vision Youth Ambassador.  He founded the Oaktree Foundation – Australia’s youth-run and youth-driven aid and development agency.

The theme of Hugh’s message was that no young person should be restricted by age and that young people can and will change the world.This message was also heard by students and staff at schools around the country as Hugh impressed crowds with his compelling and engaging presentation skills and stunned everyone with his personal story of commitment and dedication to work in the aid and development sector. Events were hosted by Bethlehem College, Elim Christian College, Kristin College and Middleton Grange – with many other secondary schools invited to send senior students to these presentations. 

Ruth Vellupillai, Head of Senior College at Middleton Grange said: “Hugh Evans highlighted for our school community the absolutely desolate existence that faces too many people throughout the world. His selfless dedication to intervening in their situations and his boldness in tracking down resourcing for his audacious schemes were an inspiration that jolted many out of their seats of comfort into a more realistic perception of their relative place of privilege, and hence of their responsibility to make an effort on behalf those in need. Hugh effectively tore down the feeble excuses we make for doing nothing, and opened eyes to the possibilities that await whosoever will take up the challenge.”

Hugh will be back in NZ to present the Global Poverty Project at public events in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Bay of Plenty from 11-16 August.