Beacon Academy proudly hosted the Global Awareness Conference (GAC) 2026, Voices Without Borders, the third edition of this flagship event, reflecting the school’s commitment to developing globally minded, articulate, and socially responsible young leaders. This year’s conference was particularly significant, as it was entirely conceptualised, organised, and delivered by Beacon Academy’s Year 11 students — a remarkable demonstration of student initiative and leadership in action.
Welcoming participants aged 13 to 17 from schools across Jakarta, Bogor, and Surabaya, the conference created a vibrant platform for international dialogue and cross-cultural engagement. The diversity of participating schools fostered meaningful exchanges of ideas, strengthening the spirit of global collaboration that lies at the heart of Beacon Academy’s educational philosophy.
What set GAC 2026 apart was its fully student-led structure. Entrusted with full responsibility, Year 11 students managed every aspect of the conference, from programme design and speaker coordination to logistics, communications, and session facilitation. Taking ownership of an event of this scale demanded strategic planning, teamwork, resilience, and professionalism. By navigating real deadlines, managing expectations, and solving challenges independently, students gained invaluable practical experience far beyond the traditional classroom setting.
The conference was officially opened by keynote speaker Mr Sanjay Bharwani, Managing Director of Human Resources at Danantara Indonesia. In his address, he shared insights from his professional journey, encouraging students to move beyond limitations in communication and to ensure that their voices are heard across boundaries. He highlighted the importance of overcoming both internal barriers — those we create within our own minds — and external obstacles that often stand in our way, inspiring participants to communicate with confidence and conviction.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in interactive workshops, structured group discussions, courtroom simulations, and crisis-response scenarios. These immersive activities required them to analyse complex information, evaluate multiple perspectives, and make collective decisions under pressure. By exploring themes such as cultural diversity, global communication, and ethical leadership, the conference encouraged students to strengthen their critical thinking skills while developing empathy and open-mindedness.
For Beacon Academy, GAC 2026 represents more than a successful school event. It exemplifies the school’s belief in experiential learning — empowering students not only to understand global issues intellectually, but to engage with them confidently and responsibly. By entrusting learners with genuine responsibility, Beacon Academy continues to nurture independence, leadership, and a deep sense of global awareness.
The success of the Global Awareness Conference 2026 stands as a compelling testament to what young people can accomplish when given meaningful trust and opportunity. Through vision, dedication, and collaboration, Beacon Academy’s Year 11 students proved that they are not merely participants in global conversations — they are emerging leaders ready to shape them.
