The Round Square International Conference 2021 was held from 20th to 23rd September 2021. The Conference was hosted online over four days on a purpose-built Round Square Gather Town Campus which combined video calling with fun features in a custom 2D world. Delegates were online for three hours each day in an environment that combined video conferencing with retro-gaming style activities. In addition there was a 1-hour orientation on the Gather platform for adult delegates on 14th September and a 1 hour orientation for student delegates on their “Day of Play” on 15th September. The Gather with Round Square Campus blended a gaming-style with the functionality of video - conferencing. Delegates joined the platform online as an avatar, through which they could navigate around a virtual conference campus and park. As delegates’ avatars met one another on the platform they connected through a video window and had a real-time conversation. The delegation of Rajmata Krishna Kumari Girls’ Public School participated in games and activities by navigating their avatar to different areas of the conference campus and park.
DAY 1 :Keynote Speaker for this day were as follows:
1. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
2. Dr. Lee Howell
3. Ade Adepitan MBE
Topics discussed:
BRAVE CONVERSATIONS.
-Definition of Brave Conversation according to every individual.
-questions based on speech made by Keynote Speakers.
The students also took a 15 minute Yoga class led by students from another RS School in their Yoga Pagodas, joined the fun games and even played a virtual piano with fellow delegates. They were also free to guide their avatar around the platform and join interesting activities.
DAY 2 :Keynote Speakers for day 2 were as follows :1. Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE
2. Alex Sheen
3. Sir David Hempleman - Adams OBE
Topics discussed :- Identity and Inclusion
- if to be accepted in today’s world
Activities such as the Yoga Pagoda and the Fire Pits were alternated with small group discussions on Picnic Blankets around the pre-work for this day.
DAY 3 : Keynote Speakers for the same were as follows :
1. Dr. Vandana Shiva
2. Ofentse Lekwane
3. Buhle Dlamini
4. Lesego Serolong
Topics Discussed :- Climate Action
- Sustainable Solutions
In the Cinema, the students at Water Bear screened short films connected with the conference topics, and at Speakers’ Corner delegates could hear more about some of the Conference Speakers. Around the Fire Pits, the students gathered in groups of up to 8 participants for mini debates on different questions related to the topic on each day.
DAY 4 :Keynote Speakers for the last day were as follows :
1. Ellen Windemuth
2. Dr. Ronnie Gladden
3. Dr. Anantha Duraiappah
4. Solli Raphael
Topics Discussed :- Ethical Leadership
- Roles played by this generation
On the Main Stage, the delegates were entertained by cultural performances from participating schools and down “On the Beach” there was also a TikTok inspired Open Mic area showcasing individual talent from across the Round Square Community.
The participants from RKK for RSIC 2021 were :1. Avni Jain
2. Ayushi Malani
3. Divya Ladha
4. Deeksha Garg
5. Hridal Sharda
6. Khushboo Vyas
7. Shauryanshi Singh
8. Sumriddhi Sharma
9. Shreya Garg
10. Shreya Jain and the RS Rep, Ms Sapna Gupta.
