Camila Ribera Roca, Bolivia
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word sustainability?
The first thing that comes to my head when I hear “sustainability” is hope, prosperity, and I believe that the most important thing that a human being can have is empathy. And when we are sustainable, we are not just thinking of us, we’re thinking of our legacy and what we leave to the world. I believe that we come to the world with the ikigai or purpose in life, and that we have to share this purpose for the world and to contribute.
Sophie Kirana, Indonesia
What do you think is the biggest obstacle in achieving gender equality?
To me, the hinder of gender equality is only the mindset of generation. It is our job to know that we are different but we have the same value, we have the same purpose, and we have the same chance to support gender equality. And me as the brand ambassador of Rising Girls, a community empowered by UNESCO, and Women@Dior, I’m very proud to be the representative of gender equality. I would like to support women empowerment.
Alina Dementjeva, Czech Republic
Which political figure, man or woman, in the 21st century, do you admire the most and why?
If I had to choose just one person, I would choose Ursula von der Leyen. She is the first-ever woman to be a head of European Commission, and she makes me feel very proud and also she is working for sustainability, and this is a goal that I fully believe in. I commit to sustainability by working on goal number 13, which is climate action. I organize street cleanups in cities, and tree planting, because I believe every single action matters and we all can make a big difference by small things.
Sakra Guerrero, Venezuela
Share with us your thoughts about artificial intelligence.
For me, artificial intelligence is a modern tool which helps us to create a lot of things, to help us have a better life. But I also think that we also have to keep the balance between our human selves and our modern society. We have to remember that in this modern world, there’s also hearts beating. That’s what I think that we have to do with artificial intelligence.
Ewa Jakubiec, Poland
Name one of the qualities of a good leader that you believe is the most important in today’s society.
I think that a leader, a good leader, is not only honest, strong, and [a] visionary, but also emphatic. I think the best leaders are women. We need to support women as leaders and for me, the best example is Kamala Harris. Strong woman, and she showed her skills during the campaign.
Samantha Poole, New Zealand
Which environmental issue or problem are you personally concerned about the most, and why?
I believe the biggest issue right now for the environment is climate change. It affects everyone globally, our ecosystems, and our societies. I believe we need to create a change, and us doing sustainability in pageantry is a good step towards that already. We need to respect our land. We need to respect our world, because we are inheriting it for the next generation, and they deserve a beautiful planet. Thank you.
Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, Vietnam
What has been the most significant global development that affected your generation’s educational system?
I think it is the emergence of the global educational system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the COVID-19, we have to stay at home and learn online. It’s either the change for the growth of the educational developments. I hope that students will have more chances to explain and explore the opportunity for learning through education. It’s SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) number 4 — quality education.
Alba Perez, Spain
Despite seeing progress and job opportunities, many people remain poor. What can be done to reduce the poverty rate?
I have the chance of being a medical student, and this year, I’m going to graduate officially as a doctor. But, since I was a little girl, I’ve always questioned myself: Why? In another part of world, there is a woman like me with the same dreams and aspiration, but with a difference: she has no voice.
She has less rights or opportunities than me. I don’t know why but for some reason, today it is me who is here, having the opportunity to be the voice to all those women who nowadays still don’t have it.
And that’s precisely what I would like to do if I were chosen as the next Miss International. I would like to raise awareness on the importance of ensuring quality education for everyone without discrimination as the perfect tool to finish poverty. I believe we can change the world with our action, and this is the perfect platform to do it. – Rappler.com