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As the taxi drove along the mile long driveway to Wiston House my stomach churned with nerves and anticipation.

Everything from Nuclear Weapons and European Expansion, to the implications of 24/7 media was covered. Understand why I was nervous yet?

A Historic House

As if the subject matter wasn't daunting enough, the house proceeded to top the feeling of awe and anticipation I already felt through its sheer grandeur and imposing place on the rolling countryside of Sussex.

Little did I realise then how much that old pile of bricks would come to mean to me and what it symbolises to many people the world over.

Wilton Park first came into existence as part of an initiative to help establish better relations after World War II. Since then its focus has broadened to cover various diverse issues while still keeping its focus on Europe.

Its aim was to bring together the disparate and disconnected parts of our world, to reconcile our differences and find a way to a brighter future through open debate and honest discussion.听

That diversity was certainly encapsulated in the young people I met at the conference. They came from as far a field as Canada, the USA, Turkey and Switzerland.

Strong Opinions

In all there were nineteen different nationalities in residence in the four days of the event.

Nonetheless, argued with an inspiring level of intelligence and articulacy. Often by individuals who spoke English as their second or third language.

However, most importantly, those opinions and ideas were always ventured with an open mind and a complete lack of ego.

When the perception of youth involvement in politics is often depicted in ranges of apathy and alienation from modern politics, Wilton Park offers an alternative view.

Within the walls of the house, in its library and conference rooms I found a passion for solving life's problems undaunted by entrenched ideas, by the fear of failure or by the difficulty of the task that lies ahead.

Restored Faith

I met a young man who in conjunction with his studies ran an anti-poverty charity, a woman who went toe to toe (quite literally) with an MP to argue Europe's future role in world politics and individuals from as varied locations as Grand Cayman and Afghanistan who gave incredible insights into their lives and their countries.听听听

I feel honoured and privileged to have met such people first hand. To say that my faith has been restored in my generation would be an understatement.

I found my way into Wilton Park through the help of a friend who himself had been to the conference a couple years earlier. He told me it was a life changing experience.

Hopefully in writing this someone else, rather than awaiting on fortune as I did, can find their own way in, and have their minds broadened and their eyes opened by the individuals they meet, just as I did.