The teen organiser of a youth conference aimed at fostering constructive conversations over difficult topics hopes the message of tolerance will spread.

Kate Tobin, a 15-year-old M5 student at Somersfield Academy, compiled a handbook of her January 19 conference held at the Devonshire school for others to follow.

She said: “It went very well — I had students from six schools in attendance to discuss race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and identity in general.

“We discussed these and the role they play in shaping our perspectives.

“We talked about diversity in schools, and what we can do to make change, as well as how we as future leaders can make progress.”

The day of talks included students from Somersfield, Saltus, Warwick Academy, the Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy and home-schooled students.

Kate had help planning the conference with Stacey Williams, Somersfield’s diversity co-ordinator.

Kate said: “Some students expressed an interest in running this sort of event, so we have made a handbook on how to run them.

“Overall, people felt very comfortable discussing contentious issues in this space.”

Ground rules helped establish an atmosphere where “everyone was respected and their views were valid”, she said.

“We all have the right to share beliefs,” Kate added.

“It’s not a matter of changing beliefs, just getting an understanding of how different people think and identifying commonalities in our differences.”

While Kate might not be able to run conferences on her own in the future, she said she hoped others would carry it on.

She said: “The handbook will make that a lot easier. It was a fair amount of work, but I was provided the templates and resources I needed.

“That will make it much easier to continue the conversation.”

To learn more or to obtain a copy of the handbook, e-mail ktobin@somersfield.net