As an active participant in student politics during his undergraduate studies at McGill University, Paul Raynault recognized the need for an international forum to address topics impacting our shared humanity and create open dialogue. Raynault noticed the lack of a forum in which people can deliberate on global issues as world citizens rather than as representatives of specific countries. While Raynault pursued a career in Mathematics and Game Theory with IBM, his vision of a more widespread global democracy endured. His career was rewarding, however, as he developed a long-term, game theory-based planning model for the company that earned him the Outstanding Contribution Award.
While working, Raynault’s commitment to human rights and politics endured as he co-founded and acted as the President of the Englewood on the Palisades Charter School and served as a Board Member for the following organizations: U.S. Term Limits, Foundation for Free Enterprise, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center and the Humanist Institute.
In 1999 Raynault retired as a founder and manager of a computer sales business to concentrate his efforts and attention towards materializing his dream of a global democratic forum. As a first step towards this goal, Raynault reached out to students and established the Student World Assembly in 2003. Recognizing that student activists have been at the forefront of progressive social movements throughout history, Raynault wanted the youth of the world to spearhead this initiative. Raynault understood that the world still needs the motivation of these youth to address current global challenges such as devastating genocides, environmental degradation and electoral frauds. Raynault’s Student World Assembly would empower student activists around the world as they prepare to lead our communities and nations towards sustainable solutions.
Paul Raynault has energetically spearheaded SWA, becoming personally involved in each phase of its development. Since its inception SWA has enabled student activists to take the lead in spreading awareness of pressing issues, from human trafficking and global poverty to HIV/AIDS and environmental sustainability. Its members from nations as diverse as Togo, India, and Japan educate themselves about these issues through resources provided on the website; participate in the discourse online, in their chapters, and at international conventions; and take action to address these issues in the form of educating the public, raising awareness, and lobbying the government. In a very short period, Raynault was proud to see that SWA has emerged as a leading international student organization and has created an impressive grassroots movement of social activism.
Paul Raynault’s vision and his work on behalf of SWA have been inspirational to many students. The mission of SWA has now grown to reach young leaders from 150 countries around the world. In West Africa, SWA members have exhibited tremendous development, with several of our regional representatives using their experience with SWA to help them work closely with government officials and even win election to important youth-related posts; in Pakistan, young SWA leaders have internalized the ideals of the organization and relentlessly pushed their government towards democratizing reforms; and here in the United States, SWA members have utilized the organization's vast international network to communicate with their peers worldwide and gain valuable insights about life abroad.
Since 2003, Student World Assembly has experienced continued growth in membership, the creation of exciting new chapters in different corners of the world, and bold initiatives and awareness-raising events spearheaded by our members. Our organization has also launched an exciting new program, the Youth Activist Leadership Training (YALT) to empower and assist students in their growth as youth leaders. With the success of these initiatives, we are confident that Raynault’s vision for an inclusive and educated student coalition will endure.
Let us pay tribute to this dedicated man and the imprint he has left on the world. |
