Slam Poetry project

By 2016 BFSO Young Ambassadors

The Young Ambassadors are asked to work together on a project that addresses any ethical issue and that is focused on young people.

The 2016 Young Ambassadors felt a challenge often encountered by young members of the industry is speaking up against wrong-doing. A number of factors militate against encouraging young professionals from speaking out, including the fear of risking their job, professional relationships and reputation.

The group joined forces with slam poet Andrew Cox to create this piece.

The purpose of the campaign is to inspire young professionals to use their inner voice. Using the unique style of slam poetry, it hopes to empower young professionals to speak up if they see or hear something of concern and not be afraid to start the conversation. Further, it aims to illustrate that speaking up can be simple through effortless means such as starting a conversation. The messages in the campaign highlight how one small action can lead to another, creating a ‘snowball’ effect.



The sound of silence
Is 10,000 times more deafening than the sound of a broken oath
And 10,000 times I would have sat on fences
I would have lacked opinion
Today though, will be different
I won’t stay silent

Going through the motions
Compliance, checklists and cliched morality
Clock in and clock out of what I know and what I'm told
The moulds of ethical code
While we have our own laws,
Echoing in silence

This is the gut feeling
This is the something not sitting right with the fire that burns in your belly
The lump in your throat lodged against your chocked opinion
This is the day that will be different
As you embrace the difference
Of no longer embracing the silence
When what you know finds voice despite what you're told

Between news scandals and little white lies
Red tape and ignored ethical guidelines

Is your voice, silent?

Today, I ask you, will today be different?
Your same voice
But new sound
Found like echo in silence

Regardless of what we have been taught
Reform your perspectives
Your voice holds more weight than you know

Speak up,
When no one else wants to

Speak out,
When no one else is brave enough

Rise up,
To bring revolution to each decision you make

In the simplest of ways
Bring the greatest of change
Bring your voice
Bring what no one else can replicate

Regardless of what you have been taught
You have always had full reign over your
Intention,
Discretion
And your voice

This is my call to reignite the flame
To see your opinion breathed out
Honesty is not weakness
Just beauty missed in your journey to be
Invited
Noticed
Promoted

As we clock in and clock out of what we know and what we're told
Broken oaths are the reasons we feel the way we do
Something not sitting right with my fire
The sound of silence
Its deafening

All it needs is a snare,
An offbeat,
An accent,
The beauty in the difference
Can you hear the breaking of the silence?

I will call on my voice as I call on yours
10,000 strong we will see the difference,
The fire reignited,
See broken oaths
Be all
That are silent

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE POEM

The Oath

  • Trust is the foundation of my profession.
  • I will serve all interests in good faith.
  • I will compete with honour.
  • I will pursue my ends with ethical restraint.
  • I will help create a sustainable future.
  • I will help create a more just society.
  • I will speak out against wrongdoing and support others who do the same.
  • I will accept responsibility for my actions.
  • In these and all other matters;
    My word is my bond.