how did that become this?

That the one-off event for 300 London school kids is now a leading educational programme in over 99 countries, reaching over a million students this academic year alone.

It blows my mind.

It started with colleague/friend/literal-genius Emily Evans being convinced that our Economist Events team could run a "conference" for young people. We volunteered our time, the students loved it, job done. But Emily didn't stop there. Instead she built The Economist Educational Foundation, shaping a team of brilliant, passionate and deeply talented people who have built global communities, influenced policy and curriculum and every single week create an exceptional classroom lesson on something important in the news.

And while there's always a buzz seeing an ad I created in The Economist, this one feels particularly meaningful because of the kiddos it features and my memories of snapping those moments. One of the greatest privileges over the last 14 years has been experiencing our events and lessons via the viewfinder on my SLR. Hiding quietly at the back of the classroom or from the side of the stage, I got to seek out and capture those moments of intense debate and discussion, but also quiet listening and reflection. It has been incredible to see how developing critical thinking and communication skills will help these young people navigate a messy world.

I am immensely proud of how far The Foundation has come, deeply grateful to the team (including new Chief Exec Flora Letanka, and my OG gals Tiffany Smyly and Olivia Platman) and excited for the future of the charity.