Great first day in New York City! I’m so excited for what
the rest of the week has in store. I want to take this time to thank all the
volunteers at WomenNC, including my mentor Amy, Beth, Isabella, Lois and Jane.
Thank you for all the support throughout this process and the wonderful
opportunity to participate in this fellowship and attend CSW.
Tomorrow is our Consultation Day where we will be meeting
with other NGOs and participating in the International Women’s Day March, which
will be exciting. I’m looking forward to the different events I can attend this
week, learning more about women’s issues and how they are being addressed in
other parts of the world, what the progress has been in the last 20 years, and
what still needs to be done. I’m also excited for the networking opportunities.
I guess one thing I’m worried about this week is not having enough time for reflection
about everything I’ve experienced. Without that time, most of the information
will probably go in one ear and out the other without sticking. Throughout the
week, I will be asking myself some questions about the different issues
presented at the conference:
What is the root causes of this issue in the particular
community addressed?
How does this issue manifest in our society?
How is this similar and different than in another context?
What has been the progress on this issue in the last 20
years?
What are the next steps?
What are the benefits and limitations to the model presented
meant to address this issue?
How can I be an advocate on this issue both at the local and
international level?
Hopefully, by reflecting on each event I attend in this way,
I can have at least one tangible takeaway I can bring back to my community at
Duke, Durham, or at home in Georgia.
- Mina
Great guiding questions, Mina. Your welcome and thank you for your commitment to women's rights.
ReplyDeleteHi Mina! Being able to process everything that you experience this week will definitely be a change. If you can, make note of meaningful interactions and organizations, research, and initiatives that spark your interest. You will be able to process everything during the months after CSW using your notes as a guide.
ReplyDeleteYour questions are good ones. You are right that reflection will have to wait for a quiet and less sleep deprived time. Keep a journal, and make use of your time with networking. You may never again in your lifetime have such international resources and personalities sitting right next to you. Embrace the opportunities!
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