Yesterday, I physically moderated a session at the Policy Dialogue 14 under the theme "The Contribution of the Higher Education Partnerships in Southeast Asia towards the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030". This event was jointly organized by a few regional/international organizations to maximize our regional efforts and partnerships of higher education with various stakeholders for the sustainable future of the region.
The topic of the sharing was, “Voices from the learners:
the future of the sustainable region”, allowing us to hear learning
experiences of 4 young speakers in Southeast Asia/ASEAN and how their
exchanges/degree program/ team projects have shaped their thinking and roles
about work and life to lead the change for a sustainable development of the
region.
While it was so inspiring and delightful to hear stories and
lessons learned from them, I myself got some good experiences from managing the
session ka:
My key messages from the young panelists:
- Besides technical skills, exchanges enabled them to
acquire soft skills from engaging themselves in different kinds of activities,
to learn to live in the present and get the most out of the programs, which
needed to be planned well before participation; increase their global perspectives;
create and enhance friendship/networks; get to feel closer to host universities
and communities to feel included, etc.
- Sustainable region means continuous collective efforts
to help solve cross-cutting issues like climate change and language
proficiency; all could become possible by getting started from one own self
(small change makes big impacts!), stressing leadership of the youth,
caring about social and environmental issues with stakeholders involved,
and having clear shared goals.
- Our young generation is very smart and ready to explore cross-cultural
differences. One said he thanked himself too for taking part in the
exchange program which changed him in many ways.
We need to engage them in our planning, support, and other
processes throughout to ensure their learning and sharing are even greater
for increased positive impacts. Each exchange program should think harder of
what multiple objectives it could generate, not just credit transfer,
opportunities to travel and mingle. Rather, it could do more deeply into
some soft skills like adaptability, learning how to learn, creativity, etc.
My learning/impression about the physical presence:
- It was a little odd to be onsite moderating a hybrid
session after over 2 years. I talked with one panelist who was the stage
with me, chatting with 3 others virtually and keeping onsite
participants engaged. It was my very first time to use StreamYard on my own
to monitor comments and questions online in addition to sharing the
gist of the sharing with the participants and being a time keeper.
Thank goodness there was a dry run to talk with the panelists
and that I went to the venue much earlier to get the feel and to learn more
about the app.
- The sharing of the 4 panelists made me feel so very
happy during and after the session. I felt very hopeful and proud of
our younger ones who have ‘purpose beyond self’. I admire each organization, which
has made to carry out different projects and activities for them….and
should be more with them and by them. Quality processes and outcomes will definitely
be on the rise ka.
Happy me for the rest of the week ka.
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