Reflections of a Student Leader

What a timely session it is to talk about engaging in differences. Especially during these turbulent times full of stark personal, professional, and political differences. 

Last March 31 and April 5, 2021, I was fortunate to join the Intersectional Workshop of Inclusiviteach and SoDF together with student leaders from AIESEC in the Philippines. 

At first, I was awkward and shy since all of them know each other as the heads of the organization, while I am considered as an “outsider” during the workshop. I was observing and participating in our upcoming workshop this June. Despite this, it amazed me how Gen, Z, and Ima from AIESEC, treated and welcomed me like I am part of their group. 

We started Day 1 by introducing ourselves through a game that was interactive, fun, and quirky, while at the same time, it helped us understand that we have differences in choices by making us choose between two choices such as - do we prefer a cat or a dog?

I learned that while our choices may not always be a black or white perspective, there will be times that binary thinking remains prevalent in our society.

After the icebreaker, we dove into a discussion that helps us understand our history and background. I was paired with a team member from AIESEC in Miriam, and we were able to get similarities as we are both from Quezon City, and we studied at De La Salle University for a time. While we have our similarities, differences are seen as well. Through this, I have seen that it is fruitful and enriching to focus on understanding ourselves, building a safe space for self and others, and engaging in differences properly and with empathy. 

We had more small group sessions to discuss question prompts, and engage in discussions. Interestingly enough, the group I’m in had a common predicament or “hugot” on the negative misconceptions of volunteering from other people - especially from people closest to us. 

All of us in the group encountered volunteering misconceptions. We had similar experiences where our parents questioned our decisions on why we continue doing our volunteer work despite the absence of a profitable stream. It made me realize that this is a reality that we are facing, especially with young leaders. Most of us are being ridiculed or being judged for volunteering despite not having enough financial resources to support ourselves. While we understand volunteering will not help us thrive, it helps us gain experience that we can use.

As a youth leader who manages a growing community with 14,000+ members from different backgrounds, the workshop helped me further understand how our personal backgrounds shape our perspectives.

It helped me deepen my understanding of how we can bridge differences with each other as all of us have different motivations and perspectives, both intrinsic and extrinsic, we need to establish safe spaces for us to connect and engage. 

The workshop helped me understand myself, including my perspectives and background towards effectively building safe spaces, and engaging differences with each other. 

About Mark

Mark Jacinto is currently the Curator of the Online SDG Youth Action Forum, an online community that aims to bridge and connect young leaders and youth organizations towards helping them advance themselves, their organization, and their community to contribute to the SDGs. As of now, the community has around 14,000+ members on Facebook, has connected 5,000+ young leaders, and 100+ youth organizations to 300+ international, regional, and national opportunities, and has conducted more than 400+ events and collaborations with 900+ youth groups.