Update about my WFDYS work since our last meeting in Georgia

Well I thought I would give you an update in Auslan or you can read the transcript a bit of a summary of my time with WFDYS – World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, I know the last time I updated you online was actually when I went to Georgia and that was in 2019! I can’t believe that’s three years ago, time is gone so quickly so I’ll try to give you a bit of a summary of the last three years. I’ll share some different things, some highlights and exciting times and different challenges and experiences over my time.

So there are a few different things when I look back at this time, obviously pre-COVID and then going through COVID-19 it was such a completely different scenario and changed how we thought we would work, really adapted and evolved, it was a huge challenge but I really am so thankful for technology. We were so lucky to be able to continue to meet and collaborate and still have those great discussions and not worry about spending a lot of money on flights etc. it wasn’t always easy with different timezones but I’ll talk a bit more about that later.

So back to the time in I spent in Georgia, that was in November 2019 and right up until about March 2020 that was really one of my warm-hearted times because the previous President Mark Berry and I really really had such a great working relationship for 6 years. I was so privileged to work with him, we collaborated so well, and were quite similar, very creative, joking together, sometimes competitive but we really got a lot of serious work done so it was just a fantastic vibe working with him. I’m really so lucky because we were both in Oceania supporting each other sometimes we’d be communicating in NZSL and Auslan (similar sign languages) obviously we used International Sign Language with others but it was just so lovely. Then he stepped down as President and I know, or I hope,  that one day we’ll work together again definitely.

When Mark left my role at that time was Vice President and at that point I became President and I was really well humbled to take on that opportunity-a big responsibility in ensuring we had different tasks completed, and the team was on the right path, members were feeling supported and communicated to and I really tried my best. It was definitely a massive challenge because obviously I have my paid employment and volunteer roles here in Australia and then as WFDYS President I was juggling so many balls and up to now I’ve continued to keep been juggling those balls. I’ve really learnt a lot and I really am so lucky with the current Board, such supportive, understanding, incredible people and we have had some enormous challenges and movements: Covid obviously, climate change, the BLM movement. It’s been a truly unprecedented time. One thing that came up all the way through it’s just, you know we say pre-Covid going through Covid both have been very different experiences, and I think that later down the track, we will be talking about this ‘new normal’ post-Covid times.

As I said from March I continued to learn on the job and how to work together and collaborate and ensure I had the right skills and leading the Board with good communication, managing all the tasks and projects were continuing and encouraging each other. We you know we had an advisory group as well so that was really great and collaborated with different organisations like IDA (International Disability Alliance), and other associations within the United Nations which was such an enjoyable experience.

So from March to November/October there was a lot of behind-the-scenes work ongoing, updating workshops and working on catching up on different projects and trying to find a balance which was quite a challenge but I really do appreciate the support of WFD as well that was incredible and making sure we were leading the way.

One thing that is just irreplaceable and we all missed out on was that physical connection, that human connection. From 2019 up to now we still have not yet physically met in person and I hope that this year in April at the WFD Conference in Thailand that will be where we are able to finally get together. And then potentially in October at the children’s camp in Uruguay. So we are hopeful that Covid will settle down and we can get to that point where the borders will be open, and we can all get together physically there.

Up until now we have all been working through online platforms discussing and making sure that projects have continued on, that’s been quite a challenge because physically you know there is a different kind of energy and motivation, the excitement and emotion that is missing from meeting online. Everyone’s got their own personal lives and we are all so busy that we need to balance everything and it’s been really difficult.

The board meetings have all been online, we did five days straight of meetings, and that was just wow. The challenge was the differing time zones meeting from all over the world; it’s just impossible to pick a time zone that works for everyone. So the best time that worked seemed to be my night time so we continue to do that. Sometimes after a long day at work I am meeting all through the night and then straight into work again the next day, so its exhausting but I really know the commitment and dedication supporting to the youth into the future is so important.

In October, we had a meeting of the board, and every couple of months after that, we would meet. One thing I am disappointed we missed out on was the junior camp in India and unfortunately with Covid it just couldn’t take place. I am hopeful they will again bid the host at the Korea YGA in 2023.

To be honest, it’s been such a massive challenge because you know, we usually have different activities and plans, and we’ve got projects that we sort of tick off and get that board report ready for the Youth General Meeting (YGA) in 2023 to show that you know what World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section has been doing.

So then last year in November we held another board meeting and had a lot of significant discussions to cover some heavy topics, we will share the board report soon with a range of different vital discussions. We look forward to the future and being quite positive and resolving some of these issues.

Up until now there hasn’t been a lot of exciting posts visiting different countries and meeting local communities as it simply hasn’t been happening, everything has been online. I hope that this year will be other and I can update you on that and let you know about the WFD conference in Thailand. Hopefully we get there and we can catch up again as well. So I think that’s it for now and that’s a summary and hopefully in the future I’ll be sharing more posts about what I’ve learnt so far. I’ve worked with WFDYS for seven years now, and it’s been so fast already, so next year at Korea Congress, I will finish up and step down because Youth Section is only up until the age of 30, so I’m really emotional to be stepping down but also excited and ready to hand over the reins and share my experience.

I would particularly love to see more youth in Australia involved at the international level, I’m excited to see that happen and that’s a goal of mine. 

If you have anything you want to know more about or ask any questions, I’m so happy for you to contact me. Maybe we can organise some sort of webinar or workshops or presentations in the near future. Please feel free to contact me online on Instagram or my website.