Project Overview: Sharing Experience International Webinar

Project Name: Sharing Experience
Date: 21 August 2020
Time:

09:00 PM (Bangladesh & Bhutan)
08:45 PM (Nepal)
08:30 PM (Sri Lanka)
12:00 PM (Argentina & Brazil)
11:00 AM (Bolivia)
05:00 PM (Egypt)
10:00 AM (Mexico, Peru & Colombia)
06:00 PM (Romania & Moldova)
Platform: Zoom

Organizers:

The webinar was organized by the International Relationship Committee, Rotaract District Organization (RID 3281), in collaboration with partner organizations, including:

Rotaract Club of Pashupati Kathmandu
Rotaract Club of Tulsipur
Rotaract Club of Peace City Hatton
Circle of Ripples

Speakers:

Bertha Ramos Carrillo - Mexico
Anuradha Senanayake - Sri Lanka
Rupesh Sharma - Nepal
Georgia-Rafaela Vusdea - Romania
Bishnu Chettri - Bhutan
Yeshi Dendup - Bhutan
Kausar Ahamed Rubel - Bangladesh

Moderation:

The webinar was moderated by Benazir Ahmed, ensuring the smooth flow of discussions and fostering active engagement.

Objectives and Significance

The Sharing Experience webinar was conceptualized to provide a global platform for Rotaractors, professionals, and changemakers to exchange ideas, share their journeys, and inspire others. The primary goals were:

Knowledge Sharing: To learn from the real-life experiences of speakers who are actively contributing to their communities and professional fields.
Cross-Cultural Engagement: To connect Rotaractors from different countries, fostering collaboration and strengthening international relationships.
Problem-Solving: To understand how the speakers tackled challenges, turning their struggles into success stories.

This event exemplified the Rotary spirit of “Service Above Self” by encouraging learning and growth through shared experiences.

Activities and Execution

1. Pre-Event Preparation:

As the Director of District International Service, I led the organizing committee to ensure every aspect of the event was meticulously planned and executed. My contributions included:

Speaker Coordination: Engaged with distinguished speakers from various countries, understanding their expertise, and aligning their topics with the webinar’s goals.
Scheduling: Designed the event schedule to accommodate participants and speakers from multiple time zones, ensuring inclusivity and global reach.
Logistics: Managed the Zoom platform, including meeting credentials, technical setup, and participant onboarding.
Promotion: Developed promotional materials and strategies, utilizing social media to maximize participation.

2. Webinar Proceedings:

Introduction: The session began with an introduction by the moderator, Benazir Ahmed, who set the tone for the event.
Speaker Presentations: Each speaker shared their personal journey, focusing on:
- Their work in their respective fields.
- The challenges they faced and how they overcame them.
- The values and principles guiding their actions.
Interactive Q&A: The audience actively participated by posing insightful questions, leading to enriching discussions.

3. Key Discussion Points:

The speakers provided valuable insights on:

Community Impact: How their projects are addressing pressing societal issues like education, healthcare, and youth development.
Problem-Solving: Innovative approaches to overcoming challenges such as limited resources, cultural barriers, and societal resistance.
Leadership: The role of perseverance, empathy, and collaboration in driving change.

My Contributions

As the Director of District International Service, my role was pivotal in:

Leadership and Coordination:
- Spearheaded the planning and execution of the webinar, ensuring alignment with the goals of the Rotaract District Organization.
- Acted as the primary liaison between international speakers and the organizing committee.
Content Development:
- Designed the agenda to highlight the strengths and experiences of each speaker.
- Crafted questions to facilitate meaningful discussions.
Technical Oversight:
- Ensured the seamless operation of the Zoom platform.
- Monitored participant engagement and resolved any technical glitches in real-time.
Engagement and Follow-Up:
- Interacted with participants to gather feedback, enhancing the overall experience.
- Documented the outcomes for future initiatives.

Outcomes and Impact

Learning and Growth:

Participants gained:

Practical insights into addressing community challenges.
Inspiration from the speakers’ resilience and innovative thinking.
Ideas for implementing similar projects in their local contexts.

Global Networking:

The webinar brought together Rotaractors and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering international collaboration.

Skill Development:

For me, this event was an opportunity to:

Hone my leadership, communication, and event management skills.
Demonstrate my ability to lead impactful projects on an international scale.

Analytical Insights

This event underscored the importance of international cooperation in tackling global challenges. By sharing their experiences, the speakers showcased that:

Challenges are Universal: Despite varying cultural and socioeconomic contexts, the struggles faced by changemakers have commonalities, offering opportunities for shared learning.
Collaboration is Key: The success of initiatives often depends on the collective efforts of individuals and organizations.
Innovation Drives Change: Adopting creative approaches to problem-solving can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.

Reflection

Organizing the Sharing Experience webinar was both a privilege and a transformative experience. It reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling to inspire and educate. This initiative not only enriched the participants but also strengthened my commitment to serving as a catalyst for positive change.

Moving forward, I aim to organize more such events, focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, and actionable outcomes.

Md Jakaria

Project Overview: Sharing Experience International Webinar