Tag: #IFP

IFP Mae Sot was one of the most challenging and rewarding experience, and probably, the most UWC one. Us, both individuals and as a team, faced and overcome multiple challenges throughout this week (LO1).

Personally, I had to be strong and persevere, as I got food poisoning on the second night of the week. It took a lot of energy to balance facilitating and giving myself enough time to rest and gain back some energy. I wanted to be always with the delegates, who taught me so much more that I could ever imagine. They were wonderful, very inspiring people, and while we were the facilitators, their spirit and positive energy, which they were so ready to use in order to initiate changes in their community when they go back, showed us what it actually means to be a ‘Peace-maker’.

For instance, I facilitated a public speaking activity, where they could share their stories in a safe space. It was the most mind-changing 2-hours of the week, as I listened to how the people with the kindest spirits, and brightest smiles suffered because of war, lost their loved ones and saw so many deaths. They were incredibly strong and powerful people, who could use their voice and stories to show the world, how indifferent we can be. How often we get so caught up by everyday problems that we don’t even recognize how extremely privileged we are to live, study and work in a safe place.

It was a week full of reflections both from the delegates and facilitators. We needed to process so many things! As facilitators, we had to adapt and be flexible with each other. We needed to be mindful of how we all need to rest, as everybody gave their 100%. We changed our timetables as we saw how in real life what’s more important and requires more time. This meant that sometimes we missed out on some people’s (once my) activities. It was the question of how well we can realize that it’s not about our pride, but to be an effective team.

All in all, I loved Mae Sot and I know that the people I met there will be always close to me, just as their inspiring positivity and energy.

As we finished the first seasons of IFP it’s important to look back at our journey, before we continue with the next steps ( for instance planning a conference in Mae Sot ). This connects to the Learning Outcome 6, as this activity courages us to engage with issues of global importance.

In IFP we are not just learning about how to facilitate conferences and interact with people all around the world, but to explore the issues that are affecting our daily lives and response to them. These problems are occurring all around the world and influencing millions. We can see their significance and importance as we go through and discuss topics such as the power of stereotypes, different types of violence and peace, or discrimination. These can be both minor and major problems, but nonetheless, they can’t be ignored. Getting to know more sides of them and their effects on the society showed me how little I really know about the social issues and taught me a way to explore them deeply.