2018 IJR Candidate Questionnaire - Natasha Clarita

NATASHA CLARITA ijr questionnaire 2018

Hi! Thank you for making time to get to know me better. My name is Natasha, and I am passionate about youth empowerment and education. Since 2011, my capacity in these subjects have grown tremendously, and I largely owe that to CISV. This year, I am running for the International Junior Representative position. In this document, you will find out more about my vision for CISV. My CISV story video (watch here: bit.ly/shacisvstory) is a good place to understand why I have these ideas! Please grab yourself a cup of tea, and I hope you enjoy!

let's talk! reach me at shaclarita@gmail.com

WHAT'S UP? Skills

3

How my local JB made me run for IJR

5

How IJB can contribute to TwiceTheReach: A 3-Year Plan

7

On Conflict & Resolution

23

On IJBC

28

Thank you & in touch!

MyCISVStory Transcript

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WHAT SKILLS DO YOU HAVE, ACQUIRED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CISV, THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR ROLE AS IJR? Through my collaboration with the IJRs in my past representative roles, I understand the role to involve 3 distinct capacities, strategy/direction-setting, coordination (internal), and representative (external). Strategy/Direction-setting: starting, continuing and stopping initiatives to ensure IJB stay relevant to its goals

Analytical: Outside of CISV, I am devoted to academic research. This helps me in identifying the core of issues in CISV, consider different solutions, and have a thought-through approach.

Evaluative: As the IJB Representative on the Chapter Development committee, I am kept busy reviewing the progress of chapters', and drafting recommendations for the governing board. Accounting for limits in resources and priorities taught me the complexity of decision-making, which made me more realistic + strategic about what to prioritise as a leader.

Coordination (internal): managing the individuals and teams that respond to the IJRs

Innovative: Youth organisations have always been my thing long before I discovered CISV. This allowed me to apply different best practices, and objectively critique our shortcomings. This drive stems from my problem-solving and curious nature, that motivate me to seek answers. People I met in IJB compliment me for my progressiveness and embrace towards change.

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU HAVE, ACQUIRED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CISV, THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR ROLE AS IJR? Representative (external): Champion and voice the interest of IJB in the policy-making of CISV International

Negotiation: It seems counterintuitive, but being a strong voice involves catering to the other person and being open to feedback/dialogue. I learned this from being questioned by the PACE Foundation before I managed to get more than 10 funding proposals approved! Outside of CISV, I headed the External Relations (Sponsorship and Embassy) Committee in Europe’s largest student-run conference on Southeast Asia.

Hands-on: With each representative role I took in CISV, the group of people I am speaking for becomes larger and more diverse. This moved me to connect with everyone I meet in CISV on a personal level, and to be available to listen. Another key point is to use my network to pass on these concerns, as I did when I contributed to developing a session on JB as part of the CDTraining Curriculum.

Coordination (internal): managing the individuals and teams that respond to the IJRs

Stress-management: Multiple responsibilities is something I find effective! I juggled NJR Indonesia + APJB Team at the same year. By my 2nd year of the APJB term, I moved continent and joined the IJB Team. This also makes me have wider insights on the implications of things towards different teams.

LIST AND EXPLAIN POSITIVE IMPACTS YOU HAVE HAD AS A JBER WORKING AT A LOCAL LEVEL AND HOW IT HAS MOTIVATE YOU TO RUN Seeing them balancing their job, family, and tirelessly giving to this organisation move me to seek a bigger idea of success. Among the amazing things they taught me, here are some of my favourites that I think would benefit you, too!

ON VISI ON

PASSION LOOKS GOOD ON YOU. FEAR IS THERE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING IS WORTH DOING. In 2015, CISV Indonesia welcomes its newest chapter, CISV Bandung. As expected in a new movement, the resources invested was not met with an amazing response. And yet, they kept going. I realise how persuasive you can be when you have faith in what you are working towards. Every time I feel like giving up something I believe in because what is in front of me is intimidating, I remember my friends in CISV Indonesia, and I carry on.

YOU BECOME MORE JOYFUL BY EXTENDING YOUR CARE TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF. Investing time towards something other than my education and personal relationships as a teenager shaped my emotional intelligence, priority and time management, as it shifted my focus towards less trivial things. Instead, the opportunity to connect and impact is a rewarding use of my time.

LIST AND EXPLAIN POSITIVE IMPACTS YOU HAVE HAD AS A JBER WORKING AT A LOCAL LEVEL AND HOW IT HAS MOTIVATE YOU TO RUN

ON PEOPLE

WHEN YOU CANNOT MOTIVATE PEOPLE WITH MONEY, YOU CREATE PURPOSE As CISV is run by volunteers, Leading a volunteer organisation differs from a company as people do not owe you anything. it is understandable to see a lack of ownership in its members. Realising this makes me a more empathetic leader, and pushes me, through my presence and projects, to create purposeful experiences in CISV.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

ON IMPACT

After stepping down from CISV Indonesia, I often felt as if I have not achieved anything substantial. It took years to see results; JB Indonesia is more involved regionally more than ever, and my entire family is hooked to improve CISV. To commit yourself to CISV's mission of World Peace is to trust the process! I run for IJR with an understanding of what I can offer: not to resolve everything but to lay the framework for better things in the future.

By 2030 we will be well-known for creating educational experiences that reach at least twice as many people as we do today (2015). We will stand together to lead, act and inspire change in our communities to help build a more just and peaceful world�.

Think about three projects that you feel the International Junior Branch can best contribute to over the next 3 years (20192021). These projects need to be linked to our vision of reaching twice as many people through our educational experiences by 2030.

1. TRAINING CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES BANK FOR JB LEADERS

WHY CISV’s efforts will benefit from having more and better-trained young members, as this may lead to increased and more effective youth participation in the Organisational structure.

HOW

WHO

Training promotes transferable selfdevelopment and skills, which makes CISV attractive to a wider audience.

TRAINING & QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE + IJB COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST

does it TwiceTheReach?

2019: SHARE

2020: REVIEW

January Suggest essential topics/goals for JB Leaders, with feedback from Regional Team (e.g. Profile Raising, Recruitment, etc.)

January-April Update the existing JB Training Curriculum document on CISV Resources (with a Working Group)

January-April Start a working group to develop TTT for JB Curriculum

February-May Collaborate with Educational Programmes and TQA Committees to move our drive contents to a proper home in CISV Resources!

June-September Review the TTT for JB Curriculum after feedback at Regional Meetings

February Send out a form for local JBs to fill detailing sessions in their training programmes March (Regional Meeting) Analyse and communicate results to IJB June (before camp season) Set up + promote a (temporary) online drive for the training sessions classified into topics

2021: CREATE

August (IJBC) Start a working group to curate topical ready-to-run training packs using the existing Bank (e.g. 1-day Profile Raising Training for NJRs Training Pack)

INTERNATIONAL 1. TRAINING CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES BANK FOR JB LEADERS

2019: SHARE

2020: REVIEW

2021: CREATE

January Identify key training needs of the region, based on feedback from Neighborhood and LJR/NJR

January-April Set up a template report for National JBs to document their trainings

February Curate form results from the region and compile training sessions into different topic groups

June Facilitate a Regional Skype call to share resources pertaining different strengths/weaknesses between Neighborhoods

March/All year Test Run & Feedback the sessions developed by TTT for JB Curriculum in Regional Conference and Neighborhood Workshop

Compile reports from all Neighborhood Workshops

REGIONAL 1. TRAINING CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES BANK FOR JB LEADERS

2019: SHARE

2020: REVIEW

2021: CREATE

January February/Continuous Document local/national JB Trainings using the form

January-April Feedback on existing the newly-developed drive + existing training pack and request for new and relevant content

All year Test Run & Feedback the sessions developed

by TTT for JB Curriculum locally/nationally

January Discuss the key training needs + “successes” in your country and neighborhoods.

Communicate with Regional Team.

LOCAL 1. TRAINING CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES BANK FOR JB LEADERS

REGIONAL TEAMS 2016 AT IJBC COLOMBIA

2. IJB EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION

WHY Young people in CISV have great access to information. This is our strength as educators in the organisation.

HOW

WHO

More people are concerned about world issues. It aligns with CISV brand to be a platform that turns concerns into education and action.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES COMMITTEE + IJB EDUCATIONAL CONTENT SPECIALIST

does it TwiceTheReach?

2019: UNDERSTAND Monthly IJB Team members to compile a monthly guide of low-effort educational activities in the CISV Blog, for example: Movie/TED Talks to watch and screen + discussion points, Reading List for Topic-Of-The-Year 101 May Publish ideas on activities to run in camp JB-Days

2020: REFLECT

2021: SUPPORT

January-April Evaluate engagement through feedback by local JBers May Publish ideas of lifestyle challenges that promote CISV’s educational content (e.g. quitting single-use plastic in CISV camps) August Start a campaign for Local JBs to plan a local impact activity (open to non-CISVers) on Doris Allen’s birthday month

January Start a working group to plan a session for Regional Meetings + GloCo on how CISV can contribute better to current social issues August Publish quick guides/checklists on hosting a successful local impact activity, possibly by interviewing CISV Kompaz?

INTERNATIONAL 2. IJB EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION

2019: UNDERSTAND January Each neighbourhood commit on 1 social issue to raise awareness on in their countries March Facilitate intra-region challenge to run the activities made by other neighbors (e.g.

Pair one JB with another)

2020: REFLECT

2021: SUPPORT

January-March Gather feedback on the initiative in 2019 from NJRs and LJRs, address to IJB April Collect and promote ideas of lifestyle challenges that promote CISV’s educational content (e.g.

Quitting single-use straws in all CISV camps

January-May Follow through with the campaign on Doris Allen’s birthday month in Neighborhood Workshops/virtually

August Compile the report of these efforts

REGIONAL 2. IJB EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION

2019: UNDERSTAND February-April Develop projects on the agreed issue.

May-August Run activities made by other countries and localise it to fit your context! Use the other country’s original aim as a comparison and discussion point.

2020: REFLECT

2021: SUPPORT

January-March January-May Feedback this initiative through the Collaborate with Chapter Regional Team and/or Mosaic Committee to host a local impact activity April-August Join the hosting planning in your chapter and encourage camps to participate in the Lifestyle Challenges proposed by IJB

Get inspiration when running JB Days in your home chapter from the IJB Guide

LOCAL 2. IJB EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION

ESCAPE ROOM WITH CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DURING OUR IN-PERSON MEETING IN NEWCASTLE

3. JB ROLE PROFILES

WHY In the spirit of Floripa's motion, common understanding of the scope of JB is beneficial for dynamics with chapter and to explain JB to nonCISVers.

HOW does it TwiceTheReach?

Simplifying + suggesting a structure may create more leadership opportunities; critical as young people apply for jobs and seek to find an organisation that help them get there

WHO CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE + IJB CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE

2019: COLLECT

2020: UPDATE

2021: ?

February-April Send survey on expectations and the appropriate job description of NJRs and LJRs

January-August Put forward a motion on the JB Role Profiles; NJRs, LJRs, Regional Team

August (IJBC) Gather feedback on the role of NJRs and LJRs + what they should expect from/give to the Chapter/NA

February Based on feedback on JB responsibilities, improve the session on JB at Chapter Development Trainings

January-September Resume discussion on adding JB criteria in CISV’s category system, potentially starting a working group to develop a session on this question in GloCo

September Start a working group on a guide on possible JB supporting roles (e.g. Treasury, Communications Specialist, etc.)

INTERNATIONAL 3. JB ROLE PROFILES

2019: COLLECT March (Regional Meeting) Conduct a common-session with NARs to gather feedback on the role of Regional Team, NJRs, LJRs, and the ideal dynamics with Board Members May Compile this discussion into a report

2020: UPDATE January-August Compile regional (JB and Board) feedback on the motion on JB Role Profiles Collaborate with Regional Coordinators to run a session on the motion in Regional Meeting

2021: ?

January-September Compile and address regional feedback on discussion to add JB criteria in CISV’s category system, potentially starting a working group to develop a session on this question in the Regional Meeting

Improve and facilitate the JB session on the CD Regional Training based on the findings of the motion

REGIONAL 3. JB ROLE PROFILES

2019: COLLECT

2020: UPDATE

March (Regional Meeting) Participate in the survey published by IJB on NJR and LJR roles

April-August Together with the Chapter Board, feedback on the motion put forward on the JB Role Profiles

April Set up a meeting with your chapter/NA to discuss the survey

Run the JB Session on Chapter Development Training together with your board members

2021: ?

January-September Set up a board meeting to discuss about adding JB criteria in CISV’s category system

LOCAL 3. JB ROLE PROFILES

APJB TEAM 2015 AND ANJO (EX-IJR) AT JASPARC

IF ELECTED, YOUR IJR TERM WILL INCLUDE A FULL YEAR OF EDUCATIONAL CONTENT WORK ON CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION. PLEASE OUTLINE A PROJECT ON THIS TOPIC THAT COULD BE YOUTH-LED, BUT WOULD ALSO ENGAGE ALL OF CISV – CHAPTERS, PROGRAMMES, INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS, RTFS, ETC.

The diversity in CISV allows us to experience dynamics that represent that of our day-to-day dynamics, especially in this increasingly globalised world (e.g. motherdaughter vs board-JB dynamics, NJR-LJR vs employee-boss, etc.)

Knowing how to resolve CISV conflicts prepare us to be better at it in life. The quality of my personal relationships has improved since I learned how to debrief (i.e. ask questions to understand, not to talk back and expect a certain answer!).

CISV can perform more effectively if we increase the fulfilment our volunteers.

As a volunteer-run organisation, it should be the priority of the International Level to ensure there is a framework of support in place on this. This project aims to smoothen and improve the dynamics within and between our area of involvement in CISV (chapter, NA, region, international).

We can achieve this through a JB-initiated working group open to volunteers at different levels in CISV, on the topic of Volunteer Management strategies.

Best Practices of Volunteer Management: Attitude Goals CISV volunteers will have the...

Improve the relationship between members/levels in CISV Solve existing conflicts Invite new people into CISV with an understanding of how they can benefit from & contribute to CISV

Willingness to...

Best Practices of Volunteer Management: Skills Goals CISV volunteers will have the...

Identify why I/you can(not) be valuable to CISV how I/you can(not) be effective for CISV what I/you can(not) contribute to CISV

Ability to...

Listen, empathise and act on the challenges others face Make decisions in the spirit of good volunteer management

Best Practices of Volunteer Management: Knowledge Goals CISV volunteers will have the...

Different factors that affect one’s involvement in CISV (e.g. age, access to technology, leisure hours, marital status, race, gender) A volunteer’s mental capacity (including yourself!)

Communication and leadership styles

Understanding of...

Best Practices of Volunteer Management: Knowledge Goals This can take form in...

Topics to focus may include:

Goal-setting

Online discussions Sessions at Regional/Global Conference Board Meetings

Delegation Setting and meeting expectations Evaluations Burnout & Support

 THE INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR BRANCH CONFERENCE (IJBC) HAS EXISTED SINCE 1985. HOW CAN WE IMPROVE IT AND WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE REACHING ITS FULL POTENTIAL?

In my opinion, IJBC reaches its full potential when the participants achieve the...

WILLINGNESS TO...

how can we improve?

ABILITY TO...

how can we improve?

UNDERSTANDING OF...

how can we improve?

Contribute to CISV’s mission through one’s JB + local community Collaborate and seek support from different teams in CISV More panel session to address different needs Collaborate with regional teams to encourage more people to apply Critically evaluate and seek solutions for current issues in CISV Use the diversity in IJBC to create/support something that aligns with CISV’s mission To-be-continued sessions and discussion points to run back in home chapters

IJB organisational structure, but more importantly WHY it is designed this way One’s individual contribution towards CISV: you draw your own path Consolidate expectations of the IJRs and IJB Team: do we know what they are doing?

for making it allll the way here,

THANK YOU! To find out what IJB and this picture means to me, find me on Facebook: Natasha Clarita I would love to hear what you think! Reach me at shaclarita@gmail.com

Natasha’s CISV Story For the narrated video version, go to bit.ly/shacisvstory

There is one place in the world that is home to some of my most important CISV stories, and that place is not what you think.

Let me take you back to Lisbon Airport, July 2014

This is possibly her 70th farewell hug today. By 4pm, she had already sent 11 groups of little humans back to their home countries, and it's time to say goodbye. For one last time she hugged Flor and Grace, two of the staff members who ran her Village. I hope I see you again! She waved and head for the departures.

My Village taught me that your first contact with different cultures will profoundly shape the way you see the world.

It was very endearing to see the world through the eyes of 11-year olds. Many of them have never seen eyes as black or skin as yellow as mine, and they would innocently comment on them. That is pretty much all they knew about people who looked like me.

I compared that to my first CISV camp back when I was 14. I realised that as we grow up and become exposed to more information, we are more likely to link different traits to the way people look.

This aspect of Village opened my eyes on the relevance of CISV today. I learned that prejudice has to be learned.

And then, it clicked, how does singing and living with children contribute to world peace? To answer this, I am going to paraphrase the words of Sweden’s State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture. He is a CISVer, and I streamed his session at the Global Conference 2015, where he said this.

“As a (Swedish) kid learning geography in 5th grade, suddenly Brazil is not just another country in South America. It is the country where my best friend lives. When I grow up to be in positions of influence, I will never do anything to harm Brazil.”’ I thought he summed it quite beautifully.

A few months later, I was one of the Planners and Home Staff for APRW/JASPARC, the Regional Training Forum and Junior Branch Conference for Asia-Pacific. Around the same time, I also started my role as JB Indonesia’s National Junior Representative. This meant I had 3 sets of tasks in JASPARC 2015…

And yes, I ran for Asia Pacific Junior Branch Team.

So, these responsibilities all have two things in common: 1. I was new in every single one of them, and 2. I never had to do any of it alone. There was always someone to learn from and do the job with.

Can I just quickly highlight that I MC-ed with Indonesia’s famous radio personality, Mario Patrick?

Looking back, this experience taught me to seek feedback, take criticism, respond quickly, and ask for help, some of the valuable traits of a solid team player.

In December 2015, I left Singapore for good and was welcomed at the airport by my staff team for JB Camp. This was at a time when there was very little collaboration between the two chapters of CISV Indonesia, despite both being based in Jakarta.

JB Camp gifted us the space for arguably the most overdue, politicised and difficult conversation in the life of a Jakartan; ethnic diversity. For us, CISV was the first, if not the only, community outside of our own ethnic bubble. From my friends at JB Camp, I learned that World Peace is not exclusively an international affair. Even at a local level, there is a long way until we achieve the mission of Peace and Diversity. As CISVers, we have as much social responsibility to work on our local community.

In September 2016, I finished my NJR term and started university in the UK, to study philosophy, politics and economics. It is amazing to discuss the same concepts I first learned in CISV, this time through the lens of formal education. In Ethics class, I got to question issues ranging from the Alligator River problem, to charity, tourism and international volunteering, which are at the heart of CISV initiatives.

This expanded my knowledge and motivated me to impact the decisions made in CISV. So, I applied for the Chapter Development Representative position in the IJB Team, the two committees I still sit on until today! Fun fact, my successor in this role is Grace. You are familiar with her name as I mentioned her on the 10th second of this video.

As I try to find my place in this new and very intercultural setting, one incident struck me. It was the first week of uni when everyone is starting to make friends. I was at a party and someone came up to me and said in a very friendly way, “hey, you are very cool for an Asian!” “Thank you!” I grinned and continued dancing, slightly feeling weird. I am sure they meant it as a compliment, but why did I not feel great afterwards?

Then I did the Maths. What could I possibly be doing that could be seen as cool?

The only thing I did then was dancing. Which is what everyone else around me was doing as well. Well, dancing was the cool thing, then. “Cool...for an Asian…” hm, does that mean that dancing is not something you would typically think Asians would do? Does my Asianness makes me uncool, but I could change it by appearing less Asian!?

I freaked out, and quickly brushed off this seemingly bizarre train of thought. But then it hit me, that this was not a new feeling. Many times when I was younger, especially in CISV camps, I would feel quite different to everyone else. And I would try to integrate by being similar. In my case, being similar means doing things that is not a norm in my home culture. Like wearing a two-piece swimsuit or speaking up every time a thought crosses my mind. Of course I am all for doing, speaking, wearing whatever you want. But the keyword is doing what you "want."

I was not sure if I wanted to do it then, or if I made myself want it because I wanted to feel integrated. I do not think integration should involve rejecting a harmless but different way of being.

Every time I raise something that CISV can improve, I am not aimlessly pointing my fingers. Ultimately, I am pointing them at myself. As someone who has benefited so much from the organisation, the least I could do is contribute towards making CISV better.

I am grateful to learn that many people are as on board as I am to make CISV a more inclusive space. Together, we organised a Working Group that aims to develop activities on Asia-Pacific-specific issues. We made 3 activities, tested them at JASPARC, and they changed the game. We chose colonialism and understanding history, as this is a common reality that is hardly discussed in our societies.

Afterwards, many came to me saying they have never heard of this and the activity changed their mind. A new friend from Mongolia even dropped me a message saying it inspired her research paper!

We hosted this in China where we struggled getting anything on the Internet, and this serves as a good reminder of the value of CISV's educational approach in complementing the learning we do not get in our country’s formal education.

My first IJBC was as stimulating as it was challenging. Being a participant for the first time in a long while allowed me to be more introspective. As a result, it became a priority to be innovative in our methods and to cater to different standards of what is comfortable. I wanted all my projects, even my presence, to always contribute to making someone feel more at ease and embracing of themselves.

Since then, my work in the APJB team include starting Train The Trainers for APJB NJRs and secured funding for many youth projects of the region. This is to the point that funding for JB projects are now administered by Tito John, our Regional Chair himself! I would never imagine volunteering for CISV to involve this much negotiation, but I am so lucky to learn such skills from adults who share the same vision for the world as I do.

Fast forward to Summer 2017, and I found myself catching the train from Porto, making my way to‌ you guess it, Lisbon Airport. This time in IJBC, I was to run a session that reflects on the 60 years of CISV and how it can do better in the next 60. I also shared a panel with Flor, another staff member I met in my Village! It is surreal to come back to the same random airport, and now living a completely different reality.

Two weeks later, I traveled to China for my last task as a member of the Asia Pacific Junior Branch Team. I could not ask for a better ending to my APJB journey. We invited the National Representatives, also known as the young-at-hearts, over at our sessions to kickstart some JB-Adult collaboration.

We invited the National Representatives, also known as the young-at-hearts, over at our sessions to kickstart some JB-Adult collaboration.

David and Michael, the National Junior Representatives from Hong Kong and China shared their plan to start a neighborhood project together.

Nono and the rest of CISV Japan committed to tackle issues on pressures behind teenage suicide and sexuality in Japan. These are pressing problems that not even our governments have fixed. And here we have a room of like-minded individuals, from different generations and values, working to make their homes more humane to live in.

The night ended with big smiles on everyone’s faces, and Tito John, our Regional Chair, saying, “tonight has reminded me, that everything we do in this organisation, we do it for you.

Youth is our future.�

And this might sound cheesy. But comparing myself now to that young girl who opened one door in 2011 and dragged her parents to a CISV Open Day, it is an understatement to say that the people I met in CISV have shaped my ambitious aspirations on the kind of world I want to live in.

Since then until now, I am still involved and loving my role at the Chapter Development Committee that taught me volunteer management. Last December, I flew to Singapore with CISV for the third time to run their first ever JB-event called Camp Rojak. It feels like seeing things coming one full circle.

I still vividly remember those camp-sick high school days when I really wished for CISV to exist in Singapore. Now it is here to stay, and I cannot wait to see it grow and change the lives of many families' as it did with mine.

Yet, for CISV Singapore as it is for my CISV story, this is only the beginning. I cannot wait until my CISV story meets yours. [on slides] April 2018: 2. The last time I was in transit at Lisbon Airport, I accepted my nomination for International Junior Representative. [on slides] CISV educates and inspires action for a more just and peaceful world.