1, 2, 3, and Counting Changemakers from Nicaragua
YOUth, saving the world from home. Work Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with us — GCMx Nicaragua 2021
Alice in wonderland. Yes! We were just like Alice in wonderland. We, young people who fell inside a tree full and got into a new world just as she did. That is our story since we were born, as we have been living the consequences of social instability, and as we woke up in an unknown world named Nicaragua since the last century. The same country who will see their young people rising, proclaiming back, and leading one day, just as Alice did against the Queen of Heart.
Nonetheless, we will leave our story and experiences about living in a non-fictional 1984 country, by George Orwell, where the government has power over the whole system and its people for another chapter as our security as changemakers may be compromised. But you can see the World Report 2020 analysis to have more information about the current situation in Nicaragua. Meanwhile, let’s focus on the family Alice found with the White Queen, the Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, among other characters who helped them overcome any obstacles against the Queen of Heart.
At first, we were a group of 4 young initiators in the same volunteering program of this amazing organization. These are Orling Benavides, Guissell Caballero, Kevin Pérez, and Hanzell Benavides. We were part of it for a reason, we were and continue to be committed to building up to change and positive impact in our country. We had no clue how, but we were aware that even small actions can be meaningful and hopeful for our new generations. This is how we could reach out to our white savior, Global Changemakers, through a program we were familiar with, but never thought about leading before. This is GCMx, the youth empowerment event, in person or online, that comprehends the design thinking tools and guidance that we were looking for to train and change the mindset of future young leaders of Nicaragua.
We were excited but anxious as we were going to be representing the whole organization among national young leaders and international organizations; not to mention GCMx Nicaragua (Click here to have access to our video summary), which was the first GCMx in Latin America, inspiring young people leading many in Colombia, El Salvador, Bolivia, Peru, among other countries. Our main goal was to target our national young leaders but to inspire other young people in the continent to launch their event to encourage more leaders like us. Despite the fears, we found our Caterpillar, the one that advised and guided Alice in the wonderland. This is how Yasmin Morais and Kathia Salazar, Program and Development Managers of the organization came into our lives. If you are thinking about striving for change, they are your one-stop solution to get helpful solutions or insights. The Program Manager will be guiding you through the process, but we encourage you to take the lead and show your ideas about how you think things should be done and the advances of the processes. Take the risks, do not allow uncertainty to drive you, lead your team, you already have the NO even before approaching, and be driven by madness, enjoy every second… This is the reason why we will leave you with certain tips and tell you more about our processes by now:
1. Do not allow uncertainty to drive you:
You can always set your objectives and goals for the program and have in mind to use management and planning tools such as Gantt Charts, Databases of Stakeholders and experts on the fields you are striving for, etc. These tools allowed us to set up an 8 month and four-section plan, including pre-application and application processes, recruitment, and post-application and report delivery with all highlights of the event.
Another good point to remember is that you must identify areas of opportunities and choose the subject and SDGs based on your country’s needs and passions. Meanwhile, you have to keep in mind this work cannot be done alone yet, but in association with an international team and 7 facilitators from Latin America in our case.
Nonetheless, expect the unexpected and make a list of possible risky assumptions that may attempt against the execution of your planning. Prepare a plan B or contingency plan as these will help you manage time precisely in case you may envision any problem before it comes and hits you.
2. Communication plays a key role:
All team members will come up and show their ideas and what they care about in their life within the meetings. Have in mind that these people will be your family for several months. Hence, we agree that communication is key to maintaining the right flow of the process. In the end, don’t be afraid to express how you feel, even if you feel discouraged, because they will help you remember why you started doing this event.
In other words, great leaders do not only communicate but engage with peers. In our case, we had line-minded young leaders working on the marketing and communication, associations and alliances, and project management; checking upon all advances every two weeks in a meeting.
3. Organize the team and be fearless, you already have NO for an answer:
Lead the teamwork independently based on their skills, passions, and experiences. However, set a management structure based on the above. For example, our team was divided into marketing and communications, associations and alliances, recruitment, and project management.
The Marketing sector was in charge of delivering the communication and social media strategy alongside the Communications Manager of Global Changemakers, and responsible managers from other partner organizations.
Likewise, the Associations reached out to national and international organizations such as UNICEF, UNFPA, World Vision, Raleigh Nicaragua, Nica Life Jewelry, Acción2030+, Red de Jóvenes Líderes. Project Partners play an essential role in the recruitment and outreach process as we were able to reach out to 60 young leaders from 15 out of the 17 cities in Nicaragua and aimed at delivering conferences regarding their work and strategies to build up a positive change and inspire young leaders in the country. And remember you already have the NO even before approaching, be fearless, be assertive, and check on your objectives and project partners’ objectives, mission, and vision before approaching. Have in mind to have your letters requesting associations ready including the link with information of the organization and the last year’s full report as this will guide and tell them who we are; create the connection while asking for a first time meeting with them; keep in contact through direct communication tools such Whatsapp with them.
Meanwhile, the Project Management area was in charge of checking up on the delivery and execution process of all areas alongside the recruitment of all applicants, and the assistance of 36 participants on this two days event magnifying the abilities of local changemakers in the areas of conflict and problem resolution based on their localities needs. This person made sure to have all collaborative documents, and the agenda structure for the bid days.
And remember to always be driven by madness and joy. It is more blessed to give than to receive. This is why we plan to continue giving to others as human beings, as Global Changemakers….
Global Changemakers was our channel and backbone to build up a positive impact in the lives of many young leaders domestically and regionally.
