Women on the Frontlines: Serving communities across borders

Young people play a vital role as volunteers and leaders of philanthropic initiatives worldwide. Programmes such as the IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SGD 6 Fellowship, Engineers without Borders, Peace Corps, CorpsAfrica and Young Expert Program create opportunities for youth to actively contribute their ideas, skills and expertise in service of communities across the globe.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, this webinar will celebrate the stories and experiences of remarkable women serving as volunteers and professionals in various contexts, with a particular focus on the water and sanitation sector. The speakers will reflect on their work in the field, the challenges they have faced -including any gender-specific barriers and how they have overcome them – and the personal and professional rewards of their contribution.

Young Water Professionals, professionals and academicians working on collaboration and peacebuilding across borders, young women looking to volunteer/serve abroad through international philanthropic initiatives.

The following learnings are anticipated from this session:

• Experiences of women volunteers and professionals serving abroad
• Challenges and rewards of service in water and sanitation in a philanthropy/service context
• Building rapport with communities that are culturally and linguistically distinct from those of the volunteer/professional

Chair - Monica Ndagire : Quality Control Officer, National Water & Sewerage Corporation, Uganda

Moderator - Annika Erickson-Pearson : Independent Professional Facilitator and Community Organizer, Geneva

Speakers

• Chelsea Hayward : IWA YWP Steering Committee/Engineers without Borders, Cambodia

• Micheala Chan : Young Expert Program, ADB

• Ugyen Tshomo : Founder and Owner, Nim Gangsha Solar