A Reflection from Nelly Ortiz
GCC volunteer and participant in Global Citizens Circle program in South Africa, 2017
Embracing inclusion and diversity can heal pain in society. There is no big, grand starting point required to get the ball rolling other than making an effort to respectfully listen to and better understand each other. Regardless of whether challenges remain unresolved after such a conversation, the seeds of possibility for a brighter future are being planted. It’s an organic process, it requires the willingness and effort of many. It does not have to be orchestrated from the top-down, it does not require one hero to champion the cause. Limitless possibility resides in the positive ripples that each of us can decide to bring into existence on a daily basis. It starts with how we decide to respect, understand and appreciate others.
Global Citizens Circle creates a conducive space for these positive interactions. During my participation on the Global Citizens Circle delegation to Cape Town for the ‘Activism that Works’ gathering, I saw how this special forum enables deep connections to take hold between people who may not otherwise have a chance to interact or learn from each other. It is an incredibly valuable experience, the benefits of which last well beyond the event itself. Participants form a network made strong through unique and powerful friendships. Unique because we’re exposed to individuals from very different backgrounds, powerful because the relationship is forged in deep and sincere dialogue - welcoming differences and diversity; often sharing in common hopes and aspirations.
I was inspired by fellow delegate Tito Jackson, a recent candidate for Mayor in Boston. I respect his passion about building greater inclusion and equality in Boston, I’m touched by his personal story and genuineness in how he builds hope in communities. Same, too, with Monica McWilliams, a politician and champion for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. She inspires me with her determination, her values and her now global mandate to serve others and use her skills in pursuit of greater peace now well-beyond her home country. These are just two examples of the many people who left an imprint on how I view the world - it’s challenges and opportunities to make change - as well as my personal potential to make a contribution.
Spearheading Global Citizens Circle are truly servant leaders. Nadine Hack, Eleanor Dunfey, Theo Dunfey, among others - outstanding women who facilitate with great humility and wisdom. Leaders who understand the value in engaging the next generation and not only to teach, but to also learn from us as well. A spirit of openness shared by even “the Arch” Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah Tutu, as they listened to the stories of the delegates - including my own story that I shared about finding hope and optimism while facing down the pain of poverty and inequality as a child in Nicaragua.
Meeting such people are reminders that being a leader is not about trying to be famous or powerful. Real leadership is simply about being useful where you can be useful in working towards an outcome that will be meaningful for the greater good. This is important. When fighting for a dream, we need friends around us who keep us in check. We need friends who not only support us but challenge us to grow. To inspire us to try again and again, with more effort and more determination each time.
As a member of the next generation, I felt my opinions and ideas were valued, even as I stand next to individuals who have accomplished great things and have already touched many lives. Coming from a humble background in Nicaragua, I sometimes caught myself in disbelief I was participating in such an event, especially when a fellow delegate pointed to a young child without shoes during a World Aids Day event as to remind me where I came from once before. Vividly remembering the stinging pain of hunger, I now work towards making a someday worthy contribution to ensuring basic needs are more affordable and accessible in poorer Nicaraguan communities. It gave me great hope sharing this dream with other delegates, receiving encouragement and validation that emboldens me to continue on the journey.
Bringing diverse people together around a table in the spirit of constructive conversation is powerful. From everyone we can learn as well as teach. Regardless of our background, all of us represent a valuable and important aspect of our global humanity and all of us are worthy to share. Out of these conversations, we discover more in common than not, and that realization can unite us across the unfamiliarity and the unknown. Lasting solutions for fierce challenges that society faces requires input from people of diverse background and stations in society. This wisdom is embedded in Global Citizens Circle.
Your voice is every bit important as any other voice.
GCC volunteer and participant in Global Citizens Circle program in South Africa, 2017
Embracing inclusion and diversity can heal pain in society. There is no big, grand starting point required to get the ball rolling other than making an effort to respectfully listen to and better understand each other. Regardless of whether challenges remain unresolved after such a conversation, the seeds of possibility for a brighter future are being planted. It’s an organic process, it requires the willingness and effort of many. It does not have to be orchestrated from the top-down, it does not require one hero to champion the cause. Limitless possibility resides in the positive ripples that each of us can decide to bring into existence on a daily basis. It starts with how we decide to respect, understand and appreciate others.
Global Citizens Circle creates a conducive space for these positive interactions. During my participation on the Global Citizens Circle delegation to Cape Town for the ‘Activism that Works’ gathering, I saw how this special forum enables deep connections to take hold between people who may not otherwise have a chance to interact or learn from each other. It is an incredibly valuable experience, the benefits of which last well beyond the event itself. Participants form a network made strong through unique and powerful friendships. Unique because we’re exposed to individuals from very different backgrounds, powerful because the relationship is forged in deep and sincere dialogue - welcoming differences and diversity; often sharing in common hopes and aspirations.
I was inspired by fellow delegate Tito Jackson, a recent candidate for Mayor in Boston. I respect his passion about building greater inclusion and equality in Boston, I’m touched by his personal story and genuineness in how he builds hope in communities. Same, too, with Monica McWilliams, a politician and champion for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. She inspires me with her determination, her values and her now global mandate to serve others and use her skills in pursuit of greater peace now well-beyond her home country. These are just two examples of the many people who left an imprint on how I view the world - it’s challenges and opportunities to make change - as well as my personal potential to make a contribution.
Spearheading Global Citizens Circle are truly servant leaders. Nadine Hack, Eleanor Dunfey, Theo Dunfey, among others - outstanding women who facilitate with great humility and wisdom. Leaders who understand the value in engaging the next generation and not only to teach, but to also learn from us as well. A spirit of openness shared by even “the Arch” Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah Tutu, as they listened to the stories of the delegates - including my own story that I shared about finding hope and optimism while facing down the pain of poverty and inequality as a child in Nicaragua.
Meeting such people are reminders that being a leader is not about trying to be famous or powerful. Real leadership is simply about being useful where you can be useful in working towards an outcome that will be meaningful for the greater good. This is important. When fighting for a dream, we need friends around us who keep us in check. We need friends who not only support us but challenge us to grow. To inspire us to try again and again, with more effort and more determination each time.
As a member of the next generation, I felt my opinions and ideas were valued, even as I stand next to individuals who have accomplished great things and have already touched many lives. Coming from a humble background in Nicaragua, I sometimes caught myself in disbelief I was participating in such an event, especially when a fellow delegate pointed to a young child without shoes during a World Aids Day event as to remind me where I came from once before. Vividly remembering the stinging pain of hunger, I now work towards making a someday worthy contribution to ensuring basic needs are more affordable and accessible in poorer Nicaraguan communities. It gave me great hope sharing this dream with other delegates, receiving encouragement and validation that emboldens me to continue on the journey.
Bringing diverse people together around a table in the spirit of constructive conversation is powerful. From everyone we can learn as well as teach. Regardless of our background, all of us represent a valuable and important aspect of our global humanity and all of us are worthy to share. Out of these conversations, we discover more in common than not, and that realization can unite us across the unfamiliarity and the unknown. Lasting solutions for fierce challenges that society faces requires input from people of diverse background and stations in society. This wisdom is embedded in Global Citizens Circle.
Your voice is every bit important as any other voice.