I am happy to present to you the Online Community TIG Stars for August! This month, Tih Felix of the Global Issue Peace & Conflict team is our Coordinator TIG Star and Hala Sayed of the Global Issue Culture team is our Volunteer TIG Star. Congratulations to you both and on behalf of TIG I want to thank you for your continuous commitment and dedication!
Read on to find out what inspires and motivates them!
Tih Felix (Global Issue Peace & Conflict), Cameroon, OC Coordinator TIG Star August 2012
1. When did you become involved with TakingITGlobal’s online volunteer team? What motivated you to become an online volunteer?
I have been involved with TakingITGlobal since 2007; it’s only since 2010 that I joined the online volunteer team. I am motivated by the importance of youth participation, Youth participation leads to better decisions and outcome. Many of the profound difficulties faced by young people around the globe: illiteracy, poverty, HIV/AIDS, discrimination and forced engagement in armed conflict are subjects of widespread concern at national and international levels, so coming together on this online platform to share thoughts and experience inevitably brings change and raises awareness in the world.
2. What attracts you to your role as a volunteer?
I have a concern for humanity, I’ve been both online and field volunteer in various organisations since my young age, Meeting with people from other cultures, sharing knowledge, helping others, bringing change and development in the community makes me to commit more and more.
3. What have you learned from the experience so far?
I have learned that it is by questioning, expressing young people’s views and having their opinion taken seriously that they develop skills, build up competences, acquire confidences and form aspirations. The more opportunities a young person has for meaningful participation, the more experienced and competent he/she becomes. This allows more effective participation which in turn enhances development.
4. What advice would you give other young people out there interested in becoming online volunteers?
Being an online volunteer enables you to work in almost total freedom or independently. When volunteering online you work when you can, so one can give his/her best.
5. What are your overall thoughts on the experience?
I am Happy,
I believe in Freedom!
Hala Sayed (Global Issue Culture), Canada,, OC Volunteer TIG Star August 2012
1. When did you become involved with TakingITGlobal’s online volunteer team? What motivated you to become an online volunteer?
I joined the TakingITGlobal online volunteer team in early April. I've just finished a volunteer exchange program with Canada World Youth which helped me develop a new global perspective and a better understanding of what Global Citizenship really means. After this program I decided to get more and more involved in empowering youth through the promotion of global citizenship and that's what motivated me to volunteer with TIG.
2. What attracts you to your role as a volunteer?
Continuous learning is one of the main aspects that attracts me to my role as a volunteer here. Through my role as a volunteer I've discovered so many different perspectives on global issues that I was never aware of.
3. What have you learned from the experience so far?
If I had to narrow it down it'll all boil down to: the importance of youth in our virtually connected world nowadays.
4. What advice would you give other young people out there interested in becoming online volunteers?
To do it! Don't only think about it, pursue it and work hard on getting that position and then work hard on keeping up with what's expected from you as a volunteer in that role.
5. What are your overall thoughts on the experience?
It's a great and unique volunteering experience. It's definitely one of the most globally connected volunteer position I've ever experienced. I would recommend it to all the young people worldwide who care about and are interested in staying informed and aware of our world.
