Flashback - VCIL Travel School 2019

Our VCIL Travel School in December 2019 in India and Thailand with the theme "Paradigm Shift towards New Stories". Wish I can write a whole book about it someday... 💖

A Blessing for Leaders

An inspiring poem by John O'Donohue, from the welcome message at Peace Practice Alliance platform.

May you have the grace and wisdom to act kindly,
learning to distinguish between what is personal and what is not.

May you be hospitable to criticism.
May you never put yourself at the centre of things.
May you act not from arrogance but out of service.
May you work on yourself, building up and refining the ways of your mind.

May those who work for you know you see and respect them.
May you learn to cultivate the art of presence in order to engage with those who meet you.

When someone fails or disappoints you, may the graciousness with which you engage
be their stairway to renewal and refinement.

May you treasure the gifts of the mind through reading and creative thinking
so that you continue as a servant of the frontier
where the new will draw its enrichment from the old, and you never become functionary.

May you know the wisdom of deep listening, the healing of wholesome words,
the encouragement of the appreciative gaze, the decorum of held dignity,
the springtime edge of the bleak question.

May you have a mind that loves frontiers
so that you can evoke the bright fields that lie beyond the view of the regular eye.

May you have good friends to mirror your blind spots.
May leadership be for you a true adventure of growth.

- A Blessing for Leaders, John O'Donohue

Joining Peace Practice Alliance 2022 Cohort

After the interview in December, I am happy to be accepted and ready to join the Peace Practice Alliance 2022 Cohort!

"The Peace Practice Alliance holds space for emerging peacebuilders to deeply connect, learn, reflect, and gain resources and certification with similarly visionary leaders around the world to further their peace leadership practices. Organized by Euphrates Institute, the Peace Practice Alliance program cultivates and nourishes communities of peace leaders." Announcing the Peace Practice Alliance 2022 Cohort!

"We are excited to announce our new cohort of peace leaders for the 2022 Peace Practice Alliance (PPA)! We have 30 participants joining us from 17 countries around the world from Afghanistan to Vietnam, Nigeria to Palestine, and so many more. This cohort will once again be supported by a group we call our Learning Committee, six global thought leaders and the Euphrates team. Over the next six months the 2022 cohort will join together heart to heart, cultivating and nourishing this community of peace leaders. Rich in resources and deep connection, the PPA deepens the practice of peace leadership within ourselves and in our relationships with each other. We look forward to learning, growing, and practicing together. We invite you to get to know these beautiful leaders by visiting our site to read short bios on each participant." ~ Euphrates Institute ~

More about the program: https://www.euphrates.org/peacepracticealliance 

Here is our 2022 cohort: https://www.euphrates.org/ppa-2022 Can you find me there? I am listed as "Thùy" (Thuy Duong Pham), though it is not really my given name (Thuy Duong as it should be, but it's ok). ;)

Completed the South and Southeast Asian Green Leaders Academy program

Just received the certificate of completion signed by Patrick Arnold (CEO and Founder of 10 billion strong) for the South and Southeast Asian Green Leaders Academy program (October - December 2021). https://www.tenbillionstrong.org Love their Leadership Philosophy and Theory of Change, which really resonate with the leadership development fellowship journey that I have been through at Teach for Vietnam. Just would like to quote them here as a reminder for myself.

10 Billion Strong - Theory of Change

We work for long-term sustainability through a portfolio of programs which create opportunities for young people across the world to learn, connect, and act on critical environmental issues.

Our short-term goals are to educate youth and to drive immediate impact in communities through sustainability-focused action and policy changes at the community level. By harnessing the power of networks and collective action to share information, ideas, support, and best practices can flow from community to community.

Our longer impact will be achieved by developing leaders who can champion sustainability efforts, no matter what career track they take or location they live in. By investing in youth, and creating lifelong support networks, our community will have sustained impact across all sectors, including business, government, labor, and nonprofit organizations.

Leadership Philosophy

At 10 Billion Strong, we have three core pillars that define our leadership philosophy. First, we believe that anyone can be a leader and that leadership isn’t a position, but rather a set of actions. Second, we believe that the best leaders are those that work to create other leaders. Finally, we believe that leadership is a life-long process of constant improvement and self-reflection.

Culture Manifesto

Collective Action - We believe that our work is amplified through collaboration with others and that with a shared vision, we can create change at scale. 

Everyone a Leader - Our community supports all people to develop the belief and ability that leadership can be initiated by anyone, regardless of title or position. We also believe that everyone can and should teach and share. 

Systems Practice - We know that understanding and leveraging systems is the key to effecting meaningful changes. We actively work to think "big picture" and find the most effective methods for impact.

Strength Through Diversity - Our shared challenges cannot be solved by a small group speaking and acting for the rest of the world. We value and insist on authentic inclusion, which acknowledges historical legacies of power and privilege, for a new vision of true collaboration. 

​Imagine the Potential - Too many environmental movements focus on doom and gloom, fire and floods. Instead, we seek to imagine a bright and bold future that is uplifting and inspiring. 

Nothing for Us, Without Us - This simple statement carries a lot of weight. Embedded in it are the values of inclusion, humility, respect for local input, and authentic collaboration.