Social Change Contributor: From Events Volunteer to Making a Difference

As an International Relations student, I have come to recognize the pressing need for collective efforts in addressing the myriad global issues and crises we face today. At my very first stage of contributing to the social community, I joined in volunteer activities to help. In this post, I will mention my volunteer projects at non-profit organizations (NPOs) and their remarkable results both for relating objects and my growth. 

From Events team-member to Events leader at educational NPO: V.Gen Network for Vietnam 

In 2021, I began my journey towards positive social change by joining the Events department at V.Gen Network, a non-profit organization (NPO) in Vietnam. V.Gen Network, established in 2018, promotes leadership and civic engagement through educational programs, notably the V.Gen School. This initiative targets youth in underprivileged areas, like the Mekong Delta, fostering critical thinking and inclusivity to promote educational equity and accessibility.

I understand that positive social change's clear impact takes time and is hard to measure. Besides collecting testimonials of former participants, the V.Gen Network team also follows their journey after finishing courses. Here are some outstanding figures of this organization over the six years since 2018. 

In 2022, I became the new leader of the Events team. Taking on leadership of the Events team provided me with a comprehensive understanding of events management, including planning, human resource administration, as well as overall and detailed management. This hands-on experience likely honed my skills in problem-solving, communication, and decision-making, while also fostering my ability to adapt to various situations. Such growth opportunities are invaluable in my professional development.

How I was reviewd by V.Gen's President

Ms. Malie showcased outstanding leadership by organizing rigorous training programs for Vietnamese youth, adeptly managing teams and fostering collaboration. She shows a keen curiosity, actively engages in brainstorming sessions, and brings valuable management insights. Her clear communication, coupled with a strong work ethic, greatly influenced the organization's establishment. - said Mr. Hau

Courses taken aiming to contribute more effectively

Organizing events, centred around diversity, inclusion, and equity, where attendees came from varied backgrounds, prompted me to delve deeper into foundational knowledge and theory. Consequently, I actively engaged in numerous supplementary courses and workshops to stay abreast of developments and make informed decisions. Here are some of programs that I joined.

• UNICEF Vietnam - Youth-led Action Initiative casecade training - Jan 2024

• HCMC Women's Empowerment Club - Events and Communications supporter - From 2022 to 2023

• PISE - The Diversity and Inclusion Workshop - Nov 2022

• ECUE - Waves of feminism: Applying historical lessons to the present in Vietnam - May 2022

I appreciate all the chances that I have got on this journey. They brought me to new and diverse environments where excellent people were dedicating their skills and love to a powerful social change while I learnt and enhanced my skill set in events management. See how I applied those soft skills and experience to my internship and other jobs here.