|
|
 Event Reviews [ add ] |
 |
 |
 |
Posted By: Cam. Rating: 5 / 5. |
Time for change?
I was excited when I heard that my long time colleague and mentor, David Wyatt, was organising a conference on downshifting. There had been quite a passionate and long discussion at the first International Young Professionals Summit in 2001 about the need for us as young professionals to free up time to work on social change. I have known many YPs since to have taken this step - 9 day fortnights, 4 day weeks, pursuing part time jobs.
In the lead up to IYPS 2001, and ever since, I have worked part-time so I would have the opportunity to work on the IYPF and other projects. I have been very fortunate to find paid work in the social change and sustainability field alongside this. While on this journey, I have come to recognise how much of a challenge it is for many to balance their desire to contribute to a better world, their paid jobs, their relationships. Downshifting puts a name to what people are looking for, and the Downshifting movement - launched here in Australia with the Downshifting Downunder conference and organisation - provides a framework and support network for those who have or want to make time for change in their lives.
Because of this, I did not hesitate in getting IYPF involved in the conference. Alexandra Meldrum, one of those YPs who came to IYPS 2001 and who is a volunteer staff member of IYPF and a recent 'downshifter', represented IYPF on the organising team. I went along to the event, learnt a great deal, met some great people, participated in the launch of something that I think is important and potentially very powerful, heard some inspiring stories and had the opportunity to reflect on downshifting, the movement and what it represents.
There are many reasons why downshifting is important, many issues it helps address, many thoughts on opinions on how and why to do it. Some of the other articles and thoughts in this newsletter explore those. However, I think the main issue for us YPs is that with everything going on in our lives, it is often difficult to find time for us, to create space to participate in and contribute to social change projects, to put the things we know are the most important - our health, relationships, happiness - first.
With this in mind, we are inviting you to join a new IYPF network, to slowly, thoughtfully, share and discuss with other YPs interested in downshifting how to do it, how to 'survive' once you have done it, inspire each other, support each other. If you are asking yourself "what is the purpose of my life? what am i here for?" and thinking you might need to 'do less to do more', sign up and introduce yourself. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yp-downshifters or send a blank e-mail to yp-downshifters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
|
|
|
Host Organization
|
 |
|
 |
International Young Professionals Foundation (IYPF)
• Highlight the powerful position and influence Young Professionals have inside corporations, as entrepreneurs and business leaders, and through government roles
• Encourage Young Professionals to actively help make a difference
• Improve the capacity of Young Professionals making a...
|
 |
|
|
|
|
view more
Home
Resources
