Change Alumni - Rambiniintsoa

ALUMNI BLOG: MEET RAMBINIINTSOA LIANO JESSICA

Rambiniintsoa Liano Jessica is from Madagascar and a former CFC participant (2015) under YWCA Madagascar. For her, meeting so many different cultures and personalities has greatly influenced the way I see the world and the importance of diversity in development.

What has been the most significant change in your life after participating in the Communication for Change program?

- I would say that I have gained a lot of confidence and independence, both personally and professionally. I was able to meet other amazing, aspiring young leaders. I am very happy with the huge network that CFC has helped me create.

Your experience at the Communication for Change program – How the opportunity to engage and grow with other youth has helped shape/change your view of the world?

- Meeting so many different cultures and personalities has greatly influenced the way I see the world. Instead of trying to compare other cultures to my own, I became more interested in listening to what young people from other parts of the world had to share. What problem do they have, if it is the same problem, and how do they deal with it? This experience opened my eyes to diversity, but also to what we have in common.

How are these experiences relevant to the work that you are doing today? 

I now work in an English-speaking institution and since English was the language spoken during CFC, it helped me to move easily in my work environment. In addition, I am often in contact with other nationalities, and having participated in CFC helped me to better understand the differences between others. It also definitely helped me gain leadership skills! 

What advice would you give to current and aspiring CHANGE participants?

- Active listening: being genuinely curious about the other person, their culture and their ideas.

- Understand the other person's point of view in case of conflict. Dare to speak, don't overthink. Other people have probably had the same question/answer. There are no bad ideas!

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