Lessons Learned

Mornings have never been a easy for me. I always dreaded the inevitable sound my alarm would make and wake me out of a blissful sleep. Even worse were those early winter mornings when the alarm sounded before the sun rose and subsequently showers often ended 30 min longer than they should have simply because the heat of the shower and lack of sunlight led my ever-too-sleepy self to fall back in to dream world while leaning against the shower door.

This habit, however, was successfully put to rest while living in the Caribbean. In fact, mornings become my favorite part of the day! Just before the dogs start barking, before the gardeners come out, I  lay in bed and listen to my fan blow cool air over my bed and around my room and realize just how lazy a person can be.  I had once thought it impossible to be able to work in a hot climate because of the countless distractions there were from prohibiting work getting done. So now, I got to test it!

My first few weeks were hectic – finding the house, starting work, getting stuff for the house, meeting new friends – and the heat was truly unbearable, like trying to swallow a  brick wall, and incidentally made me lazier and more tired. From about April to September, the islands are less tropical and more a hot and dry desert which makes fruit trees barren and vegetable patches bare. Thankfully, there was ice cream

My favourite part about my job was being able to understand and contribute to each and every program and track its progress. Granted statistics have never really been my thing, so I had been a little nervous when numbers suddenly appeared on the job. Slowly, though, I realized just how significant they can be in judging how a program is going and whether or not results are to be achieved.  So I approached data and tables cautiously and, with the help of an amazing mentor,  even began to develop my own! I learned how to develop indicators that were meant to track progress. I learned how to develop charts and analyze results (I knew Excel was good for something!). Ironically, reading data and understanding it was never a problem – perhaps my fear was all in my head?

Now, I can’t understand why I was ever nervous in the first place and more than anything, I understand the need for Research – both qualitative (i.e interviews, focus groups, observations) and quantitative (ie. surveys, case studies, correlational study) and why research inquiry should be done BEFORE decisions are made, both at the project level and the policy level. For instance, why should we implement a project when the root causes aren’t being addressed?

A really interesting case stuck with me throughout my time at UNICEF and was so exemplary of the importance of research; An HIV/AIDS campaign directed at adolescents had been running for some time, trying to raise the awareness of the disease, how to protect yourself and where to get tested. Simple enough, right? Before the next round of funding could be applied, it was time to conduct an Evaluation / Impact study to examine just how effective the campaign was – were infection rates dropping? were more people being tested? The study revealed the success of the awareness campaign – there was ample knowledge about what the disease was, symptoms and how to protect yourself. The study also showed that despite this knowledge, specifically girls were refusing to ‘say no’ or protect themselves. My reaction = huh?!?!?!?! A giant stigma is attached to HIV/AIDS throughout the Caribbean and this study exemplified that.  The point, which became so clear to me, was that the direction of the project should then shift from an awareness campaign to one that promoted self empowerment and respect.  Without the research, the project would have been addressing something that was entirely unnecessary – think of all the effort and funding that would have been wasted!

Now that I’m back in Canada, I’m trying to apply my knowledge, both from working with women & children’s issues and working in Monitoring & Evaluation, to another initiative, just as meaningful and just as rewarding as the last. It’s going to be tough to top a Caribbean island, but I’m certain there are loads of places that could use help in their project implementation and an oversight mechanism to ensure that research was being used and getting out to the right people.

I was recently discussing this disconnect between research and project implementation and policy with my local MPP, who completely agreed with me and referenced a recent example where the Ontario Ministry of Education has just unveiled a program to help graduating high school students with their applications to university and for OSAP…. Full Stop…Taking a minute to let this concept sink in, my first thought was “Well, if they can’t fill out the forms, how well are they going to do at University?” Was research actually done suggested that this was the best use of taxpayer funds?

Universities are by far the best and well-known centres where knowledge is generated and where anyone can go and obtain information about a  given topic, and if it’s not there, at least they might be able to tell you where to go.  In my ignorance, I expected a team or division to be housed deep within the registrar’s office of every university, working to do just that – bring research and studies to the public; make sure results are shared and findings revealed to those that could benefit.  Sadly, I learned differently when I attended a Knowledge Mobilization Expo for York Region a few weeks ago and was shocked to hear that University’s were just now developing ways to get their research out to members of the community, city and nation.  How disappointed I was (and a little embarrassed) to have assumed that this process had been long in existance – not only that, but also that this phenomenon is still in its infant stages and only a couple of universities in Canada are doing it (!) Tell me again, what’s the point of doing research if it can’t be disseminated to those that can most benefit from it?

Despite having had lunches on the beach, soaked in thermal springs and learned to play the steel pan, there was ample opportunity for professional development and I learned a great deal from my posting. My views on social change and how it can be achieved has certainly been influenced and I hope that I’ll soon be able to apply knowledge to practice while in Canada.

On Caribbean Time

There are no easy ways to convey just how relieved I am to have found work. And not just work, work that I think I’m actually going to enjoy AND in a new location! Really, what more could I ask for? I just landed a grant from CIDA to work with UNICEF Eastern Caribbean office in Barbados as a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer. I couldn’t be more thrilled and am slowly adjusting to my new life on the island.

First, there’s beach everywhere When hot, move closer to the ocean where winds (and the occasional shower) are sure to follow. People are genuinely lovely and although I’m exercising every precaution possible, it doesn’t seem that I’ll need to. They drive on the left, which you’d think would make crossing tough, but no, drivers politely stop traffic to let the random strangler find a way through. There is a lot of rum floating around the island, white, dark and coconut flavored are slowly making me like cocktails again. Vegetables are in short supply due to the  heavy rainy season and imports are pretty expensive, but my dismay at this has been replaced by the vast array of fruits that are sure to join my palate, paw-paw anyone?

As for work, it’s just been a few days, but getting to know the office and the work done here is going to be an uphill climb. I’ll be working with the M&E Specialist who is virtually instrumental in identifying the problems existing on each of the 10 states in the Eastern Caribbean and balancing that with the budgets we have to work with to direct programs and plan for action. I think I’ll have my hands full. The other officers work in Child Protection, dealing with child abuse, corporal punishment, juvenile justice etc and Early Childhood  Development, dealing with advancements in ECE, life skills advancement and HIV/AIDS – I’ll likely have more to say about each of these issues as time progresses and I learn the work more closely.

I’m truly excited to be working with a great group of people, along with my Canadian counterparts working in Communications, ECD and Sport for Development – who incidentally are my roommates! With the help of a German cum-Bajan lady, we were able to find reliable accommodations, in  a nice residential area of town, not too expensive and 10 min walk to the beach! Fruit trees in the back cinched  it for me and off we begin our life in the Caribbean.

Itchy Feet + Light Wallet = Innovative Travel

After a few long weeks of getting back in to the swing of my schedule, the sun is still shining, the birds still chirping and my mind is still wandering – where to go next? I never could figure out how people in warm climates ever got any work done? In my half-daydream / half-web search, I’ve found tons of neat concepts that help the average Joe wander the world on a budget.

First stop : CouchSurfing.org At first, I was a little put off by inviting random tourists to stay on your couch, but after reading through the details, I’m a little less hesitant. Basically, the site allows you to find locals in the places where you’re staying. It gives you the option to meet up and have a local take you around, have a coffee to practice your language skills or stay on the locals’ couch to save on hotel/hostel bills. The rating and feedback function lets you know others’ opinions of your surfer and helps you decide how much time you’re going to spend with the tourist. I like it, but I would approach it cautiously.

Next: I found an article about How to Swap Cities. Again, novel idea but I have my hesitations. Basically swapping is just as it sounds; you transplant yourself in to someone Else’s home and lifestyle for a designated amount of time. It’s a great way to get to really know another city for longer than just the 10-15 days that a holiday would take up and allows you to experience life in another culture/continent. It takes a lot of planning to make it work though – getting work to transfer you temporarily to another office location or convincing them to let you telecommute takes time.

Both of these options require a very high degree of trust between you an your guest and many would shy away from it, knowing since childhood to be weary of strangers. At the same time though, there’s recent studies to suggest that, in general, people are good. The Toronto Star’s experiment with stolen wallets is proof, but being cautious while abroad never hurt either.

Lastly, back to the ol’ faithful money saving tricks: Buy food at the grocery store, go camping, share toiletries, use your feet instead of transit and always, always have enough change to call home, just in case!

Pushing the Limits

I stood at the base of it, looking up and contemplating the outcome of what I was about to do. I hadn’t expected it, but now that I was here, I couldn’t turn back or otherwise face scrutinizing looks and a long trek back. What stood before me wasn’t a mountain or glacier, but instead a ginormous sand dune that formed a sort of cliff overlooking the sea, and which inevitably separated me from my vehicle. I know now, the accomplishment wasn’t so spectacular, but at the time it certainly was! I approached it cautiously, opting to take the slow route on a diagonal instead of the otherwise perilous path upward. Ten feet up, I noticed that my shoes that were meant to be supportive, were actually causing more distress to my climb than expected. I took a moment to untie them, take off my socks and let the sand rush through my toes and oddly enough, it’s my toes that made the journey easier. I glanced over at the sea, taking in the atmosphere, tying my shoes together and throwing them through my purse strap, and turned back to face the task at hand. With a few breaths and subsequent pauses, I finally made it with my friends cheering me along the way! A large bottle of water later and shoes safely back on my feet, I was able to take in exactly what I had done and enjoy the scenery from the top, thankful that I did it, but also relieved it was over! It was certainly a challenge and I’m not one to back down from a challenge, but in hindsight I can see why people push themselves to the very limit, despite the pain and agony that they put their body through, the result is exhilarating – something to tell the grand kids. Although my sand dune wasn’t the Iron Man or the Patagonian Expedition,  it was mine and something to use as a starting point – perhaps my next trek will include ropes and harnesses? Who knows, but anything is possible. And if amputees are known to have crossed the country and climbed mountains, then there is surely no excuse.

A Movement in the Making

I kayaked with a beluga whale! I saw a beaver in the wild! I climbed a sand dune! I could not have said that until a few weeks ago and the exhilaration of it spilled over to my blog – see posted about a week ago. I was truly awestruck and still am marveling that this was indeed my country – really, came at me from out of the blue. If anything, it’s made me even more eco-conscious and a great advocate for eco-travel and conservation.

Ironically, just as the thrill for the natural world subsides, my mood falls in to an abyss as word of wildlife destruction in the Gulf Coast starts to permeate the headlines. Not just any wildlife, but the whales that I had so fondly become accustomed to. Shockingly, these massive animals that fear none have found their match in deadly oil that slowly is killing everything it touches.  What an awful thought! I’m not surprised then that the tourism industry would be affected, not only on the Gulf Coast, but also in Canada where oil exploration continues throughout northern Alberta.

Prospecting for oil is big business, which regardless of good intentions and taking the necessary precautions, is driven by consumerism and is done at the expense of another reliable industry. Opting for greater investment in green technology and alternative energies just might save tourism, or save just about every other business out there. Business are waking up to the realities that consumers do not want to support products that are damaging to the environment, cause wildlife extinction or cause air qualities to deteriorate and alas, the CSR executives, Green PR Consultants and Tech junkies are finding more and more areas for work.

Most of the world is waking up to this reality and Canadian industry is well poised to lead the way. Bombardier was just awarded to created energy savings high speed trains for Chinese expansion (think China’s version of the TGV), but Canada’s National VIA Rail hasn’t yet upgraded. Is it that our politicians and CEO’s are simply too old to adjust in their ways of thinking? It seems counter productive to support oil exploration in the name of business development when it destroys others, while at the same time destroying our quality of life through the air we breathe, the water we drink, the animals we enjoy…the list goes on.

The contradictions are astounding and in searching out solutions and sharing ideas, I’ve recently started to blog on another site : http://www.greeniters.com where I hope to continue to share my thoughts and also learn something new along the way about all things Green. Feel free to visit!

Parting Ways with my Laptop

Dear  Laptop,

I write to you to thank you for your endless hours of devotion and I know that through it all, you were there for me. Your keys have been a helpful reminder that who I am is partly due to your unfailing support. I’ll not forget the long nights we spent together drudging through research reports, surveys, statistics and the like to come up with the perfect research paper, or the feeling of excitement once you found a lost tune via YouTube. You helped me to grasp all that Facebook, Twitter and WordPress have to offer, and although I’m not as close to Excel as I am with you, I feel we’re much closer because you were around. You are truly one of a kind! But unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and it’s with this knowledge that I soon must bid you adieu as your start-up speed, firewall settings and search capabilities – I’m sorry to say it – are falling behind. I don’t consider this a dismissal, but rather a parting of ways that I think will be good for both of us. It might just be time you finally take that trip you finally dreamed of with you wife, Faxie Machine – didn’t you always want to visit Silicon Valley? Think about it. I’ll be looking around for your replacement shortly – perhaps venturing away from PC World altogether, Apple seems to be working wonders for many, and in the meantime, keep you screen up, your keys sharp and look forward to the time when I won’t have to open you up at 5am to check the flight schedule, weather or news. Please know that although our time together may not be as frequent in the future, I consider you more than just a business partner, but a trusted companion and I hope that wherever we may go in the future, that we stay in touch and remain on good terms.

Your friend,

Julie

Memoires de la Belle Province

There are no words to describe the wonders that a good holiday can do to the psyche! I’ve just come back from a few days away and could not be more refreshed! Sunshine and salt water air did a world of good and I’m ready for anything the world throws  at me – well, maybe. I didn’t go far, I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, but was surrounded by good friends, good laughs and good food! I went to Montreal (so many memories!), then on to Quebec City, and then further on to the Saguenay region along the St. Lawrence river.

I can’t believe I’d never experienced this region before – absolutely breathtaking! Just outside of Quebec City, the roads turn hilly – maybe more than hilly, more  like moutain-esque – and our tank of a rental car made for interesting driving! Nature was beautiful, nothing but the green of the trees and the glare of the water to keep our attention on the way. Then as the highway nears the river, little towns dot the sea banks, tourists emerge from the hiking trails and stalls with fresh produce taunt the hungry driver.

The lure of the area is for the sea, the boats, the fresh fruits de mer and …. les baleines! This part of the river is unique for its buffet of underwater treats, attracting underwater creatures of all types, including whales! So beautiful and amazing to see from the coast and even more breathtaking to kayak with the whales! Our first attempt was delayed because of wind and cold, but the following morning at 5am (it takes something special to get me out of bed at that time!) off we went to suit up and get in the water and within 10 minutes, a beluga came our way and swam in between us and  under us and gave us a  little wink Unbelievable and so relaxing to sit in the boat, watch the sunrise on the water with whales  swimming below.

Our trip focused on the outdoors and all it has to offer. What an Adventure! Not for the weak at heart or bad shoe-ed as hiking, bike riding, rock jumping, sand/stair climbing and kayaking were major staples of the trip, and then was proceeded by scrapes, bruises, cuts, heavy breathing and a trip to the doctor :s  Despite the setbacks, it was worth it and my muscles are thankful in the long-run. The wildlife we saw – the belugas, the birds, the beaver – and the views from just about everywhere are unforgettable.

For the most part, traveling was easy. Driver’s and speed limits weren’t nearly as dangerous as in Montreal or Ontario, and finding a place to stay took just a few phone calls – during the summer, many houses turn in to Gites (B&B’s) where traveler’s get a good taste of local culture and cozy atmospheres that only Grandma’s know how to provide. French is widely spoken and my skills were sharpened to the Quebecois accent, though like most foreign places, hand signals and smatterings of English will always helpful.

On our way back, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad that our trip was coming to a close. I’m very nostalgic for the province which always has something new to offer and has captivated my heart for years and saying good bye to out-of-town friends is never easy. Every place I go that I’d like to return to, I always leave something behind that I haven’t done or seen for the next time, promising to return some day. Although I’ve been to Montreal and Quebec as a province more times than I can count, it never seems that I can get to the end of the list of new things to do and see. Can’t wait to starting planning the next one!

The Migrating Melting Pot

For many a New World-er, questions about heritage, history and origin are enormously important, perhaps more so in any other part of the world, because in a sea of multi-cultural and multi-nationals, knowing who you are and where you came from keeps you grounded. Some may even say that old-world mentalities and traditions hold true more strongly in North America than in the home country because it’s so easy to forget. In Canada, the melting pot is truly unique and one of the only places in the world where being an outsider is normal. True that communities with common heritage and backgrounds form, after all we all gravitate to what is familiar and comfortable, but in Canada such communities are never exclusive and learning from each other is part of the fun.

Being a history guru, I’m always fascinated about how people come together, govern together and form communities and nations of people that have shaped our world today. Globalization truly began when explorers began discovering each other and what each other had to offer – find a new trading route, find a new land, find a new culture and voila! we are no longer isolated!

We’ve been experiencing globalization for so long, so why should only a handful of nations boast about their mulit-national/cultural character? Why are small migrant communities still out of the ordinary? Today, I surprisingly read about Irish descendants  in Jamaica, Jewish migrants in Haiti, and  Lebanese migrants in West Africa – who knew? It shouldn’t be surprising, but it is. Economic prospects, family ties and historical circumstances are all push factors, but for some reason it was stronger for some than others. If that’s so, I’m curious how much of an impact the migrant communities made on their new societies, did they integrate well? Did they contribute to growth or stagnation? How did they contribute to their national makeup today? If migration trends had continued, could they have experienced the same sort of melting pot that is so characteristic of Canada today?

Looking to the past doesn’t hold all the answers. Much like our heritage, it can provide understanding and build tolerance which influences the way our future will unfold. Melting pots are tough to achieve, but with an open mind, it’s possible.

It’s a Sustainable Life

Sus-TAIN-able!! Whoa, I hear it everywhere – from Oprah to Obama, on the news, in the papers, around town, in the grocery stores and I’m sure it’s one of those words that will be on next year’s Spelling Bee List. So what the heck does it mean? Seriously, it’s only within the last months, maybe a year that it’s been rolling off the tongue of everyone and it’s been evolving into, sustainable development, sustainable living, sustainable business…just throw a sustainable in front of it and all of a sudden my sentence has drama!

I like it because it has speaks to continuity and maintaining that whatever we have right now will last into the future. Maybe that’s why it pairs so nicely with the Green Movement – ensuring that businesses are responsible to the environment where they work, that our household products are friendly to our ecosystem and that economic and international development projects consider conservation, health and environmental concerns.  It’s a great concept and I happily embrace it. But I also think sustainability can go beyond our concern for the earth and can also be applied to our relationships with each other and among communities.

If I’ve learned anything over the last few decades is that things change, priorities change, people change. That’s why circles of friends are always changing and why the value of old friends and family increases over time. I think if you were to ask anyone, family and friends would be at the top of the list of ‘Most Important Things in Life’. But, it’s not easy to keep such a close network of relationships and it takes work, much more than simply switching laundry detergents or getting a hybrid. Adaptation and prioritizing are key and we’ve clearly done it regarding the environment, but for ourselves and those closest to us, I think many of us have fallen short. Do you think that sustainable relationships and communities are giving way to sustainable growth, innovation and paychecks? If our relationships really are the most important aspects of our lives, then the same fervor, passion and energy that many of us felt for green products, living and  technology, should be – if not more – applied to maintaining our network of relationships. If we did, perhaps we’d have more cordial and sustainable communities – after all, it’s the people that build them, not the other way around.

A Penny a Day…

As tax season comes to a close and accountants climb back in to their hiding places, the mood is either exuberant (“Yay, I can go on vacation! ) or dismal (“oh no, where do I cut back?). Unfortunately for the most of us, it is the latter. Nobody likes to do taxes – it’s not pleasant – but it’s one of life’s small things that are sometimes necessary, like a trip to the dentist, which will hopefully lead to a better quality of life – better health care, better roads, efficient civil service – all those nice things that make Canadian spaces some of the nicest ones  in the world. If it’s for those reasons, then my disdain for the taxman lessens a little bit as it disappears out of sight for another year. However, it’s when money – my hard earned money – that gets spent on ridiculous things that could have been spotted at Wal-Mart of half the cost or done more efficiently by my 12 yr old neighbour.  I’m not in the marketing business or know the most efficient plans for production, but I know how to balance my budget and I don’t think I can say the same for our government.

We’re all going through rough times and cutting back is necessary – finding money that otherwise wasn’t there. That’s why I’m wondering why exactly Ontario and Alberta’s GST & PST will be combined in to the new HST? It costs a lot to change something like that – money, man power and, well, more money. It claims to be the same percentage, in a different package, but it smells more like a marketing a markup. Last night’s CTV news delicately put it that haircuts, alcohol and construction supplies will be marked up after June 1st.

And so, we must look elsewhere – and yes, it’s come to this – to our own Members of Parliament. Ironic isn’t it, that the government yields the ability to look at everyone else finances, but we rarely get to look at theirs? And it’s looking like we won’t get that chance as the MP’s are refusing to let the Attorney General take a peek. Why would they do that other than to hide the elaborate escapades and bloated bank accounts? If you were really working for the people you represent and want to share in their burden, you’d at least allow the pro’s to take a peek and make suggestions about where to cut back, wouldn’t you?

Finding money is tough! Despite being reprimanded by the US, the UN and the EU, Canada is persevering and will find that money if it’s the last thing they do! Unfortunately it comes in the form of oil and in collaboration with China – I’m not so sure if this is the type of business that we want, from environmentally compromising to politically damaging, it doesn’t look good. Shouldn’t we learn from the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico?

In the meantime, it may be true that unemployment rates are slowly shrinking, but not in the way that most of us hope – favoring the low skilled and leaving the managers, executives and highly educated out in the cold. This is not wise, as they are the ones that might have been able to bring in more revenue and therefore more tax opportunities for the province and country. And attracting that type of business is daunting, though not as tough as you might think. Canada’s a great place to do business – close enough to the US border that trade with it is accessible; the dollar is nearly on par; the market has just as much spending power as what Americans do, if not more; and the quality of life and attractiveness of our cities would make any new exec be pleased. Of course, business varies from sector to sector, but in a nutshell – all we’d need to do is create tax incentives for development and support growth opportunities.

Canada is not the US and it never will  be, so finding money and cutting back will always be a challenge. Canadians aren’t dumb either, we know how great our country is and so we don’t let the cost our our taxes deter us from loving it. Our government, however, is a different story; unaccountable MP’s; investment to destroy the environment and lack of work for trained professionals. I love Canada, but the recent ways that we’ve been tackling our economic woes isn’t the way to make Canada better.