Rest is a right, not a reward.
As we come up to the close of the calendar year, wishing you the space and time to have a rejuvenating holiday season. Hope you are able to rest in all the different ways you need and want.
Dear readers,
It’s been some time since we last connected. I hope you’ve been keeping as well as possible despite the dire situations you and your communities might be grappling with close to home and away.
A recent article by Meg Lincoln, ‘Sadness set on fire: Humanitarians are not ok right now’, that was recommended at work, articulates some of what it feels like right now to be a humanitarian, aid worker, and advocate for human rights and social justice. It’s from a few weeks ago, but it rings oh so true:
“Because of their jobs, aid and development workers globally have a unique perspective on this disaster and a distinctly personal connection to the events. First, telling humanitarians that they can’t reach more civilians in Gaza because there’s a siege is like telling firefighters to stand and watch as a house burns down. Their whole purpose is to respond at moments like this. But this time, humanitarians have watched for weeks as more than two million people cower under bombardment and plead for food, water, fuel, medicine and other humanitarian necessities. More supplies are ready to be moved in, but can’t be safely transported at the scale needed without a humanitarian ceasefire. Aid workers feel helpless and guilty for not being able to do more.”
Especially in these challenging times, resting will feel difficult, impossible, and not okay. But rest is your right. It is part of your entitlements - cherish and take full advantage.
As enshrined in Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.”
It is also necessary to create sustainable impact and progress in your personal and professional lives.
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith highlights that many of us are experiencing a ‘rest deficit’ that prevents us from reaching our full potential and experiencing genuine recovery. We need to invest in the seven different rest types to recuperate holistically. It’s not just about physical rest and sleeping more (though very important). It’s about having a comprehensive approach to refuelling and replenishing in all the key domains:
Physical - Passive (Napping, Sleeping, etc.) and Active (Stretching, Yoga, Massages, etc.)
Emotional - Journalling, Therapy, Saying No, Prioritizing, Practice Self-Compassion, Set Boundaries, Communicate your Needs etc.
Spiritual - Prayer, Gratitude Practices, Giving Back to Others, Community Involvement, Meditation, Volunteering, engaging in passion projects, etc.
Mental - Not having back-to-back meetings, building in breaks throughout the day, mindfulness, walking, etc.
Social - Taking a social break, spending time with restorative and supportive people, being mindful of packing your social calendar, scheduling alone time, etc.
Sensory - Technology Detox, Practicing deep breathing, relaxing bath, calming music, etc.
Creative - Being in nature, engaging with art and culture (reading, visiting art galleries, museums, exhibits, concerts, movies), setting aside time for brainstorming, having a retreat/sabbatical, etc.
For us in the thought economy, creative rest is incredibly vital. To that end, I’m looking forward to being out in nature and with loved ones over the holiday break.
—
I’ll be back before the close of the year to share some of my top highlights over the last few months that made me feel so proud of our mission at Team PLAY of the Plan International Canada - to be the go-to platform for young global citizens in Canada.
The range of youth leadership programs and policy advocacy campaigns we have implemented in just the last quarter has me hopeful of our impact by unleashing young people's leadership potential from coast to coast to coast. From building the body confidence and self-esteem of children and youth in Canada to championing climate justice, refugee rights, and youth leadership at global forums like COP28 and the Global Refugee Forum, to fostering the capacity and networks of young people to be effective changemakers and amplifying their voices and access to decision-makers, we have been fiercely committed to children’s rights and equality for girls globally. I can’t wait to see what we will achieve next year!
On that note, with the Summit of the Future set to take place at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, I’m looking forward to sharing with you some of the things I’ll be focused on and how you can get involved over the next year.
Till we connect again, take good care! Find joy in the minutes and the moments - it grounds us and makes the good work possible.
Have a happy, healthy and restful holiday season!
Sincerely,
Anjum
PS: If you want me to circulate jobs, professional development opportunities, and events in future newsletters, please contact me at anjumsultana.mph@gmail.com.
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Upcoming Events + Consultations
Consultation on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy | Cooperation Canada and Global Affairs Canada | January 15, 2024
Harnessing your confidence: Elevating your style and mindset | Women Who Lead | January 17, 2024
Toronto’s Vital Signs Report - Virtual Briefing | Toronto Foundation | January 30, 2024
Opportunities to grow + stretch
Y7, Y20 and HLPF 2024 Youth Delegate Applications | Young Diplomats of Canada | December 17, 2023
Youth Advocacy Program | UNICEF Canada | December 18, 2023
Women in Governance Fellowship | Women Who Lead, Miller Thomson LLP, and Mirams Becker | Deadline December 20, 2023
Black Leadership and Recognition Breakfast Event Awards | Federation of Black Canadians | Deadline December 22, 2023
Black Indigenous Waterways Postdoctoral Fellowship | University of Toronto | December 22, 2023
Africa Fellowship | Global Health Corps | Deadline January 2, 2024
International Youth Fellowship | Aga Khan Foundation of Canada | Deadline February 1, 2024
30+ jobs in policy & public affairs & more
Knowledge Management Consultant | Plan International Canada | December 20, 2023
Director, Programs | Future of Good
Humanitarian Action and Global Cooperation Journalist | Future of Good
Director, Public Affairs | CLHIA
Public Affairs Coordinator | Canada Infrastructure Bank
Director, Government Relations | Fertilizer Canada
Chief Program Officer | BIPOC Executive Search Inc.
Director, Canada Public Policy | Amazon
Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Canada | Google
Director of Communications and Public Affairs | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
Director, Client & Stakeholder Relations | CreateTO | Deadline December 18, 2023
Policy and Advocacy Lead | Dignity Network Canada | Deadline December 20, 2023
Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Global Ambassadors Officer | International Civil Aviation Organization | Deadline December 21, 2023
Executive Director | Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre | Deadline December 22, 2023
Vice President of External | British Columbia Institute of Technology | Deadline December 25th, 2023
Chief Executive Officer | Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) | Deadline December 25th, 2023
Senior Coordinator, Youth Participation | UNICEF Canada | Deadline December 26, 2023
Senior Manager, Program Development, Strategy, and Innovation | Cuso
Senior Director, Policy | Ontario HIV Treatment Network | Deadline December 31, 2023
Communications Coordinator | Plan International Canada | Deadline January 1, 2024
Communications Manager | Aga Khan Foundation of Canada | Deadline January 1, 2024
Director of Policy and Government Relations | Canadian Housing and Renewal Association | Deadline January 2, 2024
Policy Advisor, Gender Equality | International Institute for Sustainable Development | Deadline January 4, 2023
Director, Education (Parental Leave Cover) | Right to Play International | Deadline January 5, 2024
Director, Policy | Toronto Metropolitan University | Deadline January 14, 2023
Policy and Advocacy Lead | Alliance for Healthier Communities | Deadline January 15, 2024
Director of Communications | Covenant House Vancouver | Deadline January 16, 2024
Director - BC | Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives | Deadline January 21, 2024
Communications Officer | Cooperation Canada | Deadline January 21, 2024
Director, Public Affairs & Communications | ACTRA | Deadline January 21, 2024
President and CEO | Habitat for Humanity Canada | Deadline February 4, 2024