My wonderful journey here begun, when the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) sent out a call to the One Hundred and Ninety (190) Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to submit an innovative project/idea to better the lives of the communities that we live in. I submitted my idea and I was one of the lucky ones chosen. Part of our training towards being a Global Innovative Pioneers for the year was a workshop in Madrid, Spain from January 23rd to 27th, 2017. I must admit that I was scared upon my arrival in Spain. I thought coming from a small island that I would not fit in but that wasn't the case. Everyone was very welcoming, friendly and helpful. This workshop was amazing. It was an eye opener to all the innovation that is going on around the world. This workshop made us think out of the box. This was one amazing and wonderful experience. All the sessions were very interesting and very useful. Our session with John A. Sweeney, Futures and Foresight was great. I really enjoyed Dr. Howard Rush (Howdy) sessions especially when we had to come up with innovative ideas for a refrigerator and saw the different ideas for the shopping cart. The ideas for the refrigerator were unbelievable, funny, forward thinking and amazing. We also went through the Innovation journey with him, which was not as simple as I thought. It is a long journey but a journey that would be worth it in the end. John Wick from Airbus Group, was very helpful with the project that we had to do in Madrid (Ways to help the the Tourism Industry in Madrid). He taught us about prototype and setting timeline ad sticking to them (which I now use at work and it has been working pretty good). He is one tough cookie, but a cookie that is great at what he does and he really help us with our project, it's almost like we were lost until he came along. We learned about the revolution of the Michelin tyre from the two Michelin representatives and they helped us with our pitch. We visited a few innovative hubs which were so inspiring. The set up was not like the typical office set up, this set up allowed for free thinking and individuality. Going out into the communities gave us a chance to do a bit of sightseeing and we got to learn about Madrid, their culture and some of the history. Our tour of the Spanish Red Cross was very informative and we got to see all the work that the Spanish Red Cross is doing, we were supposed to have gotten a tour in the tunnel but due to time we did not get to do it which was a little disappointing because I came up with this great plan to get lost in the tunnel so I would never have to leave, that's how much I was loving this experience. This experience made me realize that no matter where you are from, you can fit it. No idea is a bad idea. It is okay to think outside the box and it is okay to be INNOVATIVE. It is okay to fail and stubble through challenges, just never give up and it is okay to start over as long as you learn from your mistakes, use them to motivate you to be better and do better. I have learnt so much and still learning. I am doing stuff I never imagine that I would ever be able to do. I have learnt that I have a creative side to me. I have met a lot of wonderful, caring and helpful people along this journey so far. I felt so spoiled in Spain :), everyone was looking out for the little Caribbean girl, who was always cold and couldn't sleep, I was offered jackets and medication. I was always giving a seat on the Metro and I am yet to pay for my own Metro ticket (LOL). A huge THANK YOU GUYS for everything. XOXO.
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Author- Mesha KingI volunteer with the St. Lucia Red Cross and my innovative project as being a Global Innovation Pioneer is to promote healthy eating, fun exercise routines and starting vegetable gardens in the various schools in St. Lucia. ArchivesCategories |