Be a little kind to each other
Having visited Uganda as a teenager during an exchange programme, Ernst became fascinated with the strength and resilience of street children, inspiring him to pursue studies into the effects of sport and recreation on young people’s experiences with trauma. His research drew the attention of the international NGO War Child, resulting in a professional (and personal) journey of purpose, passion and trying to make an impact. For many year Ernst worked for War Child in war zones and refugee camps in countries like Sudan, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan, meeting children whose lives had been drastically impacted by conflict and giving them an opportunity to learn, play and discover their full potential, seemingly against all odds. Now Ernst continues those efforts as the Managing Director of War Child in the Netherlands leading an organisation that is focusing strongly on the psychological and emotional wellbeing of children affected by war.
How I build bridges is by trying to be non-judgmental and to be brutaly honest – this is a daily act and effort – because it’s not easy not to judge. Having an open mind sounds super simple, but we – humans – do find that very difficult. Being aware and conscious about this, and doing your level best to ask questions, be eager to listen and avoid having an opinion instantly = is key to success of bridging. Seeing the other, listening and allowing a different perspective than yours (and your bubble) will contribute to amazing connections. Give it a shot!
During the Visionary Voices, speakers coming from a wide variety of both business and non-business related sectors get the opportunity to inspire the next generation with their visions. During this event, a diverse group of speakers share stories about their life journey and topics they are passionate about in an intimate theatre setting. There will…