Unlocking The Power Within

Hi everyone,

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it takes to be a leader.

In my view, one of the foundational elements is?building confidence?AND?community.

Through this platform - whether it is the newsletter I curate or the events I organize - I try to foster that sense of community: we are all in it together. Folks passionate about policy and public affairs in Canada and beyond know they have a place to connect and learn.

I am also very passionate about engaging in mentorship and sponsorship, providing stretch opportunities, and building people up: their capabilities and their confidence. I strongly believe that the more socially-conscious and civically engaged leaders we have, the better our society will be.

But how do you even get to that stage where you think: I can do this.

How do you build that confidence & self-esteem and that sense of purpose?

A substantial body of?evidence?highlights the correlations between having a strong sense of self-esteem early on in life and the achievement of leadership positions later on. When young people believe in themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin, we all prosper.

That’s why I am proud of?Plan International Canada's?work with young people of all gender identities to foster a strong sense of body confidence and self-esteem to promote youth leadership.

Right now, my team and I are in the process of better understanding the systemic barriers to promoting body confidence and self-esteem in Canada. Join us and share your views and recommendations; please consider contributing via the online survey here - it would mean a lot to me and will go on to inform national policy dialogues on this topic and a policy recommendations report set to be launched this Fall:?https://bit.ly/The-Power-Within-Survey-English

With hope and heart,

Anjum