Tamarack Institute Changemaker Experience: Creating leaders for tomorrow
February 5, 2024
By: Auz Momin
Later this month the Tamarack Institute will be welcoming the 2024 cohort of the Changemaker Experience program—a seven-part workshop series designed to enhance the leadership skills of individuals making a positive impact in their communities. As a Core Collaborator of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement, Tamarack aligns with Centre's mission, emphasizing collaborative strategies to address community issues in Canada and globally. The Centre for Peace Advancement serves as a collaborative space for organizations and innovators committed to advancing peace.
Motivated by her indirect experiences in conflict-ridden Gambia, and a desire to change the stigma around discussing conflict, Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) student Fatoumatta Camera is looking forward to participating in the Changemaker Experience. “The belief in the potential of peaceful coexistence and the conviction that education is a powerful catalyst for societal transformation” inspired Fatoumatta to pursue her MPACS degree. In hand with her education, Fatoumatta is “passionate about creating spaces for dialogue on conflict prevention and fostering peacebuilding initiatives.” Her focus is to recognize the pivotal roles children, young people, and women play in shaping the fabric of our communities.
Fatoumatta is also acting as a interim Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Advancement which resonates with her personal values of fostering positive change and promoting peace. Fatoumatta explained that as an international student, finding an ideal job aligned with her values posed its own set of challenges. However, discovering the role of the Coordinator was a game-changer, as it allowed her to satisfy her professional aspirations and to contribute to the vibrant peacebuilding community at UWaterloo. “It's more than a job; it's a platform where I can grow, learn, and actively pursue my passion for making a difference!” she expressed.
The Changemaker Experience offers participants the opportunity to invest in their leadership skills while sharing personal perspectives. These individuals, recognized as “conveyers and catalysts,” bring together their leadership skills and experience to achieve positive outcomes. “The decision to apply for the Tamarack Changemaker Experience is rooted in my unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth in the field of community change." explained Fatoumatta. She finds that Tamarack's reputation for driving impactful, community-driven initiatives aligns seamlessly with her aspirations.
During the program, Fatoumatta will interact with colleagues nationwide, acquiring new skills and frameworks for effective leadership for change. This experience will include reflective activities, coaching, and insights from lead practitioners. By the program’s end, Fatoumatta will have an expanded network of potential collaborators to launch her ideas for change. She believes that this seven-month program has immense potential for career development. “This experience is a golden opportunity to access the latest thinking, tools, and resources essential for translating my social change goals into tangible outcomes.” Fatoumatta shared.
Fatoumatta’s journey, as an MPACS student, Program Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Advancement, and a future participant of the Changemaker Experience embodies the core values of the Centre. By working with Core Collaborators such as Tamarack Institute, the Centre for Peace Advancement provides innovators and tomorrow's leaders a space to grow and learn. Learn more about the Changemaker Experience.