Defining the Decade
Elah reviews the Lumsden Leadership Summit talk on Women in International Relations.
For the aspiring professional female, the intense world of foreign affairs and international relations, mostly male-dominated professions, can seem intimidating. However, there are people motivated to change that. Throughout the past week, the Lumsden Leadership Summit organised various talks covering a range of disciplines, aimed at showcasing a collaboration of successful women from a diverse range of fields. Dr. Roxani Krystalli, our own professor at St Andrews, extensively researches topics such as Feminist peace and conflict, and facilitated the conference, which featured a range of women with a huge depth of experience. This included Anna Walters (currently based in Kenya with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), Dr. Elisabeth Kendall (based in Oxford University and Yemen, as a Senior Research Fellow in Arabic and Islamic Studies) and, Ellen Wong (Principal Officer of the U.S. Consulate General in Edinburgh). Whilst international relations may not be for everyone, the conference raised a multitude of issues and experiences which transcend the field and are applicable for any female wishing to succeed in a male-dominated field.
The common issue surrounding the tendency for women to underestimate their abilities was a clear theme recognised by all the contributors, who emphasized the need to overcome this sense of imposter syndrome. Whilst certainly not only affecting women, self-doubt and uncertainty are perhaps inherently female tendencies as feeling out of place in a man’s world. Dr. Krystalli highlights her fear of ‘walking too far off the map’ when selecting a career, recalling the sense of loneliness she felt in straying from the path of law and investment banking, instead opting to work in peacekeeping in Guatemala. However, she disregards this fear – the map is simply not fixed. The need for bravery is further backed up by Anna Walters, who notes the need to adopt a more fearless attitude when applying for certain career positions. This sense of encouragement in paving a new path is further illustrated by Ellen Wong, who notes the excitement and power in being among the first woman in a certain field. Ellen mentions an added sense of responsibility, in that ‘you are representing people who are not there’. Dr. Kendall, unfortunately, admits there is the need for a woman to be just ‘a bit better’ within the workplace. We must do more than men, to be regarded as their equal. Interestingly, Anna Walters added that gender may not always be a limitation. She urges us to ‘take advantage’ of it, demonstrating how as a female she was allowed increased access to hearing female Rohingya refugees’ stories, in Bangladesh, whilst men were barred, thereby sharing some similarities with Dr. Kendall and her experiences in Yemen.
And the best part a job in international relations brings? All women’s answers illustrated the dynamic and interesting nature their jobs provided, at times detailing with the weird and wonderful. There appeared to be a real sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, whether through seeing a greater inclusion of women, enforcing global standards, experiencing a fresh set of views within the scholarly world, or promoting cross-cultural relationships and alliances. You might think, what’s the point of talking about a jet-setting job as we sit at home? Indeed, whilst recognising we are all too painfully familiar of the bad and the boring the pandemic has brought on, the discussion panel set forth the positives it may bring. Dr. Kendall illustrated its effects in a new light, highlighting how moving online and engaging remotely in peace talks, has provided new opportunities and increased accessibility without travel as an issue. She notes the new ‘opportunity to include huge roomfuls of women and ask their views’ from marginalised communities.
In addition to providing greater accessibility, there is also a strong sense that the pandemic has improved out ability to develop and build a skill set that may be applied in future situations. Its unpredictable nature may improve flexibility skills – a key skill required, as Anna highlights in working for the Commonwealth, by having to move regularly for job postings, Dr. Krystalli further agreed with the idea that we can use this situation as a means of growth and development. She notes that whilst travel has barred certain opportunities, passion for a certain cause can be applied within a national, or local, context. It was interesting insight, reinforcing the huge variation of the female experience across the world. Too often, we associate the term ‘women’ as a generalisation that sums up all women, and all experiences – we fight for all womenkind. We should instead reject this simplification and consider women’s experiences as hugely varied, whilst recognising there are certain commonalities.
A conference dealing with important matters such as the difficulties of female representation, and challenges brought by our current unique situation, it still undeniably possessed an atmosphere of hope. The presence of four successful women, inspiring a new generation, is a strong testament to the opportunities possible – even if they seem hard to obtain.
Say, you got a nice blog article. Great.
Thanks for helping out, superb info. “Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it.” by Tallulah Bankhead.
Enjoyed every bit of your blog.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
I am impressed with this internet site, really I am a big fan .
Really informative article post.Thanks Again. Want more.
I am so grateful for your blog.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
Very neat article. Awesome.
Highly descriptive article, I liked that a lot. Will there be a part 2?|
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
I truly appreciate this article.Much thanks again.
Im thankful for the blog.Really thank you! Really Cool.
I like looking through a post that can make people think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!|
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept|
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this website; this weblog consists of amazing and in fact good stuff for visitors.|
I cannot thank you enough for the blog article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
you’re actually a excellent webmaster. The website loading velocity is incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a fantastic activity in this topic!|
Thanks again for the article post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
I think this is a real great blog article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Great blog article.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
Great, thanks for sharing this article post. Awesome.
It’s remarkable designed for me to have a web site, which is good in support of my experience. thanks admin|
I am in fact glad to glance at this web site posts which contains tons of helpful information, thanks for providing these kinds of data.|
Fantastic blog.Thanks Again. Cool.
Wow, this post is nice, my younger sister is analyzing such things, therefore I am going to convey her.|
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this site, since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for a lot more of your respective exciting content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.|
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own blog now ;)|
Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological world everything is available on net?|
Your method of describing everything in this piece of writing is really fastidious, all can effortlessly know it, Thanks a lot.|
Thanks very nice blog!|
Informative article, exactly what I needed.|
If you are going for best contents like me, simply pay a quick visit this site everyday because it offers quality contents, thanks|
Fabulous, what a website it is! This blog provides valuable information to us, keep it up.|
I’d like to find out more? I’d care to find out some additional information.|
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.|
Hey there, You’ve performed an incredible job. I will definitely digg it and in my view recommend to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.|
Hello friends, how is all, and what you would like to say on the topic of this post, in my view its truly awesome in support of me.|
Very informative blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
I’m not sure exactly why but this site is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.|
This is the right blog for anybody who would like to find out about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that has been discussed for years. Excellent stuff, just excellent!|
Currently it sounds like Drupal is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?|
Hey very nice blog!|
I have read so many articles on the topic of the blogger lovers but this paragraph is really a pleasant piece of writing, keep it up.|
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.|
Quality posts is the crucial to be a focus for the people to visit the site, that’s what this web site is providing.|
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!|
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea|
Very good article post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Say, you got a nice blog post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
A big thank you for your blog.Thanks Again. Cool.
Very good blog post. Great.
I like the helpful info you supply to your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at again right here frequently. I am relatively sure I’ll be told a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the following!
Very good article post.
Very informative blog post.Really thank you! Will read on…
Really enjoyed this post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Thank you ever so for you blog. Will read on…
Really appreciate you sharing this article post.Thanks Again. Really Great.
I’m not sure exactly why but this site is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
Muchos Gracias for your article. Really Cool.
Appreciate you sharing, great article post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Enjoyed every bit of your blog article.Much thanks again. Great.
Thank you ever so for you blog post. Really Cool.
Thank you for your blog.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
I really liked your blog article. Really Great.
I loved your blog.Much thanks again. Awesome.
Awesome blog.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
For the reason that the admin of this web site is working, no doubt very rapidly it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.|
Really informative post. Really Great.
That is a very good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!|
Superb blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get feed-back from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Bless you!
I really like and appreciate your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
I really liked your post.Much thanks again. Awesome.