Thinking Strategically About Sharing CSW Work and Experiences

Even before I learned that submitting session notes is required for Practicum participants (to create a CSW report for WILPF), I was thinking strategically about what platform/software I should choose. Ultimately, I chose a share-able Google Drive document for my notes (found at: http://tinyurl.com/n4oub3t), and I set to typing furiously while listening to a fantastic variety of informative, inspiring and challenging speakers.

Taking good notes was one of my main goals for this WILPF Practicum experience at the 58th Commission on the Status of Women, which may seem a bit nerdy, but I believe it will be beneficial in a number of ways. First, I was focused on notes because I think that great, detailed notes will be a starting point for reflection on my experience, and being able to dig more deeply into the many issues and campaigns that I’ve learned about for the first time here. I expect to write more (blogs, articles for my school websites, maybe even a letter to the editor) about my experience at the CSW in the upcoming months, and being able to pull out illustrative and inspiring details and quotes will bring that writing to life. I know I won’t soon forget my new hero, Gita Sen, responding to a question about the French Catholic Church’s efforts to oppose comprehensive sexual health education for adolescents with, “Why do hierarchies that do not recognize my [Hindu] soul’s right to heaven care so much about my body on earth?” With her words enshrined in my notes, I hope never to forget my feeling of pride in her courage and eloquence in representing women globally.

In addition to being a benefit to me going forward as a resource for writing and projects, I wanted to share my notes with others to explain and share my experience here. As I’m sure is true for most students at the Practicum, I’ve had support from my academic program and mentors, as well as friends and family, in applying for and attending the Practicum. I know that many of those people will have questions about the events I attended and overall learnings and perspective changes. I look forward to engaging in those conversations, and I’m glad to have a more in-depth account of the events I attended prepared as a reference for people who want more detail.

I began sharing my notes with my contacts at the beginning of the week, and have already been able to engage with colleagues in my public health and public policy graduate programs at the University of Michigan about CSW events- sometimes almost in real time. The notes, for me, are also ultimately a source of academic and professional accountability to people and organizations that saw value in my participation in the Practicum and helped me get here.
I would encourage future participants to think strategically about how documenting their experience will enable them to share it successfully, and what kinds of social media and software is most appropriate for the audiences they intend to engage.

Thank you,
Alyssa Mouton

MPP/MPH Candidate, University of Michigan