Rethinking the VOFCN

Hello everyone! Happy New Year!

As you know, this year's Voices of Our Future program is well underway, with the new Correspondents working on their second assignment, the Frontline Journal. While they're hard at work on this unique assignment, we want to do our best to provide as much support as possible. And so, we are turning to you with an idea.

We are considering changing the purpose of VOFCN from an alumni group to a more active networking group for both graduates of the program and current Correspondents. We envision this group becoming a place for the Correspondents to engage your experience with the program, ask questions on the learning materials and assignments, and generally using you as informal guides and mentors on their training journey.

We would like to start this new purpose for the group immediately, with the Correspondents who are currently in the training program. In the years following, we would connect the 30 selected Correspondents at the beginning of each program (instead of in the middle, like for this year). In this way we can build a growing network of grassroots women activists using social media and citizen journalism to accelerate change.

So, what do you think? As our first group of graduates, you have a unique perspective on this program. Do you think that this additional layer of support will help our trainees? Is this group a good space for connecting and discussing challenges and opportunities? We look forward to hearing your feedback within the week, as we are eager to get started.

Warm wishes,
Scott