From Regional Patient Advocate Fiona Wardman
To enhance support across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, I have transitioned some of my responsibilities to my colleagues, Yong Hao and Fanny, the RPA leads for other APAC region countries. I focus on supporting Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other Oceania countries, ensuring they continue receiving the guidance needed for growth and development. This redistribution allows us to tailor our efforts more effectively to meet the unique needs of each country.
Uniting Leaders at the 2024 HAEi Global Leadership Workshop (GLW) Breakout Session
During my GLW breakout session, we brought together leaders from my group of countries—Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, as well as those from Canada and the USA. This gathering was a valuable opportunity for these countries to exchange knowledge, discuss key challenges, and develop collaborative strategies to strengthen their organizations. Leaders from each country actively shared their ideas, challenges, and diverse experiences, contributing to an inclusive and highly interactive environment.
A highlight of the session was the introduction of two new HAEi resources: the HAEi Patient Travel & Relocation Guide and the HAEi Virtual Meeting Resource. HAEi developed these tools to support patients navigating relocation challenges and to help organizations improve their virtual engagement practices. The reception to these resources was overwhelmingly positive, with leaders recognizing their potential to benefit their respective communities significantly.
A key focus during the discussions was on expanding outreach using modern approaches. Leaders emphasized utilizing social media platforms to amplify awareness, share impactful patient stories, and spread valuable resources. Ideas like offering internships and creating engaging podcasts were also explored as fresh ways to connect with broader audiences and draw attention to advocacy efforts.
Participants highlighted successful advocacy campaigns that led to discovering new patients and increasing collaboration with medical professionals. The group also tackled common hurdles such as resource limitations and youth engagement barriers, sharing practical solutions to address these challenges.
Despite the differences in size and capacity among the participating organizations, the collaborative spirit during the breakout session was truly remarkable. The collective brainstorming led to new insights and practical strategies that everyone felt confident could be applied within their countries. Leaders left feeling energized and equipped with new strategies, ready to drive greater impact in their respective countries.
Looking forward
This GLW breakout session underscored the power of global collaboration in tackling shared challenges. Moving forward, leaders from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the USA remain deeply committed to advancing volunteer engagement, strengthening advocacy efforts, and increasing organizational capacity.
The transition of countries to different RPAs and the success of all the GLW breakout sessions have set a strong precedent for ongoing growth in each HAEi region. By harnessing the collective expertise and shared dedication of all MO leaders, we are on a solid path toward making a lasting impact in the communities we serve.