Category Archives: Personal Empowerment

The coronavirus pandemic is undoubtedly one of the most significant crises of our times. It has caused loss of life, unemployment and massive economic upheaval. However, we cant ignore the fact that the pandemic also has some upshots.

There was afall in daily global CO2 emissionsduring lockdown, for example, and perhaps as importantly,people are now more aware of the seriousnessof the climate crisis. There has been areductionin crime, road accidents, and even paper use. TheVenice canals cleared up,wildlife is returningto cities, companies arestepping uptheir social responsibility, education has been transformed andvolunteering has soared.

It can be difficult to see the silver linings during serious and catastrophic disasters. And yet, being able to find the opportunity in a crisis can have huge benefits for our mental well-being and personal lives.

First of all, its important to note that taking something positive from a difficult situation doesnt mean burying our heads in the sand or ignoring the dire reality of a situation.

Unliketoxic positivity, seeing opportunity during times of crisis does not mean suppressing unpleasant emotions. You can and should acknowledge and process all your feelings when a disaster or challenge happens. Seeing the opportunity means then reframing what the incident means in the story of our lives and what we might be able to do with it.

Youve probably heard that frustrating-but-true maxim that the only constant inlife is change. Crises are unavoidable. Whether its a relationship breakdown or getting fired, we will all face some kind of hardship in our lives. But adapting how we view and approach these struggles might actually allow us to turn them into something meaningful.

Crises come into our lives, no matter how we may try to avoid them, psychotherapist Mel Schwartz, LCSW, writes inPsychology Today. They are troubling, unwanted experiences or events that take us way out of our comfort zone. Typically, crises result in some type of loss. The very nature of a crisis is antithetical to our core values of certainty and predictability as they vanish in an instant.

Change and growth rarely happen when were comfortable. Schwartz argues that being nudged out of our comfort zone is key to seeing opportunity in crisis.

Transforming our career or love life, for instance, usually takes a great deal of dedication and intention. Crisis, on the other hand, removes the self-motivating requirement as it places us squarely outside of our familiar zone[this] is where the opportunity lies, he says.

Growth and fundamental levels of change only tend to occur when we are out of our comfort zone. So we might look at the crisis as a blessing in disguise, albeit an unwanted one.

Yoram (Jerry) Wind, emeritus professor of marketing at Wharton, and entrepreneur Nitin Rakesh, who co-authored a book on transformations during crises, agree. Theywrite: Instead of viewing the present situation as a short-term necessary evil that we should try to leave behind as soon as possible and return to a comfortable pre-crisis past, we should ask how to use the current situation to speed up long overdue changes.

Have you been meaning to leave your unfulfilling job but havent been able to summon the courage? Maybe youve always wanted to write a book, travel the world, or run a marathon, but got too comfortable with your daily routine and put it off. Being forced to shake things up might offer just the chance.

Another critical aspect of turning crisis into possibility is training yourself to think long-term. Your current crisis is not ideal, but it is just one moment in time.

To achieve self-empowerment requires looking beyond that snapshot and envisioning what door of potential has just flung open,writesSchwartz. Learning to look at the larger themes and patterns that set up these challenges will help develop a vantage point from which you may break through the struggle. In other words, what are the recurring stories of your life? What is your participation in this storyline?

Maria Langan-Riekhof, Arex B. Avanni, and Adrienne Janetti produced a report aboutturning challenges into opportunities for Brookings. They write, To turn an existing crisis into an opportunity often requires reframing the problem or looking at the issues through a different lens. If possible, allow yourself that perspective try and see the bigger picture.

Talkspace therapistElizabeth Hinkle, LMFT, provides these tips on applying this mindset in your own life. She offers the following five suggestions:

At the heart of turning crisis into opportunity is mental reframing. You dont have to ignore the reality of the situation, but you can change how you view it. Use the experience of being out of your comfort zone to seize opportunities. Remind yourself to see the bigger picture and patterns in your life, and prioritise your support systems.

If youre struggling to turn a crisis into an opportunity, consider speaking with a licensed Talkspace therapist a convenient and inexpensive way to make progress on your goals.

Originally published on Talkspace.

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6 Ways to Turn a Crisis Into an Opportunity by Clare Wiley - Thrive Global

Become a fitness trainer can be an excellent career choice if you like training and supporting others to accomplish their goals. As a fitness trainer, you might have probably already given unofficial fitness training sessions over the years. Still, there are more measures to take as a certified fitness trainer, get a job, or start your independent business. Discover how to become a fitness trainer to determine if it is the best profession for you.

With a growing concern about having healthier lifestyles that give more crucial information about obesity and other chronic disease epidemics, many people are being inclined towards health and fitness professions. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, between 2018 and 2028, employment in the field is assumed to grow by 13%.

Some people might consider fitness training looks like a challenging profession, where you help people in a field you love, it is adaptable, and you have many options for where you can work. There are some outstanding things about fitness training; here are some listed below.

Fitness trainers require an abundance of abilitiesjust some of the qualities that will encourage you to work like a professional.

To be an efficient fitness trainer, you should appreciate working with different sorts of people, a good listener, and be self-motivated.

You do not need to appear like a bodybuilder as a fitness trainer, but you should maintain a wholesome lifestyle to become a great role model for your clients.

All of those are important, but it is also essential to know what it is like to instruct clients day in and day out. You can discover more about it when you get a professional certificate, but the experience is always the greatest teacher. Training may look like a soothing wind, but it is more challenging than you may understand.

You will serve those clients,

Each person is unique, and you need to discover how hard you can motivate that client, what that client requires, and what they need. You also have to be very adaptable and be unhesitant to change the tactics if a workout is not going accordingly.

The following are the 8 eight steps you can take which will guide you to become a good certified personal trainer.

Once you have selected to become a fitness trainer is the best decision for you, the first step you take will be searching for the best certification program. Consider a certification from the renowned organization which provides the standard in health and fitness training. After determining the best certification program for you, it is time to collect your study materials. There are many trainer studies programs are created to cover all learning styles by giving content through easy text, graphics, charts, videos, practice tests, online activities, and on-demand study to reinforce the material. This learning practice is self-paced, usually take 80-100 hours over 3-4 months.

If you have completed your search for fitness training, your next step will be to get certified. It is very crucial to decide from where to get your certification done.

Certifying organizations have their different procedures of certification and behaviors accredited by an independent third party, such as the NCCA. If there a particular organization you like to work for, get to know what certifications they ask or recognize.

Analyze these points before choosing certifying organizations at the websites:

Prerequisites for the exam. At a minimum, most demand a high school diploma, a CPR certification, and that you are at least 18 years of age.

These are some of the well-reputed certification organizations and their accreditations:

One of the great things about fitness training is that there are a variety of places you can work, not just at a health club.3 You may be an employee of a business or work as an independent contractor for them. You may also train clients as your own business. If youre just starting out, however, you might want to work for a larger club to get experience while not having to worry about running your own business. Some ideas for employment opportunities include:

By the passing time and with practice, you will develop an interest in which kinds of clients you most relish training. Then you can invest in your further education and get your specialization done. With a specialty, you will have more to give your clients, and you can charge quite more for your specialized services.

Specialty options are:

Many certifying organizations give many specialty certifications, and you may receive a discount if you already possess a basic certification.

Continuing education is not only essential for obtaining your certification, but it also keeps you updated on the advancement in fitness, health, and weight management.

Your certifying organization will offer workshops, courses, and other means to get some additional credits, but there are more different methods to stay informed:

Once you get certification and get some work experience, eventually, you may start your own business as alimited liability company (LLC), sole proprietor, or corporation. Rather than an employee, if you are a self-governing contractor for a gym, you need to learn the benefits and downsides of these kinds of businesses as well.

Learn How to Run a Business:

Many people go into personal training because they like to assist people. Still, you want to know the aspects of business registration or affiliation, zoning, licensing, accounting, budgeting, filing taxes, tracking your expenses, and more. It is important to take a short business course from a local community college if these things are not familiar to you.

Financial Investment:

In the starting, you will need to spend cash to get your business to grow, which depend on your business type; you may require:

Sell Your Services:

If you do not know marketing tactics, you may require to take courses to acquire the best ways to sell your services to customers.

Get Experience from Outside:

When you work for yourself, you do not get a chance to have other trainers to guide clients. For that purpose, it is usually advised to begin at a gym or some other department before starting your own, to gain some experience.

How Can New Personal Trainers Make Additional Cash?

Think of executing a membership model rather than a pay-as-you-go policy. You can allow various memberships for different periods of time and set up client payment via auto-debit for an accepted term. For clients who cannot manage one-on-one training, consider giving a group boot camp. On the other side, some people like the comfort of training at home, so you can also offer in-home training sessions for an additional fee.

What Kinds of Business Insurance Do New Personal Trainers Require?

Being a certified personal trainer, you require commercial general liability insurance, which includes third-party property damage, bodily injury, and reputational harm. Trainers who run gyms or own many fitness gears may also require commercial property insurance. Go for the best business insurance company that operates with small businesses and has specific packages for fitness instructors and personal trainers.

Marketing without any doubt is one of the most important things you will need to do to draw more clients. The following are a some of the things you may require to get your name out there:

Being prosperous at this job demands lots of hard work, skill, capability, and experience. To get a certification is no guarantee that you will either capture clients or, most importantly, can be able to keep those clients.

How you train your clients is essential, but how you keep them is even more critical. Thats why you need:

How Do You Assure That a Fitness Program Is Useful for Clients?

There is no specific best workout plan, but many excellent options depend on your clients beginning point and fitness objects. Do your study, agree on a project with your client, and do your best to get them to attach with it. Training sessions may be challenging, especially at the start; try to concentrate your client on results. At the same time, be adaptable with clients.

For your motivation, we have compiled a list of some advice from top fitness trainers that are excelling in their fields.

Provide a Safe and Comfortable Environment:

Create a safe space for clients, fostering a no judgment no competition, no comparison place so that change can happen organically.

Lead Your Clints By Example:

Practice what you preach, maintain your own fitness. Anyone can be a trainer but if all of the focus is on the clients it can be easy to overlook your own workout needs as well.

Empower Your Clints:

The best trainers are coaches with the ability to empower their clients; consistency and connection lead to empowerment.

Show Your Concern:

Ask how the client is feeling day to day; truly listen to him or her and adjust the program as needed.

Help Your Clients to Maintain a Healthy Life:

Top trainers are comfortable exposing themselves as real human beings with flaws; help the client create a healthy life not just in the gym but when they step out into the world so their hard work and newly-developed confidence travel with them.

Educate Your Clients:

A truly great experience is when the client becomes knowledgeable and confident, allowing him or her to take ownership of the workout process.

Invest Your Time in Continuing Education:

Take continuing education seriously. Invest the time to develop programs with long-term goals in mind. Listen to clients and adjust the programs to meet each individuals specific needs. Finally, create a long-term career path by working towards becoming a master trainer; thats one way to help yourself stand out from your peers.

Final Thoughts:

Due to the increase in inactive lifestyles and obesity, personal trainers may have many job possibilities. The world always wants new, passionate trainers to get the word out about wellness and fitness. Take out the time to discover what is required to become a trainer before deciding on your career. One of the essential characteristics for a fitness professional is keeping a positive attitude and delivering excellent customer service no matter the circumstances, yet this is something that has to be acquired from experience while serving in the job. There are no alternatives on the way to success in fitness. However, work hard, learn from others, and consistently apply best practices defined by successful personal trainers can reduce the chances of failure.

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How To Become A Fitness Trainer? 8 Steps That Follow - Vizaca.com

If youve been undergoing a series of miscommunications lately, that can only mean one thing: Mercury retrograde is upon us. To put astro-terminology in simple terms, Mercury moves backward from its orbit three to four times a year, resulting in a series of unfortunate occurrences. Known to be the planet that represents communication, travel and technology, Mercury allows us to convey our thoughts by filtering what we say, as well as how we absorb information from others on a regular day. With that in mind, during these unpredictable times, you may want to remain vigilant when it comes to conveying your feelings to the people you care about, or even when sending out simple texts or emails.

In 2021, this cosmic event will only take place three times, with the first Mercury retrograde starting on January 30. Below, astrologer Julia Modorsky of the Sanctuary app breaks down all the different dates you need to look out for this year, as well as what to expect based on your zodiac sign.

Aquarius offers progress that will aid the future, and tends to bring on new discoveries and sudden realizations. During Mercury retrograde in Aquarius, you will retrace your steps to come to a better understanding of these new insights. Due to the Aquarian influence, you may want to back up your tech devices or save some files as Mercury slows down consciousness here on Earth.

Find where 2629 to 1101 Aquarius is in your natal chart. This is where Mercury will appear to move backward for you, where you will be introspective for three weeks.

Introspective about friendship, community and hopes, dreams, visions of the future. Some will experience this reflection in the area of career, goals and public presence.

Introspective about career, how youre recognized publicly in the world and your goals in life. Some will experience this reflection with where they feel free in life or with their philosophies and beliefs.

Introspective about exploration (new perspectives, worlds and philosophies). Some will experience this reflection on the deeper meanings in life, intimacy and vulnerability with others, and personal empowerment.

Introspective about your transformation in your life, where you feel powerful, and diving deeper into a topic or practice. Some will experience this reflection on relationships, connections and balance.

Introspective about your partnerships, support systems and how you feel centered. Some will experience this reflection on health, personal healing, daily routine, or services they can provide that can help others in some way.

Introspective about your day-to-day, healing, your job (not career) or even your coworkers. Some will experience this reflection on creativity, self-expression and how they shine.

Introspective about your creative expression, your playfulness or romantic life, your courage and exuberance, or what really brings you to life. Some will experience this reflection on their area of home (what feels like home), family, comforts or emotional nature the core of the being.

Introspective about home, family, foundations as well as your inner world, intuition and heart. Some will experience this reflection on their ideas, voice (speaking, writing) or anything theyve been learning.

Introspective about the voice, speaking, writing, sharing your ideas, how you communicate, or the messages youve been receiving. Some will experience this reflection on where you find grounding and security in life, what your values are (including finances), your patience and your bodys natural rhythm.

Introspective about what you find valuable in life personal, spiritual, financial values, self-worth, self-care or grounding. Some will experience this reflection on who you are, your sense of self, your persona and presence or independence.

Introspective about your independent nature, connecting more deeply with who you are, and what comes naturally to you the energy you embody. Some will experience this reflection on their spirituality, psyche, psychic knowing, sleep cycle, meditation, compassionate or soulful nature, or feeling of oneness in the greater whole.

Introspective about your dreams (can literally be your dreams at night), your spiritual connection, higher self, deep inner knowing, releasing potential subconscious blockages you may feel or become aware of. Some will experience this reflection on their dreams of the future, ideals, brilliant new insights, or friendships and community.

With Mercury retrograding in Gemini, now is the time to slow down with your words, and breathe deeply and consciously. In addition, consider being more mindful and thoughtful in communication, processing and integrating what youve been learning. This will also be a great time to revisit past writings and go deeper with them, or to further your studies in an area. Feel free to reconnect with someone youve had on your mind before Mercury began to retrograde, as long as it was a healthy parting or if you just lost touch with an old friend youve been missing.

Find where 2443 to 1607 Gemini is in your natal chart to see how this can particularly influence your life.

When Mercury retrogrades in Libra, balance, weighing your options, relationships, what you love and find beautiful in life, and your sense of justice come into play. This will also be a time to deepen your connection with your partner. However, be mindful if you will reconnect with an ex. Be discerning with why things didnt work out in the past and ask yourself, Was it situational or personality? This can actually be a wonderful time for closure if needed. Additionally, this will be a great period to slow down and deeply reflect on and enjoy what you love. Keep in mind where you find support, cooperation, beauty and balance in your life.

Find where 2528 to 1007 Libra is in your natal chart.

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Your Guide to Surviving Mercury Retrograde in 2021, Based on Your Zodiac Sign - HYPEBAE

January 15, 2021 -Chatham County and the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire are committing to supporting area youth in peacebuilding. To kick off the Mediation Centers Ambassadors of Peace initiative, the Chatham County Youth Commission will be hosting Giving Voice: Youth Empowerment Dialogue on Saturday, Jan. 16. All Chatham County high school students interested in participating in this discussion are invited to attend via Zoom.

The Giving Voice: Youth Empowerment Dialogue will provide breakout sessions for small groups to share their personal perspective on specific topics. Each group discussion will be facilitated by a student from the Chatham County Youth Commission. The event will be held via Zoom. The conversation will last from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. High school students may register on the Mediation Centers website,MediationSavannah.com/GivingVoice.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson mentors the Chatham County Youth Commission. He noted, Our youth want to be part of the solution and to develop the skills for making a difference. It is our responsibility as a community to make resources and opportunities available to them. The Youth Commission chose Martin Luther King, Jr weekend as an appropriate time to empower their peers to speak up and share their voice. As people across the country participate in the MLK Jr National Day of Service, this event will contribute by engaging youth in improving their community.

Throughout 2020, the Mediation Center has offered similar community conversations and structured dialogues for the public. In 2021, they are kicking off the Ambassadors of Peace initiative focusing on engaging and empowering area youth. They will be partnering with the Chatham County Youth Commission throughout the year to train and support the youth in effective communication and leadership skills while also creating safe spaces for youth to listen and learn from each other. Mediation Center Executive Director Jill Cheeks explained, Communication is key to peacebuilding and positive relationships. Supporting these youth as ambassadors will develop lifelong skills that will make our community stronger.

The Mediation Center partners with many local institutions in their efforts to strengthen communication and peace. Among their partnerships are teaching peer mediation with the Savannah Chatham County Public School System and facilitating conflict resolution in coordination with the judicial system and Savannah Police Department. The Ambassadors of Peace initiative will further their work supporting youth in peer-to-peer engagement.

For more information about the Mediation Center, contact Jill Cheeks, Executive Director, at (912) 354-6686.

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Jan. 15 - Chatham County Youth Commission engages in peacebuilding youth empowerment dialogue, invites local students to share their voice - Savannah...

Mayo Clinic announced Tuesday it will be awarding a total of $70,000 in grants to six Olmsted County nonprofits all of which are committed to addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Funding for the grants will come from Mayos newly-established EverybodyIN Fund for Change. Last summer, Mayo staff contributed nearly $89,000 to the fund to support efforts to advance racial equity.

A match from Mayo, according the announcement, brought the funds total to $200,000. That money is now being shared with 36 total organizations in communities across Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Related: Looking to 'close the door on racism,' Mayo commits $100 million to inclusion efforts

Among the organizations here in Olmsted County to receive funding is Sports Mentorship Academy, a program aimed at helping students with untapped-potential take responsibility for their future through lessons learned through sports, in the classroom, and in service to others.

The grant money from Mayo, the announcement says, will go toward a community liaison who will be a bridge between the Black community and law enforcement to build trust and decrease tension

Other programs selected to receive funding include:

Hope Fuse for its Spark and North Star programs. These programs promote youth achievement and a stronger sense of belonging and self-empowerment through one-on- one mentorship. The program serves children, 9-15, of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through Research to establish a Rochester-area COVID-19 resource hotline for Spanish speakers.

Rochester Area Nonprofit Consortium to support a cross-sectional, racial equity task force to assist local nonprofit organizations in advancing their equity goals.

United Way of Olmsted County for Culturally Powered Communities, an initiative to strengthen culturally-specific community organizations to have greater capacity to serve diverse community members.

Project Legacy for Project Empower, a program to provide mentorship, personal empowerment, and academic and professional development to 17-28 year-olds of color who are experiencing challenges.

Cover photo: file / William Forsman

Originally posted here:

Mayo awards $70K in grants to Olmsted County nonprofits working to address racial equity - Med City Beat

ST. LOUIS Since the start of the pandemic, local domestic violence shelters and safe houses have seen a sharp increase in the number of women reaching out for help.

The Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation is halfway through its eighth annual Love Package campaign to help survivors in their time of need. A Love Package is a reusable, durable tote bag consisting of full-size personal, feminine hygiene, and healthcare products essential to a survivors needs.

Their goal during this month-long campaign is to collect enough full-sized hygiene products to provide 2,500 Love Packages to local domestic violence shelters and safe houses for Valentines Day.

In order to help them reach their goal, Diamond Diva Empowerment has partnered with Alderman Shameem Clark-Hubbard who is spearheading a citywide donation competition. City departments will compete to see who can collect the most donations. Right now, DDEF has collected enough products to create 800 packages. Now they are looking for the help of the community.

You can drop off full-size hygiene products at the Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation offices located at 4030 Chouteau Avenue on the 6th floor in their hallway dropbox. If you would like to donate contactless, you can donate online here or call to schedule a drive-by pick up on Saturdays.

All donations are tax-deductible. Feb. 5 is the last day to donate items. For more information, you can visit the Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation website or contact them on Facebook.

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Pandemic increases need for help in domestic violence shelters and safe houses - KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis

New Delhi: The world has seen the re-emergence of debates on gender disparity. MIT World Peace University recently organized the 2nd National Womens Parliament to address these socially relevant topics and contribute towards women empowerment.Encourages the social, political, technological and economic upliftment of women in various sections of society.

Outcomes of NWP 2021

Women empowerment-driven resolutions passed for each session of NWP 2021 Celebrating women leadership and recognizing extraordinary contributions in various fields Inspiring students to break the societal stereotypes on gender parity Thought-provoking narratives and perspectives on women-empowerment were brought forth by eminent personalities both men and womenHyderabad, 15th January 2021: The 2nd edition of the National Womens Parliament (NWP) 2021 was successfully concluded at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) in Pune. Organized in partnership with the MIT School of Government, the four-day virtual conference was held from 11th to 14th January 2021 and the theme of the conference was: Women in Leadership 4.0: Power, Progress & Change.

The NWP 2021 was graced by business leaders, NGOs owners, political leaders, sports personalities and celebrities from all over the country. The Conference witnessed more than 71 speakers with 11 sessions and was attended by more than 3500 participants.

This years theme was articulated with the aim of promoting womens social, political and economic equality in all strata of society and facilitating dialogue between women of diverse backgrounds. Women from politics, social sector, education, sports, corporate, media, arts and culture, judiciary and young aspiring girl students came together to stage their experiences and share their knowledge in the areas of womens social, economic and political empowerment.

The inaugural session was addressed by the Chief Guest, Sushree Debasree Chaudhuri Honble Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Govt. of India, Dr. Mallika Sarabhai Padma Bhushan, Legendary Dancer, Founder, Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta Honble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, Dr. Diya Kumari Honble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (BJP, Rajsamand, Rajasthan), The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC The Secretary-General of The Commonwealth, Smt. Anandiben Patel Honble Governor of Uttar Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh, Former Chief Minister, Gujarat and Sushree Uma Bharati National Vice President BJP, Former Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Govt. of India, Former Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh.

Smt Anandiben Patel, Honble Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Former CM, Gujarat, said, It is an honour to be a part of the 2nd National Womens Parliament 2021. Women are an institution in themselves. Woman empowerment is an important step towards the progress of our nation. They are an important part of our workforce, who contribute to our nations prosperity. If more women are educated, we will be able to eradicate many ill social practices in our society such as, the dowry system. I am pleased to know that MIT World Peace Universitys initiative of the National Womens Parliament platform recognizes the extraordinary contributions of women in the different sectors of our society.

The four-day virtual conference was path-breaking and witnessed illustrious dignitaries like Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta Honble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, Smt. Pankaja Munde-Palwe National Secretary, BJP, Former Minister for Rural Development, Women & Child Development, Govt. of Maharashtra & Former Guardian Minister for Beed, Shri. Kailash Kher Padma Shri, Playback Singer, Music Composer, Ms. Usha Uthup Playback Singer, Shri. Salim Merchant Music Director along with other dignitaries. The NWP was inspired by Revered Prof. Dr. Vishwanath Karad and with patronage of Noted Gandhian Smt. Ela Bhatt and has been conceptualised and convened under the dynamic leadership of eminent educationist, Shri Rahul V Karad.

Organised under Chief of Organising Committee Smt. Ritu Chhabria, Co-Founder & Managing Trustee, Mukul Madhav Foundation & Former Chairperson FICCI FLO, Pune, & Director, Finolex Industries Limited, along with Dr. Shailashree Haridas, Dean Commerce, Economics & Law, MIT-WPU, the conference objective was to provide a forum for women of diverse backgrounds to illustrate and debate gender-specific issues.

Shri. Rahul V. Karad Managing Trustee & Executive President, MAEERs MIT and Executive President, MIT World Peace University, said, Though we are the largest democracy, women in India find themselves under-represented and far-removed from decision-making levels even after seven decades of being a democracy. As a university that believes in universal value-based education, we consider it our prime responsibility to lead this change towards women empowerment. Through the National Womens Parliament, we are providing an apolitical platform for women from diverse backgrounds to highlight their gender specific issues. Women from politics, social sector, education, sports, corporate, media, arts and culture, judiciary and young aspiring girl students come together to stage their experiences, share knowledge and research in the area of womens social, economic and political empowerment. This is Indias platform which will help steer our societys mind-set towards women empowerment and help young girl students realize their potential.

Quotes of other prominent personalities:

Dr Mallika Sarabhai, Padma Bhushan, Legendary Dancer, Founder Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, said, Through the National Womens Parliament hosted by MIT-WPU, we are reaching out to you to show you the different possibilities that are available. Let not the boundaries of society stop you from flowering to the fullest. We are our only competition. Women in leadership positions, who can make independent decisions, are the need of the hour. Are we willing to be unfrightened, secure beings who are willing to shine their light?

Smt Pankaja Munde, National Secretary, BJP, Former Minister, Govt of Maharashtra, said, In todays 2nd National Womens Parliament hosted by MIT World Peace University, I would like to be the voice of all those women who have lost their voices in our patriarchal society. Today, our parliament has only 12% of women representation and only 8% of our national leaders are women. This is a big fight that powerful women leaders need to take forward and win. A lot of women will need to enter politics in our country so that they can lead women-centric causes. Since we are poorly represented, especially in politics, reservation becomes our right. I would like to congratulate the 2nd National Womens Parliament hosted by MIT World Peace University for leading this change towards women empowerment by creating this national platform that highlights womens needs and issues.

Shri Kailash Kher, Padma Shri, Indian Singer, Music Composer, said, The female power or the Nari Shakti epitomizes the qualities of heartfulness and love. Women today are a shining example of how to conduct business using both the faculties of the mind and the heart. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate MIT World Peace University for spreading the much-needed message of women empowerment in our society.

Sushree Uma Bharati, National Vice President BJP, Former Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Govt. of India, Former Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, said, I am honoured to be a part of the 2nd National Womens Parliament hosted by MIT World Peace University. There was a time when physically abusive behaviour towards women was considered the epitome of masculinity in many pockets of our society. Women from the weakest sections of our society, belonging to the SC-ST category, often not only face extreme poverty but have to go through the worst forms of humiliation due to an intolerant, discriminatory society. To add further, the educated sections of our society are often the torch bearers of classism and status quo. Even political leaders, who are women, face certain unfair biases in their representation, which is missing from their male counterparts. These extreme paradoxes within our society is exactly why this message and initiative to empower women is so important. Today, it is a proven fact that women can play a crucial role in leadership positions, balancing their personal and work lives successfully.

Ms Usha Uthup, Playback Singer, said, Why do people think that Bollywood is the only benchmark for singers and musicians in our country? In my early career, people thought that singing at night clubs was not a good thing. But I began my career singing English songs at a night club, wearing a traditional Indian saree and in complete Indian attire. I broke a certain glass ceiling and I did it because I believed in myself and sang like I would instead of copying other singers. So, today, at the 2nd National Womens Parliament hosted by MIT-WPU, Id like to leave women with the message that believe in yourself and make your limitations your strengths.

Mr Salim Merchant, Bollywood Music Director, said, Whenever I have worked with women, I have found them to be very systematic, hardworking, dedicated and passionate in whatever they do. In our society, a lady has to work harder to prove her mettle. It is time for men to move on and give women the space, leadership and power. Im so honoured to be part of the 2nd National Womens Parliament hosted by MIT World Peace University which leading this highly important movement on women empowerment.

Smt Rajashree Birla, Padma Bhushan, Chairperson, Aditya Birla Foundation & Aditya Birla Management Corporation Ltd., said, Let me begin by congratulating MIT World Peace University for hosting the 2nd National Womens Parliament. I look upon it as a celebration of woman power. I see it as a forum that recognizes the potential of women as great leaders, centre-staging them as parliamentarians. It is a great platform for societal consciousness on gender-related matters.

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Women Empowerment and Education imperative to eradicate many ill social practices in society- says Smt. Anandiben Patel - India Education Diary

Image: Alok Brahmbhatt

Due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, institutes worldwide moved their classes to the online mode. While the administrators of the courses that required fieldwork or laboratory experience agreed on the adverse effects of continuing working online, the B-School fraternity's views on online teaching have been primarily divided.

This divide in the opinions existed way before the pandemic, from when online MBAs were introduced. A fraction of people who feel that the online MBAs can do justice to an MBA's objectives are also the ones who claim that a shift to the online mode did not disrupt the learnings. However, the other faction feels that an MBA involves something beyond online teaching that only a physical engagement can provide.

Background of a typical MBA programmeThe conventional idea of pursuing an MBA is to get an opportunity to work in a particular industry sector or get access to higher roles in the corporate organizational hierarchy. The fulfillment of these aspirations is pillared on the trinity of Academics, Projects, and Placements.

Usually, the first year of an MBA involves exposure to various managerial disciplines that bring students from diverse backgrounds on the same pedestal. In the second year, the curriculum becomes flexible, allowing students to choose from a plethora of electives, which will enable them to develop a deeper understanding of one's interests or explore a variety of options. Beyond the courses, students engage with professors on research problems through independent projects. The diverse set of courses helps students build the basic set of competencies they will need to pursue in their future corporate roles. On the other hand, the project opportunities help the students present themselves as capable of applying what they have learned to solve real-world management problems.

Beyond the seemingly objective professional goals of an MBA student, many subjective aspirations are critical to its design. A significant part of the academic activities and evaluation in B-schools are group-based. Students are grouped with their batchmates to form what are called study groups. This attempts to make problem-solving more real-life since the students will be working in teams in their corporate roles to solve business issues.

One exciting aspect of the group study is that the students belonging to diverse sets of educational and professional backgrounds spend a lot of time together beyond the classes. Naturally, the connections formed here help a great deal in professional life. But beyond that, merely brainstorming with the groups day in and day out, hearing each other's experiences, and understanding each other's perspectives on diverse domains ranging from football to national politics helps them become balanced individuals.

A lot of critical interpersonal interactions exist outside the curricular domain as well. Several student-led clubs exist on campuses. These clubs handle issues related to career progressions, emotional guidance, sports, and performing arts, amongst others. The associations formed with batchmates, seniors, and juniors in these clubs include an essential seat of culture at the campus. The other prominent one being student dorms.

In a residential program, students are housed in dormitories. The shared living spaces and the shared misery help students build attachments and form support groups. One of our respondents mentioned, "Since I was staying away from home for the first time, my neighbors at the dorm helped me with the very basics like the upkeep of my room and my belongings. Later on, we became the go-to people for each other's academic doubts, placement preparation, and even those last moment tips for quizzes."

In all, the MBA helps students become empowered psychologically in multiple ways. The knowledge from the courses helps develop personal empowerment by increasing the individuals competence. Through interactions and building relationships, students develop interactional empowerment. We wanted to understand how both individual and interactional empowerment (the two components of psychological empowerment) was affected by COVID-19. We did that by talking to the two-year MBA students about their physical and virtual MBA experiences.

The virtual mode, and its ramificationsIn the last few months, the curricular and non-curricular components, crucial to an MBA program, have been replicated virtually. Prima-facie, an alternate online system, has been created, which provides efficiencies through economies of scale. Although these efficiencies have helped the newly created system serve the goals of an MBA program, their effectiveness is still being considered.

As developers and academicians work towards innovating the online classroom experience, there's hope that the learning components of the MBA will better serve their goals. While the classes happened seamlessly, there were the usual complaints about easy distractions in the online mode. Nevertheless, some people felt that online platforms enabled them to participate more in classroom discussions; others felt more conscious in the virtual environment. It appears that intrapersonal empowerment, which deals with perceived competence, self-efficacy, and control, was more or less achieved as classes and projects were adapted and completed.

However, the online system seemed to adversely affect interactional empowerment, which deals with interpersonal relationships and community building. The second-year students exclaimed that "the virtual second year does not even give the taste of their first year." On probing further, we find that they were complaining about the missing synergy from informal interaction that is extremely difficult to replicate in the virtual model. We explain this is in detail below.

The interactional component has suffered due to reduced human interaction. Though students meet virtually on various video platforms such as Zoom and Google meets, they are only in steady touch with whom they are already good friends or those with whom they had previously done regular academic work. While friends tag along with whom one can forge strong bonds, acquaintances have been lost on the way. Reducing interaction opportunities is particularly a deterrent to an MBA college experience where networking is crucial for future career progression.

One of the interviewees mentioned that "virtual interactions miss the serendipity in meeting people on campus." When students are on campus, they can run into acquaintances at places of dinner or casual hangouts at innumerable instances. Serendipity significantly helps in building connections beyond friends. The offline campus setup conspires to help students expand their network effortlessly, as long as they are open to it.

Another peculiar aspect of the interactional component in virtual MBA is the agenda-driven nature of video platforms' discussions. Interviewees shared, "In zoom calls, we have to fix up a time and fix the topic of discussion, while on campus I can just walk into a friend's room," "On campus, we used to study together and at the same time chill, order food, go for walks, etc.." There is little scope for tangential discussions on zoom calls, which can be a source of unplanned learning. The lack of haste and physical proximity creates a conducive environment fostering tangential talks which the participants highly appreciated. These discussions are vital contributors to peer learning, often compromised in virtual setups. Peer learning is often not transactional wherein a planned exchange of knowledge occurs; however, in these relaxed unplanned discussions is where the core of peer learning and relationship building lies.

The final aspect of psychological empowerment is the behavioral component, pertinent to a collectivistic society like ours. There is a natural comfort in association with a tribe, here the MBA community. One of the respondents mentioned "staying away from home, staying with a group of people, having close friends and club activities" as their expectations from the two years of MBA life. While being at a residential campus helps students positively associate with a social identity, for many, the very idea of association with a group is satisfying. However, this aspect is often not stressed enough by MBA pundits. One of the respondents talked about college fests. They mentioned, "The college rivalry was at another level and was so much fun. Events like these create memories which stay for a lifetime." Another respondent mentioned intra-institute events, which helped in building deep relationships. These memorable events act as rituals that bring together a tribe. This tribe culture creates a feeling of belongingness and thrives through community events that cannot be easily replicated in the virtual setting.

ConclusionBoth online and offline MBA programs have existed for a long time now, each with its own merits. While online MBAs provide flexibility and opportunity to those who otherwise might not have the chance to pursue the degree, offline MBA offers multiple avenues for informal meetings, relaxed tangential discussions, serendipitous network expansion, and community belongingness, which are challenging to replicate in an online setup. After all, this is an essential component of holistic empowerment and seems to be falling through the cracks in a virtual setting.

As Aristotle said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts''. The physical experience provides a wholesome experience which students yearn for and benefit from. Given that, we don't expect a physical MBA to die an easy death soon.

Mayank Chauhan and Shubham Singhal are 2nd year MBA students at IIM Ahmedabad. Akshaya Vijayalakshmi is an Assistant Professor in Marketing at IIM Ahmedabad.

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With Growing Digital Classes, What Is The Future Of Traditional MBAs? - Forbes India

MARICHELLE TORRES-ACKERMANCo-founder, Triumphus Fuel Experts Inc.Chief Executive Officer, Triumphus Estates Inc.

Entrepreneur wears several hats, including one as life coachMarichelle Mache Torres-Ackerman is many things: a businesswoman, international author, life coach and philanthropist. While some would find juggling such diverse roles a formidable challenge, for Torres-Ackerman, it was the natural path.

Born into a family of entrepreneurs, educators, real estate specialists and public servants, she is the second of five children and the eldest among three girls. Her late father, Jaime Torres, was a businessman and co-owner of the educational institution St. James College System, along with wife Myrna Montealegre Torres. According to Torres-Ackerman, her mother was a passionate educator and a politician, having been three-term mayor of Tigbauan municipality, Iloilo province. Their school, which had branches in Quezon City, Paraaque City, and Calamba City in Laguna province, would have turned 50 this year had the family not liquidated it shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Eternal educatorTorres-Ackermans entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured at an early age. My father would always ask me to join him in business meetings, while my mother would also invite me to her philanthropic and political events, she recalls.

Besides owning a school, Torres bought unused land primarily for investment purposes. It helped him establish Torres Lands Inc., which his daughter serves as a board director. He bought hundreds of hectares of properties, which were so cheap decades ago, and now, they are considered prime property and are in demand in the real estate industry, his daughter relates. From them [my parents], I learned effective decision-making, spirituality, love for service and giving back to society.

To continue keeping the educator in her alive, Torres-Ackerman is set to offer online short-term degree professional courses middle of this year. [Courses] will be taught by current experts of various fields, she says. I believe that students are more inspired to learn from people who are visionaries in action. Especially now that we are in turbulent times, new insights are more acceptable since we are geared to adjust to the new normal.

Torres-Ackerman also co-founded Triumphus Fuel Experts Inc., a petroleum wholesale and retail business, with her second husband David.

Petroleum, she observes, is in high demand especially under the current administrations flagship Build, Build, Build program. Our retail operations are currently on hold due to the pandemic, she reports. But we are aiming to reestablish branches this year after careful recalculation of new market opportunities.

With her five daughters during an outreach program for the Aeta community in Pampanga province last Christmas.

Triumphus Estates Inc., the Ackermans real estate arm, is presently focused on expansion; particularly, in farm operations in which her four older daughters are involved. The pandemic [showed] the need to enhance agricultural businesses and the Department of Agriculture is offering more incentives to landowners and farmers, she remarks. This can help greatly with our expansion. Aside from farm operations, the company is dealing with housing development and will focus more on remote communities.

During the lockdown period, the executive kept herself busy with endeavors involving income generation. In April last year, she launched an online talk show called Walk the Talk with Mache!

I interview visionaries from different sectors, who continue to excel during the pandemic, she explains. They are examples of true entrepreneurs and leaders, who know how to unlearn and relearn during crisis. The show featured the likes of Silvana Ancelloti-Diaz and her husband, the artist Ramon Diaz, owners of Manilas oldest art gallery, Galleria Duemila, and Harley Dave Beltran of Handcrafted by Harls, a leather crafts manufacturer, which provides employment to persons with disabilities.

One of Torres-Ackermans books on self-leadership

Torres-Ackerman has also written books on self-empowerment and self-leadership. Her latest, The Change series (nos. 8 and 10 co-authored with international authors and power speakers Jim Britt and Jim Lutes), was released in the US. I inspire [and teach] people to unload self-limiting beliefs, she declares. My teachings mostly come from my own experiences, especially after going through several rough journeys in my personal life.

In 2002, Torres-Ackerman, a mother of four daughters, was struggling with a failed marriage, I got through it thanks to my supportive family, she admits. On a trip to the US to heal myself, I consulted [noted] hypnotherapist Cal Banyan.

Right trackThe encounter transformed her, and inspired her to empower women facing similar challenges. She then pursued courses in life coaching, specializing in medical hypnotherapy in California. She is now a certified life coach and a US-certified clinical hypnotherapist, focusing on adults and children with traumatic childhood issues, emotional instability, lack of self-confidence among other similar issues. Currently, she delivers mental health talks for groups and couples and offers one-on-one therapy.

Been there, done that, she declares. These experiences have molded me to become a better wife, mother, civic leader and entrepreneur.

As charter president of the Rotary Club Makati Business District, she facilitates outreach programs revolving around her climate change awareness advocacy: Our club was chartered the night of Yolanda in 2013. Since then, we have concentrated on several environmental projects such as Light It Forward with The Liter of Light, wherein we teach remote communities how to make solar lamps instead of those using kerosene, which are bad for the environment.

We launched it at the [University of the Philippines] Diliman stadium during the pandemic when we lit up the Rotary Wheel logo with the first 1,000 solar lamps as pledges to be distributed to remote communities nationwide, she narrates.

With Torres-Ackermans days brimming with activity, one wonders how she manages to give each undertaking the appropriate attention and energy. Knowing my top priorities helps me handle my tasks well, she says. As long as they are set well and my heart knows its in the best [interests] of my family and others, I am sure Im on the right track.

I wear many hats because I believe that a person can maximize ones potential. I believe in having a balanced life, so I like taking part in organizations that can help me fulfill my purpose in life and business opportunities.

This mother of five is hard not to admire. My four daughters witnessed what I went through as a single mom, and they have been very supportive, she reveals. Our experiences as a family while I was a single mom made them more mature and inspired as well.

I can see now how they handle their personal relationships by being self-empowered as well. I feel so honored when they acknowledge my strengths and accomplishments, and are proud of me.

Her eldest daughter, Mica holds a fashion and business marketing degree from Coventry University Singapore; second daughter, Bea, has a hotel and resort business management degree from Les Roches University in Spain; third daughter, Cielo, is currently completing a culinary course at Enderun Colleges and soon, at the Culinary Institute of America in New York; and fourth daughter, Daniela, is pursuing marketing management at the University of Toronto in Canada. Emilia, her youngest and only child with husband David, is turning six years old this year.

Torres-Ackerman has learned that self-awareness is vital to achieving inner peace and strength, paving the way to discovering ones purpose in life. For this remarkable woman, enriching lives through her work and advocacies, she fervently hopes, will likewise help others become their better selves.

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Empowered and empowering The Manila Times - The Manila Times

The world has is making an effort to progress toward gender equality and womens empowerment through fair access to education and other major fields. Still, prejudice against women issues is happening in every part of the world.

Recent statistics show that only 24 percent of women are part of national parliaments globally. Just 13 percent of women are agricultural landholders, and over 19 percent of women from ages 15 to 49 have undergone the violence physically and sexually. If this is not sufficient reason to treat women as equals in developing nations, consider that women make up an excessive 70 percent of the worlds poor.

Interventions by the United Nations, World Bank, and USAID are promoting womens empowerment projects. However, there is a need for more to be done. The well-being and literacy levels of women and girls in developing countries need to improve further as it is a trailing behind men and boys due to a lack of finance.

In the light of some facts here are some reasons why women empowerment is necessary.

As problems of womens economic empowerment and gender difference increasing their pace on the international stage, nations across the world are taking incredible steps to overcome gender bias and support economic equality. To perform your role in the campaign, some of the actions we can be taken for achieving womens empowerment for sustained development are explained below:

1. Encourage Women as Leaders and Provide Them Decision-making Opportunities

Although numerous women are now influential contributors to the economy of some countries, still gender bias is a myth in the greater picture of the world. Women have actively begun taking part in the technology sector, food production, natural resource management, family wellness, entrepreneurial activity, as well as energy and climate modification.But,most women still do not have a way to get good job possibilities and resources to get a better-paid job. As the focus shifts towards comprehensive economic structures, providing women with leadership chances and making them a part of decision making can go an extended way in reaching womens empowerment.

2. Provide Sufficient Job Possibilities for Women

Despite being important contributors to social and financial growth, women do not have access to get similar job opportunities as men have. Equal rights programs can invest significantly in supporting adequate jobs and public policies, promoting growth and development.

3. Entrust WomenwithEntrepreneurial Activity

A powerful way of stopping gender difference is trusting women with their entrepreneurial work. The country can take action to encourage women in business works for greater job opportunities. Looking at global progress, many developing countries are using a percentage of annual profits in womens developments. By funding womens literacy and giving them entrepreneurial opportunities, the discriminatory earnings gap can be removed out from the socio-economic picture, supporting women to increase their participation in the supply chain.

4. Taking Action Against UnpaidLaborWork

One of the most important matters about gender difference is womens uncompensated labor. Many marginalized groups, including agricultural women and domestic workers, are usually deprived of economic freedom, and many times their labors go unrecognized by the organization. With empowerment strategies trying to increase the incomes of women, resources can be properly managed to eradicate the problem. Unpaid labor is an increasing matter amongst many developing countries, and this is primarily linked with rural and low-skilled workers. By restraining the driving factors and guarding women from violence and social injustices, women can be supported to explore and use their potential.

5. Mentoring Women Professionally and Personally

Making fancy rules cannot rule out uneven pay gaps and the lack of job possibilities for women. To reduce the dilemma from the grass-root levels, gender-sensitive economic strategies should be expanded. To supportwomen,achieve their entrepreneurial aims and support them as leaders, mentoring programs should use a more holistic way wherein both personal and professional perspectives are taken care of. Income-making facilities are not always successful in creating empowering personalities, and empowerment projects can start enough mentoring programs to cater to the increasing fiduciary demands.

6. Bring More Women into the Workforce

Small enterprises are extremely prevalent in the least developed countries, and self-employment is calculated as 70% of total employment.Therefore,reaching gender equality in the labor force includes addressing, among other problems, hypotheses about womens parts and the multiple obstacles for women to start businesses, as suggested in the W20 Communiqu.

Some work is traditionally gender-segregated, and such societal standards can be hard to defeat. But sometimes, small variations mean new gender-neutral jobs can be generated.

7. Encourage Disabled Women and AlltheMost Disenfranchised Among Us

It is essential for all women, to make sure they are constantly reviewing their own rights, says Rachel Ricketts who is the racial equity advocate, lawyer, and healer. An empowering question to ask, particularly when we find ourselves or others feeling defensive in discussions regarding oppression, is: Whose comfort is most being prioritized right now? If it isnt that of the most marginalizedwomen, its time to stop, reassess, and start again, she says. This is of critical importance because it can be all too easy to center ourselves and our own comfort during challenging conversations, intentionally or otherwise, but creating equality and liberation for allwomendemands that we operate from spaces that best prioritize and protect the most disenfranchised among us.

8. Support WomenbyInvesting in women-run businesses

Women who own businesses are invariably shortchanged. Study shows male entrepreneurs are twice as likely to increase $100,000 or more as their female equivalents. So, it will be great encouragement for women to support businesses that are controlled and/or run by women, behavioral scientist and personal development coach Dinorah Nieves, Ph.D., tellsmbg. Many female entrepreneurs lack adequate support in the form of funding or sweat equity, she says. Invest your time and/or money in competent, capable women who are making an impact.

9. Help Women Equal Access to Technology

Technology is working to increase gender differences. Internationally, the percentage of women reaching the internet is 12% less than the percentage of men. In the least developed countries, it is 31% less. And according to UNCTAD, The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 2018 least developed countries report, the gender gap in internet use in the least developed countries increased between 2013 and 2017.

It is necessary to reduce this digital gender gap, which intersects the progress divide. least developed countries are far behind in Information and Communication Technology support and internet access. According to the UNCTAD, The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report, only 17.5% of the population in LDCs accessed the internet in 2017, compared with 41.3% in developing countries and 81% in developed countries.

The W20 Japan is suggesting that G20 leaders perform to promote education and equal use of technology to assure no woman is left behind. This is particularly necessary and essential for the least developed countries.

Women empowerment have unlimited benefits for the society and country, some are listed below.

Final Verdict:

The women empowerment programs are spending generously on the well-being and empowerment of women, supporting women to grow from their traditional responsibilities and fight with gender stereotypes. There are many ways of reaching womens financial empowerment. To keep up with the changing international trends and achieve sustainable development aims, it is high time to break boundaries and explore alternative programs for achieving equal opportunities for women and supporting financially for a better and prosperous country.

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A Guideline About How to Empower Women and Why It Is Necessary - Vizaca.com