Dear fellow WBFN members,
Warm greetings!
September may not mark the start of a calendar year, but it often feels like a season of new beginnings. Many of our members have recently relocated with their families to new countries and are busy settling into unfamiliar surroundings, helping children adjust to new schools and navigating the opportunities and challenges that come with a new chapter as their spouses begin new roles.
Once you can look up from unpacking boxes and establishing routines, we welcome you to connect with your local WBFN chapter. Our local connectors organize events and activities that can make the transition easier, help you build friendships and foster a sense of belonging in your new community. If you are unsure of who to contact, please reach out to us at familynetwork@worldbank.org and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.
This month we celebrate learning, not only for our children as they begin a new school year, but also for ourselves. Whether or not you are able to pursue employment in the country you now call home, there are always opportunities to grow. Learning can take many forms from returning to school and pursuing professional certifications to developing new skills or exploring new interests. A pause in your career doesn’t mean a pause in your personal or professional development. It may be a perfect time to strengthen your professional qualifications, discover new passions or embark on a different path altogether. Our Professional Development Program will soon resume its thematic sessions and wherever you are, we invite you to join these conversations and become part of a vibrant community of members who are continually learning, adapting and re-inventing themselves.
There are many opportunities to get involved with WBFN through volunteering as well. WBFN thrives because of the dedication and generosity of volunteers who give their time to create programs, events and initiatives that strengthen our global community. Volunteering is also a great way to meet people, contribute to your local community, apply existing skills and develop new ones while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
As a global community, we are also mindful that the past few months have been difficult for some of our members. Extreme weather events including heatwaves, wildfires, floods and earthquakes have affected communities across different regions of the world, disrupting lives and livelihoods and bringing hardship to many families. Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted.
We encourage you to share your stories with us and, perhaps more importantly, to reach out to one another. A simple check-in, an offer of support, or a moment of connection can make a huge difference. It is through these acts of care and solidarity that our community becomes stronger and more resilient.
We look forward to another year of working together to build a supportive, welcoming and connected community. We would love to hear from you about the events, programs and activities you would like to see in the months ahead so please share your ideas and suggestions with us.
With warm regards
Milka and Taoufik