"This initiative provided a place for collaboration, cohesion and communication and it was interesting for me to learn from these young professionals not only of the issues affecting them but also of their cultures, traditions, motivations and goals. The smiles, laughter, disagreements and confused faces all contributed to the experiences we all shared and I have learnt three very important lessons:

• Listen twice as much as you speak: Oftentimes we are all saying the same thing-"Active listening "becomes useful in such cases.
• It's ok to be comfortable with discomfort: Unfamiliar weather, food and environments may not allow us to be in our comfort zone. It is however important to be able to adapt.
• Agreeing to disagree is easier said than done: When we hold true to our ideas it is often times hard to reach a consensus however we have to oftentimes come to a decision we are all comfortable with.

Jhannel Tomlinson

YPARD Country Representative- Jamaica

Credit : GLF 2015 (landscapes.org)

"The mentoring opportunity  has compelled me to have an intention for my life; more focus and a better zeal: I can't be everywhere all the time, but with self-discipline, working on my goals with better time management, and a clear focus will surely get me where I want to be".

Tamanda Chabvuta

National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM) 

Credit : GLF 2015 (landscapes.org) 

"As a consumer, citizen, traveller and lover of the outdoors, I am aware that our wellbeing fully depends on the careful management of natural resources in many different places around the world. Even if we cannot see these landscapes, we are inextricably linked to the values and resources they provide. It is my mission to bring this message across, to make people more aware of the environment we take for granted. If we learn to understand better how landscapes shape our lives, we might also become better in taking responsibility to shape these landscapes sustainability towards the future. ."

Katie Minderhoud

Knowledge management and learning advisor at Solidaridad Europe, Netherlands

Credit : GLF 2015 (landscapes.org)