Brendan Schultz, from Hawai’i, an MCW Global alumnus and part of the second cohort of MCW Global’s Abraham Magid Educational Scholarship Program (AME), in this piece, reflects on how MCW Global has shaped his leadership skills, deepened his connection to its mission, and influenced his personal growth.
As the Founder and Executive Director of United by Love, operating in Southeastern Europe, Brendan credits much of his global network and leadership development to his involvement with MCW Global, particularly through his participation in the Young Leaders Fellowship in 2021 and 2022.
MCW Global’s Fellowship: Going Beyond One Experience
Despite the challenges of a remote fellowship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brendan found the experience invaluable, noting that the time between sessions offered space for reflection and deeper learning.
“While having a remote fellowship posed challenges, one of the benefits was the time between sessions that allowed for reflection. The most poignant moment during my fellowship journey was a session on gender positionality in which fellows discussed the differences in gender dynamics across the various communities in which we lived. Hearing both men and women fellows from over thirty countries describe how gender affects them was an awakening moment that taught me the immense impact that one’s positionality has on one’s view of the world.”
He further elaborates on the mission and values of MCW Global, emphasizing that its motto, Local Change Through Global Exchange®, deeply resonates with him. He sees it as a powerful reflection of the organization’s commitment to empowering individuals and fostering transformative change through global collaboration.
“The MCW Global’s motto embodies the egalitarian philosophy that not only allows for the organization to have a significant impact but also provides opportunities to promising individuals who lack the resources. Communities progress most when ordinary people are empowered to create extraordinary change. I have brought this philosophy to my inter-ethnic youth development work in Southeastern Europe to ensure that my community development work provides resources to those most in need of such opportunities.”
Brendan’s journey with MCW Global is multifaceted.
“Since participating in the Fellowship in 2021, I have committed myself to continuing to implement and expand the Bridging Backgrounds program, an inter-ethnic youth development program for high school students in Southeastern Europe that I founded. During my Fellowship year, I worked to expand the Bridging Backgrounds program from North Macedonia to include participants from Albania and Kosovo.”
With the skills he developed through the Fellowship, he successfully implemented the first international Bridging Backgrounds program and has continued to expand the Bridging Backgrounds program to Serbia.
“Moreover, now I am working to expand the Bridging Backgrounds program to Bosnia & Hercegovina and Bulgaria.”
MCW Global: A Catalyst for Opportunity and Lifelong Connections
In conclusion, Brendan emphasizes that MCW Global’s programs offer young people a crucial ladder of opportunity and a supportive network at a pivotal moment in their lives when they are deciding the path they want to take.
“Working in the field of social change can be a grueling experience. Being part of a group of young people who seek to positively impact their communities is indispensable – and that network is precisely what MCW Global provides.”
Acknowledging MCW Global’s 25th Anniversary, Brendan reflects that his connection with the organization has truly been “the gift that keeps giving.”
“There is no other community of which I am a member that invests in each other as much as MCW Global, both through alumni opportunities and the connections that fellows have with one another. I am grateful for the support that MCW Global has provided me, and I look forward to continuing to be a member of this community.”
Transforming Communities for 25 Years: Looking Back, Moving Forward Project brings to you a series of exclusive articles celebrating the 25th Anniversary of MCW Global. The stories and reflections shared represent the experiences and perspectives of individuals involved with the organization in various capacities, starting from alumni, board and team members, affiliates, supporters, and donors.
