Speak up girls ... use your voice

Notes presents a few of the speakers and images from the conference Women as Global Leaders hosted by Zayed University in Dubai recently

Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland is a medical doctor, public health expert, politician, environmentalist, the youngest and first woman to become prime minister of Norway, and former director-general of the World Health Organisation.

She has championed public health issues and sustainable development and has been at the forefront of efforts to protect and preserve our environment.

Brundtland was one of the key speakers at the recent Women as Global Leaders conference organised by Zayed University. She spoke to Notes about how to make a career in the United Nations.

What are the qualities that kept you in good stead throughout your career?
You need your values with you. You need global perspective and the realisation that there is equality between men and women.

I believe that when something happens in your life you have to take that chance and go for it.

You should also be fast in your work; efficiency is another quality you should have.

I want you to also think that everything is linked globally, so when you think, try and understand everything around you.

While in college, be clear about what you want and express your thoughts and when you come to a different conclusion it is OK, but explain why!

Take a stand, think about the argument, and share your primary thoughts with others. Also remember to speak up girls! Use your voice!

How would you advise us to attain these qualities?
We attain these qualities through the support of our family and friends. I know that I am what I am because of my father. He was my leader. He believed in me and told me I can do it. I can be who I am.

My husband was there with me as well; he believed in me and told me that he will take care of the family and that I can do what I have to do.

One more thing I would like to add is that when you work together, you will learn from the people around you, which will make you better at what you are doing.

What is your advice for those aspiring to a career in the United Nations?
Go for it! You can start with a non-governmental organisation and gain practice there. Get a good education and keep all your values. If not that, then go for training jobs.

Always remember, you are not an individual who works on her own, you are a member of a society who will be working for an entire group that consists of you, your family, your neighbourhood, your society, your country, and eventually the world.

I would also like to add that if you want to go in this direction, you have to be globally aware, know what is going on and do not be shocked, be always open-minded about everything.

When I was at the Harvard School of Public Health, I was with a lot of international students and I was not surprised by what they brought because I was globally aware of my surroundings.

I know what is going on and this is one advice I give all the girls, to be more globally aware because you do not work for yourself, you work for the world.

The writer is a communication and media sciences student