There is nothing “soft” about soft skills. The most in-demand skills for a 21st Century workplace, such as working with people from diverse backgrounds or advocating for ideas you believe in, are not for the “weak.” Nor is “listening” a passive skill— it requires intention and active participation. We may not have been born with emotional maturity and self-awareness, but we have the capacity to learn and get better. With active listening and self-reflection, we can include diverse voices, open ourselves to different perspectives, and become effective collaborators, managers, and leaders. It is the smart thing to do.
 
Join us for a fun interactive activity where you will apply critical thinking, practice active listening, and learn about your “inner voice.” Moreover, you will deepen your awareness of factors that influence your communication with people from different cultures and backgrounds. The workshop will end with a brief presentation and an invitation to participate in Global Circles. A fully-funded (free) program, Global Circles brings together young people around the globe to learn and network through small face-to-face exchanges. Soliya’s innovative approach to these virtual exchanges goes beyond conventional online education or communication. Through facilitated discussions on timely topics and interactive activities, participants develop greater global awareness while building critical skills. Successful participants receive a Certificate of Completion and gain access to resources and a global professional network.  

**Your Workshop Facilitators**
 
**Rafael Tyszblat** is an innovation and design Specialist at Soliya, with more than 15 years of experience as a trainer and a facilitator. He is based in Paris, France, and is involved in many initiatives to build bridges between cultural, religious, and political communities.    
 
**Heba Abdelaziz** is a cross-cultural exchange program officer at Soliya with rich experience in designing and implementing cross-cultural curricula. Heba is a facilitator, coach, and trainer who is originally from Egypt and now based in the United Kingdom. 
 
**Your Host/Moderator**

**Ayca Ariyoruk** - Director of Global Partnerships and Communication. She is from Turkey and is based in New York. 

There is nothing “soft” about soft skills. The most in-demand skills for a 21st Century workplace, such as working with people from diverse backgrounds or advocating for ideas you believe in, are not for the “weak.” Nor is “listening” a passive skill— it requires intention and active participation. We may not have been born with emotional maturity and self-awareness, but we have the capacity to learn and get better. With active listening and self-reflection, we can include diverse voices, open ourselves to 

The Stevens Initiative is an international effort to build global competence and career readiness skills for young people in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa by growing and enhancing the field of virtual exchange. It is a lasting tribute to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, a public servant who dedicated himself to building understanding between people from different countries. The Stevens Initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Aspen Institute. It is also supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.


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