NURTURING RESILIENCE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
THIRD CONFERENCE OF ROMANIAN AMERICAN PROFESSIONALS
June 5th 2021
In the closing of the third annual conference, the IRF president and host congratulated all presenters for their efforts in what was one of the most challenging and miraculous year in recent memory, a year that irreversibly transformed the way we interact, the way we come together. It was a year that surprisingly proved the strength and adaptability of each leader, each diaspora organization.The members of the five councils each have devised their own mechanisms of coping with the stresses imposed by the pandemic crisis, each have devised improved strategies for operating efficiently, identifying accessible human resources at their disposal to recast their network of belonging, largely within the virtual realm where physical distances are abridged. Each of the panels outlined action plans not for reverting to an outdated normal but to build on the experience of connectivity built during this trying time. This conference showcased how we as a community came out of this crisis and immense condition of victimization and moved proactively, assuming social roles, performing at maximum levels and being rewarded with the feeling of overcoming the situation initially perceived as catastrophic. This year was a time when we each took a good look at out competences and limitations and moved from declarative knowledge to sharing our procedural expertise and put into practice our values. IRF has initiated these efforts to promote the recognition of outstanding individuals and the competencies of various organizations to allow their mobilization in the health assertion of our cultural identity within our diverse host society. We value what each one brings to the table, we are open to cooperation supporting the work of the five councils in identifying projects of excellence worthy of national acclaim and of positioning mentors and resilience tutors as role models for generations to come. “Community resilience,” implies local knowledge, networks of trust, of open communication, a focus on the health of members, accountable governance and leadership, efficient use of resources, economic investment in worthy mechanism of mutual support, and a constant preparedness to address evolving stresses that affect the well-being and mental outlook of the community. IRF is committed to continue to engage with members of the scientific diaspora in the five professional councils to consolidate this national forum as a representative structure assessing grassroots needs through the input of experts and conduct qualitative studies researching and proposing best practices for interventions that consolidate our associative ecosystem and positive perception within our host society.