365 Days of Dare to Learn

TEXT HENNA PURSIAINEN

It has been 365 days of running an international learning platform, one that you probably recognize from its flagship event Dare to Learn. I can’t possibly sum up all the things that I’ve learned during my one-year rollercoaster ride - or how much the experience has already molded me. Not only as a leader but as a learning professional and just as a human being. There are, however, a few things I’d like to point out.

I have had the privilege of working at the intersection of our stakeholders from ministries to trade unions, multinational corporations and startups. Only in this positions have I started to grasp how many approaches you can have to a phenomenon called learning. Coming from the social sciences, I’ve had a special interest in looking at how learning impacts societies as a whole. We cannot ignore learning as a strategic question: not only the importance of upskilling and reskilling but also rethinking our education system and finding out how we can make learning organizations from a myth into a norm.

Big plans and ambitious goals can take a toll on you. It’s not always easy to work in a small team with a mission to promote continuous learning globally and strengthen societal growth mindset. It requires the ability to be resilient, lean into uncertainty and have a very hands-on attitude. At the same time, that is one of the best parts of team Dare: one minute you’re putting up a tent in the inner yard and writing missing name badges, and the second you’re running of for a lunch with an international delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The third and final point is still my favorite. What keeps me going and yearning for another go is the community. I get to lead and work in a community full of passionate and committed people, eager to improve, try out new things and support and encourage one another. And it is not just the Dare community that I have the pleasure of being a part of! There are also other networks, groups and bubbles full of curious minds and adventurous forerunners. Learning is limitless and the same goes for our stakeholders. In the end, what would connect people better than learning? 

So, how about 2020 then?

Looking at the upcoming year, I sense excitement, a tad nervousness and eagerness to get to it. We are now finalizing program tracks, contacting potential partners and planning a change of scenery in terms of moving into our new headquarters. Furthermore, we are recruiting project team members for 2020! If you are interested in becoming our partner, joining the community as a volunteer or otherwise have a revolutionary idea to rethink learning, I’m all ears!

​Apply to the project team here!

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Both pictures by Pekko Korvuo!