From our Intern Jacquie Crock
For as long I can remember I have never truly understood what Intersticia is. I knew that Mum had a friend called Anni, and they would travel around the world and do interesting things. But I never knew they had a purpose, a common goal and motive that lead them to what Intersticia is today. As one of the newest members of the Intersticia community, joining in the historic year of 2020, my questions were finally answered.
The first thing I realised was that Intersticia is not a workplace, rather a community of like-minded individuals working together for the future.
Some of my first work was with the new “Brave Conversation” podcasts, a brilliant idea to better know each member of the Intersticia community. As a kid, still in school, hearing about people literally studying Martian matter, and working in innovative fields from sustainable energy to aid in humanitarian crises to tech and the arts, I found it quite overwhelming to be part of such an incredible group. However, it only took me a short while to understand that there is not a single member of this community that would ever put themselves on a pedestal. Of the people I have met this year, each have been incredibly articulate and genuinely kind people, and overwhelmingly intelligent all the same!
Another aspect of Intersticia that, rather excited me, was the mechanisms deployed to ensure sustainable work practices.
As soon as I joined my first Zoom meeting I was refreshed to experience people working through future based concepts, ideas that will benefit the international community, not only for themselves but for generations to come. Relating to this idea, I immediately noticed how generous the Intersticia community is. This year has forced us to live online, and although it has had its disadvantages, meeting via zoom and communicating online has lead me to meet so many incredible people.
I am completing my final years in high school and was asked to present a twenty minute presentation on the Gaza Strip, in a brief conversation I mentioned this to Anni, and within hours I was put in touch with an incredibly generous woman who not only took the time to email me and send me articles, but who gave me an hour out of her day to meet with me. This was one of my first experiences with the generosity this community contains and certainly won’t be my last.
After meeting with a collection of people in 2020, I was grateful to learn that even in times of crisis people can still practice things that they value. This image above depicts Palestinians in Gaza practicing music (Pre-Covid). Those in Gaza are resilient and spirited, and that even though they face some of the most prominent challenges of this century, that they are still able to celebrate life.
Unlike friends of mine, who spend hours stacking shelves or working in shops, the time I spend working is educational and truly beneficial for my future. I have had the opportunity to listen in on workshops and meetings and have learnt so much. The social depth that humanity is facing with the rise of technology and globalisation is unlike any other time. Hearing about what these new advancements mean and how to face them has been inspirational and hopeful, knowing about these concepts now has prepared me for the future, however difficult and inconspicuous it will be.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be Intersticia’s newest Intern and look forward to meeting more of you in the future!
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