Four Qs with Aaron Chan
Welcome to Four Qs, where we sit down with active members of our community.
Globally sat down with Aaron Chan, Senior Associate at the Asia Group. He is also the G20 Youth Delegate for the United States on Youth & Democracy, a Globally Public Policy New Voices Fellow and Emerging Leaders for Climate Action Fellow, a YPFP member, and a member of EAGLE’s Winter 2024 Cohort.
How did you encounter Globally?
I discovered Globally through my involvement with the DC Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP). Joining YPFP during my master's studies was a pivotal decision for me, and when Globally emerged, it felt like a natural progression. It offered a platform to extend beyond YPFP, allowing me to participate in diverse programs and connect with individuals from communities I wouldn't have otherwise encountered.
Aaron Chan.
How do you feel you have changed, personally and professionally, after joining Globally communities and programs?
I feel that I have grown tremendously, both professionally and personally, since joining Globally. Through Globally, I've had the opportunity to represent the United States at multiple international fora, work on many projects I'm passionate about, get published, and collaborate with so many driven and passionate young professionals across a multitude of policy spaces. Being connected with so many like-minded young professionals, has given me more than a network, it has given me a network of lifelong friendships I will always hold dear. The opportunity to attend international conferences and represent my country were incredible experiences, but they also challenged me, and helped me grow and improve in ways I never anticipated.
What are the biggest challenges you see in your space of influence, and how has the community helped you?
I see the lack of real youth representation in decision making spaces as one of the biggest challenges we face today. The decisions made today will have the largest effect on young people for the longest percent of their lives, yet often, their voices are marginalized or tokenized in policy discussions. One clear example is international policy conferences. From my view international conferences emphasize the importance of youth, but don't really create tangible avenues for meaningful engagement. What I mean by that is either youth are provided a separate space, usually in an advisory capacity whose advice isn't really taken seriously; or youth are allowed to attend, but other barriers like lack of financial assistance for attendance, travel, and accomodation create massive barriers for young people.
The Globally community has been instrumental in confronting this challenge by fostering dialogue and brainstorming innovative strategies to empower global youth. Beyond just programming, the connections and friendships I made with other young professionals and advocates have helped me think about new and innovative ways to think about how global youth can seize a seat at the table, and have reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of youth to solve today's challenges.
What would you suggest to someone who is starting a career in public service?
My best advice to someone looking to start a career in public service is to have a strong sense of what motivates you. Public service demands resilience, good judgement, and emotional investment, and it's easy to lose sight of your purpose amidst the challenges. Personally, as a first-generation student, I've witnessed the sacrifices my family made to support my education and career aspirations. Their hard work instilled in me a profound sense of duty towards my community and a commitment to making a positive impact. If you're thinking about a career in public service, reflect on what drives you and draw inspiration from your personal journey. Whatever your north star is, make sure you never lose sight of it.
