Farewell Interview with Hyeseon Do, Senior Programme Officer of EAAFP Secretariat

“I have truly fallen in love”: Hyeseon Reflects on Her Years of Experience at the EAAFP @EAAFP Secretariat Introduction Hyeseon Do recently departed from her role as Senior Programme Officer at EAAFP Secretariat. Hyeseon has been an integral part of the organization for the past six years, dedicating her time and expertise to furthering the mission of the EAAFP. As part of her farewell, this interview gave her an opportunity to share her unique perspective and insights gained during her extensive tenure with the EAAFP. As she bids farewell to her colleagues and moves on to new endeavors, we recognize the invaluable contributions she has made to the EAAFP's work in promoting the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). It also serves as a moment to celebrate her achievements and acknowledge the impact she has had on the organization's initiatives. Her dedication, professionalism, and passion for environmental conservation have been evident throughout her time with the EAAFP. We extend our best wishes to Hyeseon as she embarks on new endeavors, confident that her knowledge and experience will continue to drive positive change in the field of conservation. We are grateful that she has reflected on her journey, and shared her valuable insights to hopefully inspire others to take up the cause of protecting our precious waterbirds, their homes, and the livelihoods of those who depend on them. @EAAFP Secretariat Question: What was the motivation that brought you to the EAAFP Secretariat? Hyeseon: I started working at the EAAFP Secretariat as a Programme and Communication intern almost 10 years ago. I think that's how I started my life together with the EAAFP. My motivation came certainly from the people I had met, their inspiration, and migratory waterbirds (It was the first in my life to see through a scope! Like other most interns here.) during that internship period. That was amazing, to meet many conserving needs, our Partners and then the staff members who have been really motivated by Nature and a joint goal. I've never met such passionate people about their work and then for something most people probably don't focus on. So that was certainly a trigger for me to learn and then a rechanneling of my career and life path. Before I re-joined the Secretariat, I majored in international law in China and then I worked for the NGOs, a UN agency, an embassy, and then a law firm. My background is very diverse, and I was still very ambitious and hesitant to pick the best one I could pursue for the rest of my life based on my knowledge and experience and full of curiosities  But as soon as I really met the devoted people here, I found that probably this is the kind of destiny that would make me work a lot meaningfully (or workaholic!) with a strong justification. Question: You mentioned that you were an intern at the EAAFP Secretariat 10 years ago. Do you see any parallels between your experience as an intern and your experience that came afterward as a Programme Officer? Do you think your experience helped you? Hyeseon: Yes indeed. The experience I had before being a Programme Officer having already had almost 15 years of experience in diverse environments including the school life in China had a great impact. The unique thing or character I probably would’ve brought to the Secretariat and to the Partnership was a little bit of a different sense of having work experience in a different way from the conservation field. So, I tried to bring the knowledge e.g. formulating a capacity building program and training internally and with the externals (including youth, and governments), diplomatic skills, strategic coordination skills, and administration management skills. All these experiences certainly helped a lot to shape my work stream, and workstyle and to make the Secretariat system settle in more effectively and efficiently. @EAAFP Secretariat Question: What big challenges did you face in your role as Programme Officer and what lessons did these challenges teach you? Hyeseon: Yes, the biggest challenge was I was not a keen birdwatcher, I didn’t know the names, and still the most difficult part! I've been thinking about this question a lot and of course, there are so many things beyond the specific challenges at work I have faced. But if I had to not consider only my challenges here but what the EAAFP is facing collectively it still would be the challenge of how to convince a wider group of people, how to strategically tell our story and mission to the people so that they are emotionally invested and being a supporter. We deal with a variety of stakeholders so effective storytelling taking that into account, to prompt their thoughts about the importance of biodiversity conservation or the importance of the migratory waterbird habitat was the biggest challenge. To address this, with the collaboration with my team and colleagues, I've been very focused on how our EAAFP can be branded globally and domestically and then how we can tell a compelling appealing story to anyone not only for our Partners, but for diplomats, mayors, private sectors, media, site managers, civil societies, and general public. So, I made a storyboard myself that targets different groups of people and considers what I need to tell this group or the other group in their languages. I trusted the person motivated will whisper our stories to their family, friends, and colleagues. @EAAFP Secretariat Question: Thank you for your answers. What is your message to your colleagues? Hyeseon: A message your work is contributing even though you can’t see the result right away and makes your work and time meaningful! One day the scattered dots will all be connected. Our work is invisible sometimes and then people also don't know. So, we personally need to be truly motivated, and we must be goal-oriented otherwise we can’t tell the real message we wanted. If we are not convinced by nature or by our mission our story that we cannot convince others.  I highly recommend that everyone really tries to have that mindset and for everyone to really chase opportunities and hope for all of us. It’s been almost 10 years journeying with EAAFP Secretariat and still many former interns and colleagues said EAAFP Secretariat has a unique and amazing atmosphere which can’t be found in other organizations and miss about. We were special and will be! Please continue and then remember the precious moments you have in love and how we formed synergy together. That is all that’s needed. That’s my feeling and it's continued even now. @EAAFP Secretariat Question: I think working here it seems that you really have hopes for us and hopes for us to continue and for the entire organization as an entity not necessarily just as staff. What do you hope for? What is your hope for the EAAFP and the Secretariat? Hyeseon: There's a big hope! As everyone knows, the Partnership is growing and expanding, and it means that now there is greater awareness of how crucial nature is for all people. These days the biodiversity agenda is really on top of everything globally, especially when we talk about climate change. We shouldn’t miss this timing, we need to collaborate and cooperate more to synergize it and then make our agenda up front at site, regional and national levels (wherever you are and whatever you can) more than any agenda. Just emphasize that the nature and migratory waterbirds that surround you are there and that we really need to protect together (and that's the aim of our Flyway Partnership) as an indicator of the climate crisis and that we have been not just only working with the government Partner, but we work with other diverse Partners and collaborators, including the ground site level as well. The Partnership story is real, and we are not selfishly fighting for ourselves, for all of us including your family. That is my hope. Question: All right so now we're going to ask some personal questions only for you. Working at the EAAFP you might already have a lot of memorable moments, but can you share with us one of your most memorable moments you had while working at the EAAFP? Hyeseon: That's difficult to pick one of the memorable moments. Of course, I was really pleased to meet all of the Partners and supporters at the 11th Meeting of Partners in Brisbane early this year, we’ve collectively made many important decisions, danced, sang, laughed, and hugged - and were happy about being gathered again after the COVID pandemic. Another memorable moment I can think of - like for example EAAFP was part of the World Natural Heritage Site nomination for the Yellow Sea tidal flats (important habitats for migratory waterbirds) and because of that, I visited the different sites in Yellow Sea, and I met lots of the stakeholders including from countries, local government, experts and local communities, to understand the issues, conflicts, impacts, and concerns. I was just very honored to be a part of the journey of making the inscription happen eventually. The momentum that the Partnership really made is to see the support from the UNESCO member countries to agree to announce to the world that they encourage to protect these identified habitats for the Heritage in the Flyway as a top priority at the UNESCO committee meeting.  At the moment, I also couldn’t stop crying and smiling as I knew how our Partners desperately wanted to protect these areas. My dream came true partially. I was really honored to be the presenter on behalf of the EAAFP to say that we are really pleased about the commitment and hope that following this example, other countries can step up together to really protect these habitats in every way they can for our Flyway and their Flyway. Subsequent follow-up measures and conversations are continuing until now. People talk more about Flyway everywhere. @EAAFP Secretariat Question So the job that you had, you got to the rank of Senior Programme Officer because you've been here a long time. When you're in a position for a long time sometimes your motivation can ebb and flow. Sometimes you're really motivated and sometimes the work seems difficult. How did you personally maintain your motivation to keep going with the job? Hyeseon: To be honest I think of course there were moments that I was discouraged, for example, if somebody isn’t committed after we put a lot of effort change their mind. In those moments I tried to meet the local people or visit the site because in any case, our ultimate goal is to give a benefit to their livelihood at the local level.  As I was very new to the conservation field and flyway work when I joined the Secretariat, I had to put triple the effort than others to understand the dynamic and identify real impact at the local level and on Partnership. I didn’t want to ruin what people had built on, so didn’t mind approaching any people who will help me to have up-close lessons and experiences. Our Partners and supporters were always approachable and answered very patiently and kindly whenever I inquired (even though those are very easy ones). Looking back, my energy and motivation were from the people the most including our team members, colleagues, and flyway friends.  Of course, sometimes I go bird watching or do local activities as well to really feel what we are doing the work for. Namdong Reservoir (located in Incheon, surrounded by industrial zones and an urban reclaimed city), Black-faced Spoonbill breeding habitat, was one of my favorite places I can breathe and seek a solution when I felt stuck.   Question: I see. So, you're leaving very soon. What is your plan after leaving the Secretariat? Anything you're particularly excited about? Hyeseon: Sorry - I'm so excited about all! I definitely have mixed feelings as I leave you and all. Even though I won’t be a part of the Secretariat, the memory I really have had here with all of you is so memorable that I think whatever I do, I think that I will be trying to find a way to re-contribute the work of the Flyway.  In the long term, my plan is to continue working in the conservation field and find ways to contribute in different ways. I want to join volunteering activities as a tour guide/site manager/educator/interpreter/birdwatcher at sites to understand the challenges and needs of local people and travel the natural sites around the world.  Additionally, I'm interested in corporate engagement and how to incorporate the biodiversity agenda into their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) actions and strategies. So, I am taking a self-sabbatical with my new binoculars – I will be around, so don‘t be surprised if I show up in your country and event. Question: We now have a great idea as to what your experience has been here. But if you could sum up your feelings as you're leaving into one word or one phrase, what would it be? Hyeseon: Currently, I find it difficult to express my emotions precisely. However, I must admit that I no longer feel sadness because I have come to realize that no matter where I go, I will always be a part of the conservation work. This realization brings me a sense of gratitude and blessing, especially considering the remarkable individuals I have had the privilege of meeting and working with across the globe. Witnessing the shared passion and dedication of hundreds of people is a sight I had never before encountered. EAAFP was a truly special atmosphere and one that we should strive to preserve. Through these encounters, I have forged connections and friendships that span the entire world. This realization not only fills me with a deep sense of gratitude but also ignites an ever-growing love for the work we do and the mission we pursue. In all honesty, I believe I have truly fallen in love with the field of conservation. @EAAFP Secretariat The Secretariat created a message board for Hyeseon. If you have any message to her, please leave it here: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/GbD0L90E