In order to increase collaboration within the region and help Affinity Groups organize new and exciting events, the Region 8 Young Professionals subcommittee is launching a new program called the Event Exchange Program across the region (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa).

The concept of the program is simple: Affinity Groups send the Region 8 Young Professionals subcommittee information about the events they have organized, and this information is then published at http://yp.ieeer8.org. Submissions typically include the title of the event, a short abstract, aims, main challenges and how they were overcome, outcomes, and suggested improvements, but they can differ depending on the nature of the event. While the amount of information and materials provided are decided by the members submitting them, the more content is shared, the more useful the program will be. Any publicity materials or other content used for the event can also be submitted.

By participating in this program, members will help other Young Professional Affinity Groups around Region 8, create a closer sense of community, and offer the ability to engage with YP members from all over Region 8. It is not just a great opportunity for individual Affinity Groups to show the world the great events they organize, but also to help other Affinity Groups while obtaining new ideas for innovative activities they can run themselves. Affinity Groups who submit event materials will receive Region 8 Young Professionals t-shirts as a token of our subcommittee’s gratitude.

We hope the Event Exchange Program will prove to be a valuable and useful tool for all Young Professional Affinity Groups in Region 8, and we look forward to achieving this goal with your help.

Contributed by Flavia Dinca, Region 8 Young Professionals Subcommittee Member