Travel Reflections on Connection, Collaboration, and Community

Myself with Kevin and Erica Pippert, 360 Transformation, South Africa

Over the past two and a half months, I’ve had the privilege of traveling to two continents and across Canada for different meetups and conferences. Each destination brought opportunities to reconnect with inspiring individuals and gain fresh perspectives. These trips were more than simply learning about a place but discovering how meaningful connections can shape the way we impact our communities.

 

Part 1 – Incheon, South Korea

In late September, I traveled to Incheon, South Korea, to attend the Fourth Lausanne Movement Congress. This global gathering brings together leaders to address critical social, cultural, and ethical challenges. The focus is on fostering collaboration across borders and creating meaningful dialogue about issues like poverty, injustice, environmental stewardship, and reconciliation.

I was part of a Canadian contingent of over 180 delegates, representing generations from Gen Z to the Silent Generation. I journeyed with Philip Yan and Amy Cheung from the Centre for Redemptive Entrepreneurship at Tyndale University, as well as Simi, a multifaceted leader including founder of the Lagos Coffee Festival. Together, we had the chance to explore South Korea’s culinary scene, sampling dishes like kimbap, soon tofu, and buckwheat pancakes. As a side adventure, we embarked on a hunt for good coffee and Asian pastries, with varying degrees of success.

 

Left to right: Kimbap breakfast, Boxed meals for lunch workshops, Korea night presentation

One of the most touching aspects of the congress was the hospitality shown by the local church and volunteers. They prepared daily meals for all 5,000 delegates offering a selection of both traditional homemade Korean banchan and more Westernized dishes. A highlight for me was an evening dedicated to Korean history, showcasing the resilience and strength of the Korean people. It truly brought the story of Korea to life.

 

To me, the greatest strength of the congress wasn’t the sessions—though they were insightful and thought-provoking—but the connections and conversations that unfolded along the way. During the plenary sessions, we were seated in tables of six. My group was particularly engaging, sparking meaningful discussions and sharing thought-provoking insights. In the afternoons, collaborative sessions focused on addressing various "gaps" and topics of our choice.

Several representatives of HuD Group Global

We also had a HuD Group social lunch, where I reconnected with participants from Ghana, Australia, the USA, Pakistan, and Nepal. These conversations centred around leadership development and training, creating a rich space for exchange. Outside of the formal sessions, the Canadian contingent was highly active, organizing breakfast meetings on topics such as technology, the workplace, and more.

 

In two years, another gathering for younger leaders will take place in São Paulo, Brazil. This event will focus on intentionally mentoring leaders under 40, fostering their growth and building connections as they embark on a shared journey over the next decade. It will be exciting to see the outcomes and impact on this next generation.

 

Part 2 – Sydney, Australia

Two weeks after returning from Seoul, I flew out to Sydney, Australia. The flights were 21 hours each way, and despite the short duration of the stay, it was packed with meaningful reconnections with old friends and the chance to meet new ones.

University of Sydney, NSW, Australia

One memorable day was spent zigzagging across the city, from the central business district to Burwood and Penrith, along the Katoomba line. I walked through the historic Central Station with its clock tower towards the student-friendly areas on Broadway, reaching Sydney Uni. Then, passing through parks, a swimming pool, and the land acknowledgements, I eventually arrived at the iconic quadrangle and jacaranda tree. This area has witnessed countless students navigating final exams, celebrating events, and attending graduations, and for a moment, I was able to relive those memories.

 

Another special moment was meeting Dallas Watts on Pitt Street close to the studio where he once taught. Dallas had been a dedicated mentor to aspiring vocal students and had also taught me during my time in Sydney. Last year, I heard of his battle with glioblastoma and feared the worst, as no updates had followed. It turned out not only is he alive, but his story is nothing short of miraculous. After facing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, he had even prepared for his funeral. Yet against all odds, he went into remission and has now been cancer-free for 13 months. In fact, three follow-up MRI scans have showed no trace of cancer. Out of gratitude, Dallas lives with an even deeper sense of purpose, sharing his remarkable journey of survival to inspire others to embrace life to its fullest.

 

I also connected with Paul, a fellow attendee of L4. Paul shared his experiences working with non-profits, first helping large organizations with fundraising and, more recently, focusing on smaller organizations that also make meaningful impacts in their communities. In both their adopted home of Australia and their country of origin, Paul and his wife Cynthia have made significant contributions with remarkable humility.

It was refreshing to return to Australia and enjoy the pristine nature and experience a bit of spring in the middle of an autumn back home. Additionally, it was inspiring to connect with such individuals who have chosen to serve their communities with purpose and humility.

 

Part 3 – Banff, Alberta, Canada

Ten days after returning from Sydney, I set off to to Alberta for the 2024 CSACI conference. The journey began with boarding the plane at 18°C and stepping off to temperatures near 0°C. From Calgary, we drove through the picturesque Rocky Mountains to Banff National Park, where we purchased a four-day pass to stay in the park. Fresh snow had begun to fall, and deer could be seen wandering around town. The hike at Lake Louise was beautiful but a bit challenging, with fresh, slippery snow and an elevation of 1,840 meters that left us slightly out of breath.

Throwback of CAAIF Gala 2023 (right panel of photo on iPad): Dr Ariana Mustillo, Dr Sundus NoorSaeed, and myself

The conference took place at the castle-like Banff Springs Hotel. It was an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from the allergy and immunology community across Canada. The CAAIF gala was a very Albertan experience, set in a rustic wooden steakhouse with a musician in a plaid shirt playing guitar in the background.

Dr Michael Aw

Left to right: Dr Michael Aw, Dr Clara Long, myself and Dr Nofar Kimchi

A personal highlight of the conference was presenting work from Connexion Nordique, marking a significant milestone in our first year. At CSACI, we showcased two posters and one oral presentation. Dr. Nofar Kimchi, an allergy fellow-in-training, co-presented a case from Nunavik, Northern Quebec, highlighting how climate change is introducing new allergens to remote regions and underscoring the need for proactive allergy management and education.

 

Dr. Michael Aw and Dr. Clara Long, internal medicine residents, presented Connexion Nordique’s educational initiatives, addressing the high burden of atopic diseases in Indigenous communities through culturally sensitive virtual care, capacity-building, and community partnerships. Together, our team is dedicated to improving healthcare in northern regions through a multi-pronged approach of education, advocacy, telemedicine, and community engagement.

 

Part 4 – Montréal / Ste Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada

Back on home turf in Montréal, Maryam El Alaoui, an MScPH candidate, represented Connexion Nordique by presenting our poster at McGill Global Health Night. Her dedication and contributions have been invaluable to our work.

Left to right: Panel discussion, "Live fully" in French, Centre de congrès de Saint-Hyacinthe

Then finally, I took a day trip to Ste-Hyacinthe with Philip Yan, who drove all the way from Toronto, to attend the Conférence AVAD. This is a francophone conference exploring leadership, collaboration, and purpose in professional and community work. The event saw a strong turnout from across Québec, with motivated participants and inspiring speakers who were eager to learn and share. It was a worthwhile experience, not just for the presentations but for the conversations that followed.

 

Concluding thoughts

Team Québec at L4: Philippe Hui (France), Jean-François Moquin, Kevin Strike, Rici Be, and myself

Et voilà, that wraps up an eventful two and a half months filled with meaningful travel and connections. Each of the three major trips reinforced the importance of collaboration, such as working together to share insights, bridge disciplines, and contribute to our fields. By embracing our unique differences as strengths, we become pieces of a larger puzzle that create a stronger, more impactful whole. These experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of purposeful collaboration to inspire meaningful opportunities for the communities we serve.