Women Political Leaders Conference - Iceland November 2021

What a pleasure to be invited to speak on stage about the Power of Water at the Women Political Leaders Summit in Iceland. I was fortunate to meet the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir. It was such a joy to join women working globally in the public sector, making a difference and championing each others’ efforts and work around leadership and inclusion. I always feel honoured to share my story but even more so to talk about the power of water, what it has meant for me in my life so far and how much it continues to drive and shape my current and future plans. Iceland is a beautiful, cold country with a warm and friendly energy. You are surrounded by diverse nature and stunning topography. It felt a fitting way to break my pandemic no travel/no mixing in person with a visit to this special country. Thank you to the Women Political Leaders’ team for inviting me to join, share my story and work and to connect with so many wonderful people. I missed in person connections so much!

Susie with Iceland’s Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir

Susie addressing the Women Political Leaders Summit in November 2021

Disability & Me - Alex Brooker BBC Documentary

Sometimes opportunities come out of the blue and one day last year, I was approached by a production team for the BBC to take part in a documentary on disability, featuring Channel 4 presenter of The Last Leg, Alex Brooker, who wanted to look into his own journey with disability. I have met Alex a handful of times through my time in Paralympic sport over the years, but I had never really spent a lot of time speaking to him, other than a passing “hi” or “bye”, or a “how are you doing”. In fact, I didn’t really know too much about him other than that he is very funny on TV. When I found out more about the documentary, I was cautious to be involved, but felt that the producers would sensibly and fairly portray disability in the film. Of course there is always a nervous trepidation, when you discuss something so personal to you with someone you don’t know very well. However, the day of filming at my old training ground in Crystal Palace (pre-lockdown last year), turned out to be such a fun day. Alex and I chatted for what seemed like hours, despite the short footage, about our often shared experiences of disability, growing up during a similar time, hiding our prosthetic limbs as teenagers and talking about our own journeys of discovery, uncomfortable and comfortable about this strong part of both our identities. The programme launched in July 2020 on BBC 2 at prime time on a Sunday evening at 9pm. I can only say, having not seen the edits or footage before the launch, that I was overwhelmed with the documentary and its reception, on behalf of the producers and Alex who did such an amazing job. I wish I had met all the interesting and thought provoking people Alex spoke to in the film as well. I have received lovely feedback for my very small cameo, but to hear parents of children with disabilities reach out to me and be so happy to see more representation, honest representation, of disability in the media, not just the glory parts of winning medals every four years, has been lovely to receive. Here are some photos from filming and a link to the clip is in my video gallery. Thanks to Alex and all the people featured in the documentary for sharing your experiences of disability so candidly and honestly. I feel honoured to have been a small part of something so special. Thanks to the production team (Pamela) who reached out to ask me to be involved.

Susie and Alex Brooker Behind the Scenes Photo from filming Disability & Me for the BBC

Promotional still footage from Disability & Me (Alex Brooker)

SHE Conference Main Stage, Norway, March 2020

I was invited to address an audience of 2000 global business people in March 2020 in Norway at the annual SHE Conference, Europe’s largest gender diversity conference. It was a huge honour (and I was extremely nervous) to take to the same stage as the former and current Prime Ministers of Norway. For 12 minutes I spoke or “pitched” the importance of remembering that inclusion and identity covers many different things. I used my own personal story and my current professional work around increasing social impact and inclusion in UK aid programming in developing countries through economic empowerment projects. I understand that I am in a position of privilege and still have so much to learn about the plights of many others, however I wanted to use the platform I have to at least raise awareness around gender inclusion intersecting with disability, through my life experiences. It is important that all levels of business consider diversity in all aspects; race, religion, sexuality, disability, gender and so on. It makes business sense and it is the right thing to do. My time on the stage was short, but I attempted to impress the importance of leaving no one behind when we talk about economic opportunities and business. I am grateful to Heidi, Camilla and the organisers for welcoming me to the event and asking me to be vulnerable and open up on stage. I think it is the most emotional and open I have ever been in front of such a large audience. The SHE Conference is an initiative and part of the SHE Community, which aims to increase gender diversity at senior leadership and board levels of business. I hope this community grows and expands across different countries, sectors and ultimately includes even more diverse groups, championing their voices as well. This is something I truly believe in and I hope I can return to speak again in the future, building my own learning and understanding in the process.

World Economic Forum - Annual Meeting of the New Champions and YGL Summit, July 2019, Dalian, China

In July, I took a trip to China to attend the Annual Meeting of the New Champions through the World Economic Forum, or the “Summer Davos” as it is often referred to in Dalian. I was attending the Young Global Leaders Summit beforehand and whilst I could not stay for the full programme, yet again I was inspired and learnt so much in the two days I spent with such an incredible group of people. Each time we meet, which is only once or twice a year, I connect with a wonderful group of leaders from all over the world who are pushing the boundaries in their own countries on a daily basis to create change in their communities, sectors, countries, societies, through business, politics and advocacy. This group of talented people and the staff at the Forum are a constant source of inspiration for me to keep aiming high and doing what I can to support and help others, as well as developing myself into a future leader. I am so proud to be a part of this group, working on multiple global issues in collaboration. Here’s to the next summits and meetings!

Global Education and Skills Forum Conference

I was invited to speak at the Global Education and Skills Forum concert in Dubai recently by the Varkey Foundation, who founded the conference and the inaugural Global Teacher Prize which takes place during the event. I was lucky enough to listen to some incredible talks with teachers, educators and people from all over the world who are genuinely passionate about education. I spoke on a panel at the conference about the importance of putting PE and sport in the curriculum at school, highlighting and debating the importance of sport for mental and physical health. I was joined by Auma Obama, cricketer Brian Lara, a former finalist of the Global Teacher Prize from Germany, footballer Juan Sebastian Veron and Jerry Bamba. We had an interesting discussion covering doping in sport, lessons learned from sport and why these are so valuable for children, the difference between traditional and non-traditional sports. I emphasised to the audience how growing up, sport was not really an option for me at school in the 90s, because very often the teachers did not know what I could physically do and Paralympic sport did not have the profile it has today. Hopefully the teachers in the room will look at the importance of physical activity in schools for all children, no matter their ability.

The full panel discussion can be watched here.

Davos: Disability, Identity and Inclusion. Nothing is impossible.

Next week I will attend my first Annual Meeting with the World Economic Forum. I am excited and honoured, to be named not only as a Young Global Leader with the Forum, but also as a Cultural Leader this year. In January 2018, I watched Davos online with great interest; following the discussions, insights, talks and updates. In 2019, I am attending and participating in some of the discussions around design, inclusion, innovation and education. This will be an opportunity for me to contribute further to disability advocacy work.

The Forum published an article I wrote for them about disability and identity, using my own personal story and insights of grappling with my own identity to share with their followers and to hopefully start a dialogue around defining a new “normal” or breaking free from the bounds of language and words. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/my-disability-my-identity

Marine Conservation - Ocean Ambassador Announcement

I am very excited to announce that I have become an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society. Oceans and marine life have always been a huge part of my life. I grew up learning to swim in Egypt as a child and learning about the wonders of what lies beneath the sea. I remember travelling to the Red Sea at the weekends with my family and jumping off a boat into the water, with nothing beneath me but the big blue. It kickstarted a love of swimming that led me to Paralympic glory, but also a passion for ocean protection and conservation. I became a member of the Shark Trust when I was a teenager and avidly BBC documentaries from Sir David Attenborough and others, anything that covered oceans and seas. In fact, had I felt confident in my skills in the sciences, I was desperate to study marine biology, but other skills in languages meant I went in a different path! However, there is an opportunity now for me to support conservation efforts and education and I hope to support and add value to this global and important topic. I look forward to getting stuck in, learning and understanding about our seas in the UK and to expand and collaborate with others globally. 

Global awareness around climate change, plastic pollution and over-fishing has increased over the past two years, supported by the incredible Blue Planet series amongst others. There is still more to be done however and I will do all I can to protect a precious environment that I am passionate about.  

World Economic Forum - Young Global Leader Class of 2018

Finally I can share some hugely exciting news that I have had to keep to myself for several months. I have been selected after a year long process, nomination, application and interview, by the World Economic Forum to be a Young Global Leader for the Class of 2018. I first found out about the WEF and the YGL programme after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. I was travelling in Australia and China after the end of my swimming career, retiring at the top of my sport. I attended a lunch in China and fate led me to meet Carol Li Rafferty, who listened to my speech about my journey not just as an athlete, but my work at the British Council, my love of cultural relations and languages from University, my work in education and sitting on charity and sports boards and working in welfare and safeguarding. She came up to me afterwards and said she was a YGL and would love to nominate me for the Class of 2018. This was back in December 2016. I researched the YGL group and could not believe the incredible list of current members but also the extensive and impressive list of alumni. We spoke over email for several months and she very kindly submitted my application. It was a touching moment at a point where in my transition as an athlete, I felt lost, doubted my abilities and completely alone, having left the elite sport community with no real links. Carol believed in me and gave me the courage to put myself forward for this opportunity. 

I carried on with my life, changed jobs, announced my retirement from sport and did not think I would be short-listed given the strength of the field of nominations and the fact that there are only a small number of leaders selected across the world. So, when I received further requests to fill out an application form, I was very excited, but naturally tried to manage my expectations. For the final stage, I was selected for an interview and met a YGL alumnus. It didn't feel like an interview but was in fact a fascinating conversation with a very interesting person. If nothing else had come from my nomination, I genuinely enjoyed meeting Tom that day!

Fast forward to now as I announce my selection onto the programme 18 months after meeting Carol, I honestly don't think I have felt so proud since winning my Gold medal. This achievement felt even better and even more exciting. And so, it is with great excitement that I met a few YGLs in my cohort at the Welcome Event recently at the WEF headquarters and we had the honour of listening to Professor Schwab discuss how he founded the Forum. An unbelievable moment. I loved meeting my fellow YGLs and knowing that I will get to work, support and collaborate with them potentially in the future. 

I cannot wait to get started and I am so happy that I am connected to an organisation and group of people that believe in me and each other and believe in working together for the better. I will endeavour to support and help nurture such a fantastic and diverse community. 

Zoggs' Launch of Ecolast™ Swimwear Line

A very exciting day for me on Tuesday this week and another pinch me moment, when I witnessed the launch of Zoggs' Ecolast™ swimwear collection at their international conference in London. I have partnered with Zoggs now since 2016 as their Brand Ambassador, initially as an elite athlete but also now through to my retirement from competitive sport last year. My transition from elite sport has involved adapting to a new identity and rediscovering my passion for swimming in a different way. I have started swimming outdoors as a result, finding my passion again for the underwater world and connecting with why I started swimming in the first place - because I enjoy it and through my love of the Ocean. I remember whilst growing up in Egypt as a child, my first swimming experiences involved jumping into the beautiful vast blue of the Red Sea. I learnt to swim in Egypt as a 6 year old and my fascination with the underwater world and especially sharks, started during this time! The thrill of jumping into the sea and seeing nothing beneath me, I found completely exhilarating and still do. 

So, when Zoggs let me know that they were creating a sustainable swimwear line, made from yarn that is produced from discarded ghost fishing nets, old carpet and plastic debris recovered from the seas around Europe, I was so proud to be a part of their launch and supporting the Ecolast™ products. They are due to officially launch the products from July this year and Zoggs have made a pledge to reduce their packaging and increase the amount of their line that use this specially created yarn over the next few years. So, I decided to join their pledge and have said that I will only wear the Ecolast™ products from now on when I swim! There is something wonderfully poetic about swimming in the Ocean in a costume that is produced from recycled waste recovered from there. They also pledge to reinvest some of the profit back into the companies that retrieve the nets from the water. I was lucky enough to get to try one of the costumes the next day in my swimming session. They look good, feel good and do good! This is why I am hugely proud to continue to work with Zoggs as their Ambassador, as they continue to lead and pioneer the way in being a sustainable company with a higher purpose. Congratulations Zoggs on your forthcoming launch!

London Sports Awards

Once again I was extremely lucky to be invited to the annual London Sports Awards. This time I was a judge on the panel selecting the winners across grassroots sports categories including the workforce award, volunteer of the year, club of the year and many others. It really was a tough job to decide between so many deserving applications. Sport in London is going from strength to strength, bringing communities together, getting people active and showing the value of sport in improving social connectedness. 

I met many people at the start of my swimming career, before I was a funded athlete competing internationally. Sport was my way to manage my stress levels and it quickly became a social activity more than anything else. I treasure the friendships that I have made in the pool which continue to this day. The medals and the wins are not the whole picture. The friendships and the journey, the volunteers that sacrifice their time to help others, those are the people that equally deserve praise. I still owe a huge amount to my coaches, including Keith Morgan at Crystal Palace weightlifting gym. He coached me to six Paralympic medals and did so voluntarily. It is people like him who are the heartbeat of sport and hopefully some of the winners at the recent London Sports Awards will feel that their hard work has been recognised. To all those who did not win, you deserve just as much praise for all the work you do. Keep it up and remember that everything you do is valuable. 

Photo from the London Sports Awards, presenting the Workforce Award on stage with Olympic Gold medallist Duncan Goodhew