Dorottya Wágner-Zafirov
INTERVIEW
There have been many changes to the Board and Regional Representatives team of YWPDK in the previous years. Therefore, we would like to thank the members who have been leading the network in the previous years. In this series of interviews, we will focus on the people who have been fundamental in bringing the network to what we know today.
In this edition, we introduce Dorottya Wágner-Zafirov, who has played a central role in driving the network forward. Dorottya Wágner-Zafirov has been a member since 2015 and has significantly contributed to organizing our events, national conferences and various activities. Dorottya has in the previous years served as a board member.
We want to thank Dorottya, for her years of dedication and her contributions to the network. On behalf of the network, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
“I’ve met so many people throughout the years and grew my professional network that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. ”
What was your role and how you “grow” during the past years within the organization?
At first I was just a member attending the events in the Capital region and I also attended 6 national conferences in total throughout the years. At some point I got more active and decided to contribute to the network as well as I just really appreciated all the great events I attended. So I was part of the organizing committee of 3 national conferences. Then in 2022 I got elected to be a Board member which I was part of for a one year term.
What motivated you to join the YWPDK network? And when did you join the network?
I’ve known about the network around the time it started as some of my colleagues at the University were among the first Board members. After the first national conference was held, I heard so many good things about it, so I thought I should join to see what the network is about as I got curious. I think it must have been somewhere in 2015 that I joined.
Which challenges did you face while working at the network?
I think some of the challenges were just stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things that I didn’t do before, like organizing conferences and being on the Board of a national network. But there were always fellow members who supported me if I needed help, and all of these grew me both professionally and as a person. I have learned from these experiences many skills that I will be able to use for the rest of my career.
How has your professional life changed being a member of the network?
I definitely think that the network gave me a lot professionally. I’ve seen and learned so much about water related projects around Denmark by attending technical events and conferences. I’ve met so many people throughout the years and grew my professional network that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. And I have learned soft-skills that I could use at my daily work as well.
“I think some of the challenges were just stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things that I didn’t do before…”
“Finally, of course 2024 will be an exceptionally exciting year when the 1st European YWP conference will come to Denmark, which I believe is a great opportunity to showcase all that the network achieved in the past 10 years.”
Will you recommend joining the YWPDK to other people? Why?
Yes definitely! The network is full of really nice people who have a passion for water. You can learn so much by attending technical events or conferences and also just by talking to the other members and exchanging ideas. And you will for sure also have a lot of fun at the same time.
One particular memory from the network?
I think the highlight for me was the IWA conference in 2022 in Copenhagen. It was such a special event. Pretty much every corner I turned, I accidentally ran into a fellow YWPDK member, who I’ve met during the years I spent in the network. It was so nice saying a few words and catching up with so many from the network. All in all, I think we have a very inclusive and supportive network, and you will have friendly and familiar faces pretty much everywhere you go in your professional life.
How do you envision the future activities and the progression of the role of YWPDK nationally and internationally?
I’m happy to see that the network continues to be active after nearly 10 years! I think throughout the years the network proved to be an important contributor to the Danish water sector. So it is important to keep the level of engagement on a national level to attract new “young” members, which is only possible if even more current members become active. We have a well established network and I think that other newly established networks around the world can learn from our experiences. Finally, of course 2024 will be an exceptionally exciting year when the 1st European YWP conference will come to Denmark, which I believe is a great opportunity to showcase all that the network achieved in the past 10 years.
