JUST will turn 34 on 1 August 2026.
Back in 2010, I was in my twenties and looking for a change. I needed a breath of fresh air after my previous job, so I applied for a position at the International Movement for a Just World (JUST). I honestly didn’t know what to expect.
I still remember arriving at the office in Jalan Gasing for my interview. The first thing that struck me was its surroundings. It was nestled amidst lush greenery; so peaceful and calming. I remember thinking, “What a beautiful place to work.” It felt like the fresh start I had been searching for.
I was interviewed by Mr Anas Zubedy, who was the Secretary-General of JUST at that time. He was outgoing and easy to talk to. He made the conversation flow so naturally that I walked away thinking, “This job is probably going to be a walk in the park.”
How wonderfully wrong I was.
The years that followed challenged me in ways I never imagined. Of course, I learnt the practical things—administration, organisation, planning and helping with responsibilities that come with keeping an organisation running. But those were only part of the lessons.
JUST taught me something far more valuable.
It taught me that work can have a purpose beyond earning a salary. It introduced me to ideas about justice, humanity, compassion, and dignity. It showed me that the struggles of people thousands of miles away are not someone else’s problem—they are part of our shared human story and responsibilities.
JUST also taught me something much deeper.
It taught me to care about people I had never met, to understand issues I had never thought about before, and to believe that justice, compassion and humanity are values worth standing up for.
Working alongside Dr Chandra Muzaffar, EXCO Members and remarkable colleagues, I came to appreciate what it means to stay committed to a cause, even when the road is not easy.
One lesson from Dr Chandra has stayed with me all these years. He would often remind us that our efforts are “just a drop in the ocean.” At first, I thought he meant that our work was insignificant. Over time, I came to understand that he meant something quite different. It was a lesson in humility. We may never change the world overnight, and we may never witness the full impact of our work. But every drop matters because, without each drop, there is no ocean. I learnt that making a difference is not always about grand gestures. Sometimes it is about showing up every day, doing your part with sincerity, and believing that every article, every programme, every dialogue and every conversation can help make the world a little better. That philosophy shaped the way I see not only my work at JUST, but life itself. It taught me that meaningful change is rarely the result of one grand act. More often, it is built quietly through countless small acts of courage, compassion and persistence, carried out by ordinary people who refuse to give up on a just cause.
Like any journey, there were challenging days and moments of exhaustion. But there were also friendships, laughter, invaluable lessons and a deep sense of purpose that made it all worthwhile.
Looking back today, I realise I came to JUST looking for a new job. Instead, I found a second home.
To JUST, thank you for taking a chance on a young woman in her twenties. Thank you for shaping not only my career, but also my values, my perspective and the person I have become.
It has been an honour to be part of your journey for the past 16 years, and it is an even greater privilege to continue walking this path with you.
Haida Dzulkifli
International Movement for a Just World
28 July 2026
Kuala Lumpur