Things over here are very busy!
Iraq is hot in the summer ....about 55 most days and cools off to the mid-40s at night. Thankfully, it's a dry heat or no one would survive. It's hard enough as it is ....the soles of my shoes melted on the street in Baghdad the other day, and it wasn't because of a bomb!! Actually, the security situation has improved here a lot lately. There are still incidents most days, but nothing like it was. People are slowly beginning to return to normal lives ...it's impressive to see how resilient people can be. Families are close here, which has a big impact on people's ability to cope with the instability. Material things don't matter much ...it's a simple life ...but you can tell when people are happy and surrounded by the people they love. The politicians are just the same ...normal people for the most part. But they are truly heroic in the way they push forward to try to make this "thing" work.
I met a man who has become a friend over recent months. He is respected for many reasons, but I couldn't quite understand why he was able to cross certain ethnic and sectarian lines when others couldn't. Finally, he explained to me that he had spent seven years in Abu Graihb prison under the tyranny of Sadam Hussein. He was tortured and experienced things no man should live through. But while he was there, he got to know some of his fellow prisoners ....several of the survivors (not many in total) are now leaders of different political groups. As a result, they have a unique bond ...and an appreciation for the gift of life ....and the need to change things for the future of the country. It's not surprising, then, that they are so fearless in their resolve. They need help, but they will figure it out and in time. Hopefully, this amazing country will reach its full potential.
I will be travelling a lot over the coming months ....Baghdad, Amman, Cairo, UK, Rome, Dubai, Australia, Indonesia ...all before I head home for Christmas! The adventure continues ...and I am truly grateful for the experience!
Salam Alaykom! (Peace be with you!)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Off to Iraq!
The adventure continues!!
I have accepted an interesting offer to go to Iraq and work as the Governance Director and as the lead interlocateur with the Iraqi government.
It's crazy, I know ...and I don't really want to leave Jordan and the program here. But the opportunity in Iraq is unique and comes at a time when I believe there is finally some hope for real change. The goal is to try to build some political will and find reasons for people to agree on the issues affecting the lives and future of the Iraqi people. I'm realistic ....but hopeful!
So, I'll be headed to Erbil in the next month or so ..travelling to Baghdad about once a month. So far, key leaders have accepted the invitiations to come and meet in Erbil, but some face time in Baghdad will be important.
It's going to be an interesting time ...for many reasons! But I'm looking forward to the challenge.
Stay tuned ....
I have accepted an interesting offer to go to Iraq and work as the Governance Director and as the lead interlocateur with the Iraqi government.
It's crazy, I know ...and I don't really want to leave Jordan and the program here. But the opportunity in Iraq is unique and comes at a time when I believe there is finally some hope for real change. The goal is to try to build some political will and find reasons for people to agree on the issues affecting the lives and future of the Iraqi people. I'm realistic ....but hopeful!
So, I'll be headed to Erbil in the next month or so ..travelling to Baghdad about once a month. So far, key leaders have accepted the invitiations to come and meet in Erbil, but some face time in Baghdad will be important.
It's going to be an interesting time ...for many reasons! But I'm looking forward to the challenge.
Stay tuned ....
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Thoughts for 2008
I resisted the temptation on New Year’s Day to fire out something pithy about 2008 being full of wonder and surprise and optimism. Instead, I opted to settle into the New Year for a few days and think about the year ahead in the context of all the changes we are facing this year and how they might affect our lives.
Change number one ….”it’s the economy stupid”. With all the focus on world events, elections, terrorism and natural disasters, it looks like 2008 is the year that the economy at home can no longer be put on the backburner. The attention in the media will be on oil prices above $100 per barrel, which is significant enough. But what that means to families is a rise in prices across the board, including groceries and other commodities like coffee, sugar, and the feed our farmers use to raise the livestock we consume. Inflation has been creeping up for the past 18 months in all the core areas, slowly taking away larger chunks of your disposable income. The falling US dollar has resulted in other currencies, like the Canadian dollar, rising out of proportion with the global economy. This makes Canadian goods and services more expensive in a tougher market.
It is not hard to imagine companies, governments, school boards, hospitals and the like reducing the size of their labour force …laying people off. It’s a cycle of events that economists will tell you is healthy over time to ensure we keep trying to find new ways to be more productive with fewer resources. It’s true …but for families who are working hard to make ends meet, it’s likely to be a tough year.
The good news is that the political leadership in Canada has begun to say the right things and show a little leadership. Reducing the GST tax to 5% made a notable difference on January 1st. Not much, but enough that it made people feel better.
In the United States, the Presidential Election gives the hopefuls a chance to lay out their plans for the future. As the war in Iraq takes less of the centre stage, the economy has begun to emerge as a central issue. No doubt, Americans who are paying more for things and getting paid less, are likely to make it THE central issue in November. Elections have a way of focusing attention, especially in a recession. The bad news is the US federal budget that has been negotiated in recent days spells out whopping deficits and unprecedented debt, the likes of which future generations will not forgive us for.
However, I have faith in the “household economic unit”. People have always shown tremendous resilience and creativity in managing the family cheque book. So maybe it’s a less expensive holiday this year, or more attention to the bills and some basic conservation. One way or another, families will lead governments, and make the changes they need to keep their heads above water this year. That’s not optimism …it’s what happens when people are forced to take more responsibility for their lives and their actions …they figure it out.
Change number two …political leadership. Elections are in the air. Several Canadian provinces are preparing to go to the polls. The federal minority government in Canada will soon pass the 2nd anniversary, which is rare for minority governments. The campaign machines are all set to go when the Prime Minister thinks he can win a majority …expected to be sometime this year. And the there is the Presidential Election in the United States.
As a Canadian living in the Middle East, I am always amazed at the level of knowledge and attention paid by people all over the world to US politics. People here know the candidates, know the issues, and often express support or criticism for a candidate or their policies. It’s a big deal …I know. It’s not just about choosing a new “leader of the free world”, it’s about the end of the Bush era in the White House. Change …it will definitely come, regardless of who wins. “Change” as a concept, as an idea, what it means …will be debated to the point of making us all ill. Candidates will argue the finer points of complicated policies on network television every day for the next eleven months. It’s a great reason for a rise in DVD sales and rentals.
The prospect of new leadership does result in some optimism. On the heals of new leaders in Great Britain, France, China, and many other countries in 2007, a new administration in the US will be seen as a new opportunity in a smaller and smaller world.
Change number three …it’s a smaller world. It’s a trend that has been going on for years, but 2008 will see some of the implications of events that have been lining up since the 60’s.
Part of this effect results from technology. Information can whisk around the world instantly, and more and more people have access to it. The result is that we are amazingly well informed about events around the world. For years, the focus has been on creating the systems to make it all happen. Now it has happened and this is the year, in my opinion, that we settle in to it simply being a part of our lives. The impact is enormous …it is a social shift that affects our collective psychology.
The theory is that every decision we make in life is based on either fear or desire. Even the decision to get out of bed in the morning is based on either the fear of being late, or the desire to do something. How many people get up early on weekends but can’t drag themselves out of bed during the work week?
Those inputs that affect the fear and desire equation have changed. The more information we have, the more there is to be afraid about or motivated by. It’s a delicate balance at the best of times. In 2008, we will have been “living with” the new information age for about 8 years …a typical cycle, or roughly how long it takes for innovation to become part of our lives and not new innovation.
Events in Kenya, China, Sudan, cities in Europe have all become part of our regular conversation …in the same breathe as events in our local communities. We are moved by such events and they change the way we feel about our lives as a result. In some cases, our priorities shift or our attitudes change because of this global conversation we are having.
People who are much smarter than I am will write the books and provide the analysis. I can only hope that the growing global conversation helps us to understand each other a little better. To me, that would be a pretty good outcome for 2008.
Change number one ….”it’s the economy stupid”. With all the focus on world events, elections, terrorism and natural disasters, it looks like 2008 is the year that the economy at home can no longer be put on the backburner. The attention in the media will be on oil prices above $100 per barrel, which is significant enough. But what that means to families is a rise in prices across the board, including groceries and other commodities like coffee, sugar, and the feed our farmers use to raise the livestock we consume. Inflation has been creeping up for the past 18 months in all the core areas, slowly taking away larger chunks of your disposable income. The falling US dollar has resulted in other currencies, like the Canadian dollar, rising out of proportion with the global economy. This makes Canadian goods and services more expensive in a tougher market.
It is not hard to imagine companies, governments, school boards, hospitals and the like reducing the size of their labour force …laying people off. It’s a cycle of events that economists will tell you is healthy over time to ensure we keep trying to find new ways to be more productive with fewer resources. It’s true …but for families who are working hard to make ends meet, it’s likely to be a tough year.
The good news is that the political leadership in Canada has begun to say the right things and show a little leadership. Reducing the GST tax to 5% made a notable difference on January 1st. Not much, but enough that it made people feel better.
In the United States, the Presidential Election gives the hopefuls a chance to lay out their plans for the future. As the war in Iraq takes less of the centre stage, the economy has begun to emerge as a central issue. No doubt, Americans who are paying more for things and getting paid less, are likely to make it THE central issue in November. Elections have a way of focusing attention, especially in a recession. The bad news is the US federal budget that has been negotiated in recent days spells out whopping deficits and unprecedented debt, the likes of which future generations will not forgive us for.
However, I have faith in the “household economic unit”. People have always shown tremendous resilience and creativity in managing the family cheque book. So maybe it’s a less expensive holiday this year, or more attention to the bills and some basic conservation. One way or another, families will lead governments, and make the changes they need to keep their heads above water this year. That’s not optimism …it’s what happens when people are forced to take more responsibility for their lives and their actions …they figure it out.
Change number two …political leadership. Elections are in the air. Several Canadian provinces are preparing to go to the polls. The federal minority government in Canada will soon pass the 2nd anniversary, which is rare for minority governments. The campaign machines are all set to go when the Prime Minister thinks he can win a majority …expected to be sometime this year. And the there is the Presidential Election in the United States.
As a Canadian living in the Middle East, I am always amazed at the level of knowledge and attention paid by people all over the world to US politics. People here know the candidates, know the issues, and often express support or criticism for a candidate or their policies. It’s a big deal …I know. It’s not just about choosing a new “leader of the free world”, it’s about the end of the Bush era in the White House. Change …it will definitely come, regardless of who wins. “Change” as a concept, as an idea, what it means …will be debated to the point of making us all ill. Candidates will argue the finer points of complicated policies on network television every day for the next eleven months. It’s a great reason for a rise in DVD sales and rentals.
The prospect of new leadership does result in some optimism. On the heals of new leaders in Great Britain, France, China, and many other countries in 2007, a new administration in the US will be seen as a new opportunity in a smaller and smaller world.
Change number three …it’s a smaller world. It’s a trend that has been going on for years, but 2008 will see some of the implications of events that have been lining up since the 60’s.
Part of this effect results from technology. Information can whisk around the world instantly, and more and more people have access to it. The result is that we are amazingly well informed about events around the world. For years, the focus has been on creating the systems to make it all happen. Now it has happened and this is the year, in my opinion, that we settle in to it simply being a part of our lives. The impact is enormous …it is a social shift that affects our collective psychology.
The theory is that every decision we make in life is based on either fear or desire. Even the decision to get out of bed in the morning is based on either the fear of being late, or the desire to do something. How many people get up early on weekends but can’t drag themselves out of bed during the work week?
Those inputs that affect the fear and desire equation have changed. The more information we have, the more there is to be afraid about or motivated by. It’s a delicate balance at the best of times. In 2008, we will have been “living with” the new information age for about 8 years …a typical cycle, or roughly how long it takes for innovation to become part of our lives and not new innovation.
Events in Kenya, China, Sudan, cities in Europe have all become part of our regular conversation …in the same breathe as events in our local communities. We are moved by such events and they change the way we feel about our lives as a result. In some cases, our priorities shift or our attitudes change because of this global conversation we are having.
People who are much smarter than I am will write the books and provide the analysis. I can only hope that the growing global conversation helps us to understand each other a little better. To me, that would be a pretty good outcome for 2008.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
