A Leadership blog by the alumni of the prestigious inaugural "Hansen Summer Institute on Leadership & International Cooperation" (San Diego: July 2007)
Excellently stated Ram. I particularly agree with your call for a greater coalition. One thing I noticed with all the NGO groups we visited throughout the program is the similarity in their aims, but also the lack of any cohesiveness. Whether the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, or RealityChangers, essentially all were pursuing the same goals of providing peace through understanding and substantive alternatives to violence. All the groups had a vital message to be told, but the NGOs their-self remained quite small and only affected a relatively small audience. Again, with the Joan C. Kroc institute on Peace and Justice, I noticed goals that mirrored those of so many other organizations around the world. However, these organizations lack any substantial bonds to one another, and for the most part, operate in isolation. I can't help but wonder what it is that prevents these groups from uniting and pooling together their diverse talents and resources to form a greater stronger unit. To me, this is the most effective way to deal with what otherwise might seem as overwhelming and daunting tasks. These organizations need not lose their self-identities or particular emphasis, merely build a network to coordinate when these interests overlap, as they so often do. The question of how to build such a community is a difficult one, but I believe the answer can be found in our own experiences in the Hansen Summer Institute. Networking begins in the grass-roots level, person to person. What this institute has provided us is an opportunity to pool together our collective resources and establish a life-long network to be utilized collectively whever our futures may lead us indepedently.
1 comment:
Excellently stated Ram. I particularly agree with your call for a greater coalition. One thing I noticed with all the NGO groups we visited throughout the program is the similarity in their aims, but also the lack of any cohesiveness. Whether the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, or RealityChangers, essentially all were pursuing the same goals of providing peace through understanding and substantive alternatives to violence. All the groups had a vital message to be told, but the NGOs their-self remained quite small and only affected a relatively small audience. Again, with the Joan C. Kroc institute on Peace and Justice, I noticed goals that mirrored those of so many other organizations around the world. However, these organizations lack any substantial bonds to one another, and for the most part, operate in isolation. I can't help but wonder what it is that prevents these groups from uniting and pooling together their diverse talents and resources to form a greater stronger unit. To me, this is the most effective way to deal with what otherwise might seem as overwhelming and daunting tasks. These organizations need not lose their self-identities or particular emphasis, merely build a network to coordinate when these interests overlap, as they so often do.
The question of how to build such a community is a difficult one, but I believe the answer can be found in our own experiences in the Hansen Summer Institute. Networking begins in the grass-roots level, person to person. What this institute has provided us is an opportunity to pool together our collective resources and establish a life-long network to be utilized collectively whever our futures may lead us indepedently.
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