Great leaders of Africa, I would like all of us to try to remind ourselves on the following Principles and Passions.
The Principle of,
1.Africa for Africa through corroboration
2.Exploiting the magic of difference
3.Working towards congruence
And the Passion,
1.Me
2.Africa,
3.Leadership
Each and everyday, I usually spare a time to exploit the general MAGIC of my beloved Africa. With an assistance of the Great Wall of Difference, I normally end up by appreciating the notion that apart from number of differences that we have still we are all from the same womb, ‘Africans’

Now looking to current social, political and economic situation of the continent, we may all agree that something needs to be done in rescuing the beauty of the continent. I do believe that, the adoption and practicality of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) will assist the continent to retain its status to some percentage.

Again by looking on the implementations of the MDG via its principles and objectives to current existing development projects, I then realize that, the above-mentioned Principles and passions of leadership may also suppose to be integrated in African Development strategies and implementations. 

Taking ‘just’ an Instance of the on going Mining projects in my country, I am enforced to believe that the 3 Principles and 3 other passions may not easily be put into practice toward African development initiatives.

I managed to visit Mererani mining area in Arusha, Tanzania, the only sight in the world exploiting TANZANITE!! I am sure you cannot believe or imagine that the communities around do not have access to number of services including water and health services.

Referring to ‘Foreign Investment’ as amongst the principles of MDG, current owners of Tanzanite sights are our beloved brothers and sisters from South Africa. The brothers tend to terrify local citizens around the Mererani area and sometimes killing the local miners to whom during mining process and by accident collides.
Unlucky enough, the country ends up by receiving only 5-10% of the whole share!!

Then, if we analyze the situation, is it what we refer to be Africa for Africa through collaboration? Or are we real working towards congruence and try to exploit the magic of difference that we have?

Let us go back to our roots and try to be guided by 3mentioned Passions, Me, Africa and Leadership so as to enrich the real development that Great Leaders of Africa PREACH.

Dear Grace,
I quite agree with you.Infact i submitted an article on poverty alleviation on the site,and some of the issues you raised are there.
There is a need for a paradigm shift in the policy and implementation processes of donor agencies and “we” as Africans need to change our attitudes even towards ourselves.
We will move this forward,because i believe the language we speak becomes our reality.
God Bless.

Adetola Ajala.
Nigeria.

Some time after finishing the ILP, I was reflecting on how I could bring about change in my community when a friend suggested I joined a focus group on women’s empowerment in Mauritius. It was organised by the UNDP and had the support of the Junior Chamber International, Soroptimist, Association des Femmes Chef D’Entreprise(association of women entrepreneur).

When looking back, I realise how learning about complex adaptative systems helped me. In less than 3 months, WIN, Women in Networking was set up and core teams have started working on projects.

I together with 3 other members are actively designing a capacity building training for women leaders and we are glad to have included some elements of ILP which we believe will help tremendously women in our island.

Although very arduous and highly challenging, this task would not have been possible without the help of selfless people who are trying to make significant positive impact in their communities and very often it’s very small changes. Remember the butterfly effect from the Chaos Theory?

In fact one could find all principles to the success of WIN. Each one of us has his own reality.

The picture shows the founding members at the launch of our first networking event and one leading barrister, Narghis Bundhun addressing the audience. Her speech was about the representation of women in the judiciary.

Click thumbnail to see full-size image

Dear All

I am getting more worried by the day, how do we ensure that we live our principles, especialy in high level of interactions.

How have the others done it? I was OK when integrating the principles amongst my peers - an opportunity comes where you have high level delegation and you wonder how do I bring the principles in?

Talk about inappropriate forum..... Though I don’t necessarily think it could be inappropriate forum, I just want an idea of how to get on with it…

regards

Claudia

Dear Claudia
I read with keen interest your posting. You said it all, there is no inappropriate forum. It is a matter of believing that the principles and passions can be adapted to all situations.
I found myself in a high level training targeting with the senior management of a well known multinational. You would be surprised at the reactions I had when I talked of Appreciative Inquiry for instance. This was not the purpose of my training but I used that concept in one of the interactions I had with the group. They had the stark realisation that they did not catch their people doing the good things but were keen in looking out for errors.
Of course some of the principles can be adapted to the local context. Whilst talking to youth leaders in Mauritius, we went for ‘Mauritius for Mauritius’ instead of Africa for Africa. The aim was to prompt them to reflect on how to stand up on their feet and take responsibility of their lives.

Thanks Aisha

I guess that can be done. I still need the courage though to bring it in when one for instance is sitting with a Minister or Deputy President of a country, where mostly one would not even be the convenor of the meeting, but her role would be to clarify some issues relating to her work and that’s it.

We need to begin to filtrate to the heads of states somehow and opportunities come but one becomes numb. I have once made a full session on the principles in a training for the EU programme managers training which I was running and off course they do say “wow” - eye opening. But the catch is not big, though significant. Lets go big interaction!!!!! I think that is our role and if anyone has been in my shoes before, please lets share how it was done - extremely high level interactions.

I need that push (pick up line - you may call it...)