WHAT MAKES THE WORLD CARE?

Across the globe, news flashed with chart-topping speed that, sadly and suddenly, music diva Whitney Houston had passed on. A mere 48 years of age, a woman who grew up alongside a generation of now fourty-somethings, would sing no more. She had won her race against abuse of substances and abuse in relationships, but she could not win the race against time that clearly her life's story was working to. News bulletins, across all forms of electronic and other e-based wires, lit up to express shock, sadness, dismay. They continue with little sign of letting up, with little chance of the world not hearing, caring, responding with news. The news is turning into a musical tribute. And people want to know more - what caused this, why such a loss, why now... 'how could this be?'.

At the same time, news wires are carrying the story of untold, ongoing brutalities taking place in Syria under the relentless leadership of President Assad's. Just days ago China and Russia voted against UN sanctions. Every hour, of every day, across Syria, hearts stop beating, lives stop hoping, time has run out. Shock, sadness and dismay can be heard in debates and political dialogues across the globe. While the UN, GCC, Arab League, EU, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and governments of various leading global nations stand together in their condemnation of events in Syria. The numbers killed by a government lead response to protests inspired by the Arab Spring has reached, according to UN sources, over 7000. This past week alone, Homs has seen fatalities in the double-and triple digits each day. Yet, at a global citizenry level, unless one is seeking out the latest on events in Syria, creating a blind spot to the tragedy unfolding, is very possible. The number of people carrying the torch, questioning 'how could this be?', seems to diminish as each new day passes. The news is turning into white noise.

How does the world, as a collective conscience, determine what matters? Every day events occur. How can it be that some issues experience enduring, global response, and others go unnoticed. The life of one artist ends, sadly, and millions mourn. Thousands of lives end, and few, if any, care to know names. How could this be?

As the world moves forward, it would be so valuable to understand what it is that moves the world. What it is that makes an issue become a global outcry? 

What, or who, does it take to make the world care? 

To solve this mystery would be to take a massive step forward in leveraging the power and promise of the global community for the genuine good of its 7 billion people.

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2012

ONE YEAR ON - YOU ARE HERE

 

January 25^th. This day, one year ago, this date became a global symbol of a wave of change that reached out across from Arab nations, to the Eurozone, the Americas, Asia and places across the globe where once silent voices learnt to roar. January 25^th, the day Egyptians took to the streets, the day Tahrir Square became a physical and psychological home for millions seeking a future in their homeland, and the day the world’s cameras put the zoom lens on the seeds of global revolution.

One year on, and the power of the people is redefining the people in power, in political, economic and religious centres across the world, redefining where nations are going.

Defining ‘next’, however, begs the question: where are we now?

Changes are underway in nations that had their foundations shaken and shattered in 2011. Once again, Egypt provides a global window through which to view progress and potential of the region. As happened smoothly in Tunisia at the end of 2011, slowly, step by step, the political processes are unfolding, with Egyptians now standing up and stepping forward to make their mark on the new blueprint of the nation. Temperatures have risen, tempers have flared and tests to stability of the process have occurred. Still, slowly, slowly, the process moves forward.

If 2011 taught us anything, it is this: democracy demands participation, revolution demands patience, leadership demands faith, and revolution demands taking responsibility. These truisms cannot be left behind as part of last year’s learnings.

Why? Because the revolutions that occurred in 2011 were not the end, they were only the beginning. And, importantly, there is no guarantee of their outcomes.

The millions who took to the streets in Egypt year ago, swiftly and successfully overthrowing their well-entrenched ruler of over 30 years, now look to the future questioning what will become of their country should the democracy that they fought for vote in leaders that they did not put their ‘X’ beside. What will happen to freedoms of expression, participation, recreation and identity? What if moving forward ends up taking us back?

The same questions can be posed when looking across the globe at other locations of protest. What if the 1% step back and let the 99% take the reins? Are the 99% prepared to deal with the ‘what next?’ Are the Greeks prepared to start paying taxes? Are the Americans prepared to stop living off of credit card based wealth. Are watchful eyes observing illogical financial activity prepared to give their grey hair and gut feelings a voice?

Clearly, protesting is one thing. Participating is quite another.

Across the map, through 2012 , the path to reform, recovery and real stability is just starting to show its first footprints. With each step, careful consideration of consequences is critical. A new rhythm will be found, one that feels right. Especially if we all stand up and face the music.

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2012

'TIS THE SEASON REFIND FAITH

2011 has been a hard year.

Hard politically, economically, socially, environmentally.

This past year has tested our limits in addressing challenges, finding unique solutions to problems beyond fiction.

Most importantly, this past year has tested faith – faith in systems, structures and sensibilities.

And yet through it all, the world has continued to move forward, sparking confidence and belief in possibility even when rationalizing lack of probability.

Step by step, second by second, the world moves forward.

Because it has to.

Regardless of our ages, our ideologies, our beliefs, our battles past, and our war wounds, We need to believe in the possibility of moving forward.

It is like a child’s belief in Santa…

With big big eyes, an open heart and a look of that shows just how much faith is held within that child’s little body, a child approaches Santa knowing he is the one person who can be trusted, whispered to in strictest confidence, to listen to their greatest wishes, and make things right.

As beautifully captured by Jack Sanderson in the recently released documentary “Becoming Santa”, it’s all about the remarkable force of faith.

It is this force that turned 2011 into a year of making history through possibility, and will continue to keep us forward focused in 2012.

To believe is hard, but it is essential. And it is an immense blessing.

Besides, who says there’s no such thing as Santa Claus?

Happy 2012.

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2011

GLOBAL BONDING THROUGH REGIONAL CRISIS

As 2011 counts down to its final weeks, the spirit and momentum of events of the first days of the new year continue to hold the Arab world, and world at large, in its grip. 'Arab Spring', a flowing stream of revolution and reform that has been spreading across North Africa and the Middle East throughout 2011, has proven to have profound ripple effects across the globe.

2011 has been a year of global reawakening, reshaping and reconnecting. No longer are events in one part of the world simply short-term news headlines, pushed aside with short-term memory. Now, with each new story, a new question of "what does this mean here, for me?" emerges.

Interestingly, with the region's social, political and economic structures breaking apart, a bonding has been occurring. Collective conscience has transcended borders, cultures, religions and political ideologies. One by one, as nationals have courageously stood forward to create essential change in their countries, they have found the people of the world standing beside them.

Just days ago at WTM 2011, one of the world's largest coming together to global tourism leaders, policy makers, captains of industry, media and members of government, a special UNWTO seminar was held to put a spotlight on "The Future of Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa". The MENA region, heavily dependent on the tourism industry for employment, earnings, investment, trade and unity, felt the heaviest rain showers of the Arab Spring. With global travellers uncertain of the safety and stability of regional tourism destinations experiencing political overthrow, visitation to leading regional destinations Egypt and Tunisia plummeted (offering, interestingly, destinations such as Greece, Turkey and the GCC states a surprise injection of travellers re-routing their plans). As the Arab Spring moved through the MENA region's summer and autumn seasons, tourist confidence strengthened, strengthening visitor arrivals. Still, as winter approaches, the year's stats will show a deep chill, with leading regional destinations Egypt and Tunisia expecting year on year declines of 25% - 30%.

Acutely aware of the need to rebuild regional tourism, urgently and collectively, the UNWTO brought together a panel of regional champions of tourism from both the public and private sector, including HE Mr Mounir Fakhry Abdel-Nour, Minister of Tourism of EGYPT and HE Mr Mehdi Houas, Minister of Tourism of TUNISIA, JORDAN’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, HE Nayef Al Fayez, and senior leadership of Jumeirah Group Dubai, Etihad Airways and Thomas Cook.

While each voice conveyed a different story of the effects of regional uprisings, one thing was clear: together they are united in a shared commitment to see the region's tourism sector emerge stronger, safer, and more competitive on the global travel stage than ever before.

Traditional rival destinations have become bonded by crisis. Learnings are being shared, partnerships are being forged, issues are being collectively lobbied, and opportunities are being unlocked. Together, spirit is being restored, confidence rebuilt and possibility turned to probability. Recovery is underway.

To see, and feel, this firmness of spirit is not just inspiring, it is empowering. And it is a reminder of the gift that crisis can offer.

As shared by Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO, emerging from crisis "is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning how to dance in the rain."

How remarkable it is to pause while dancing to see who is dancing alongside, sharing their umbrella.


Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2011

iLOSS

At one single moment on October 05th, 2011, the overwhelming power of connectivity our lives today came to life.
Why?
Because someone’s life had come to an end. Steve Jobs.

Without any boundaries – time zones, languages, media – word spread. And for some, tears were shed.
Our world had lost one of its greatest minds, a man who, as aptly stated by President Barack Obama: “was brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”

For the first time in decades, the stopping of one heart caused heartache across a global community billions strong. Regardless of age, culture, location, qualification, corporation or socialisation, voices were expressing sadness at the passing of a man being described as an icon, a visionary, a modern day Edison, Bell, da Vinci.

He was a man who was able to do absolutely anything he put his mind and energies to. But he was not able to stay alive.

As the days and hours have slowly passed since his passing, one of the remarkable truisms that Steve Jobs has revealed, yet again, just what the people of the world need. He was a master at this, and even in his absence, he continues to do so.

With all of the technology we have in our loves – the iPods, iPads, iPhones, iTunes, iChat, iLife and of course the world of Mac – all of the things that keep us tech-connected to one another, what people the world over have needed at this time of sorrow has been pure, unwired, unedited and unashamed, un-grown up connection of emotion.

Through his work, be it Apple, Pixar or any of the other ventures that shaped his passion and profession, Steve Jobs did what few other great creators have been able to do. Technical expertise he had, in abundance, as have other great inventors. But within Apple’s clever codes and creative genius was the ability to not only unlock the mind of the user...but the heart, allowing the inner child to play, freely, openly, and proudly.

Only one other globally celebrated, grown-up creators has ever been able to do that: Walt Disney.

And like the late master of animation, Steve Jobs remained focused on one ever-important truth: "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."

The awe-inspiring technology will continue to be created, the legacy of Apple's founder and father will live on. But the inner child in Apple users - young and old, big and small, tech-savvy and simply appreciative of the basics, will, sadly, remain hurting.

The place, and face, of inspiration has gone to the clouds.





Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2011

GETTING THROUGH

For anyone who has ever suffered the loss of a loved one, the days building up to the day of remembrance are days building up to a crescendo of heartache. Breathing becomes heavier, thoughts slower, memories sharper. September 11th, 2011, ten years after those frozen moments in time that reshaped the world forever, is just a few days away. One never 'gets over it' - at best one hopes to get through it, dragging one's heart close behind, looking forward at the future with new eyes.

9-11. So much must never be forgotten.

SEEING, AND FEELING, OUR CHANGING WORLD

Over the past week, the world has been gripped by events in Libya. Following months of battle and determination, on both the parts of the defiant regime of Colonel Gadhafi and the rebels, the battle reached a dramatic climax: Tripoli began to fall to the rebels. The night's sky, previously lit for months by gunfire from armed and ambitious battle, turned to a showering of gunfire sparks in celebration of the rebel's breakthrough into Colonel Gadhafi's compound, itself a symbol of the leader's fortress of control over the people of Libya. While total take-over continues, the cracks are widening, weakening the foundations once embedded by Moammar Gadhafi.

During the moments of initial triumph, the images were remarkable, the soundbytes intense, and the coverage clear in the sense of euphoria easily digestible by the minds of the millions watching on-line and on-air all over the world. Though the former leader of this oil-rich, liberty-poor nation remains in hiding, the US$ 1.4million bounty put forward by a Libyan businessman is hoped to fuel the search and capture of Libya's falling leader. Time will tell.

As the story unfolded, it was impossible for global audiences not to feel a sense of 'deja vu'. Once again, audiences were given a front seat in the making of history. The Arab Spring, now stretching wider and deeper into the North Africa and Middle East region, brought the story of our changing world to us wherever in the world we were. The expectation is of similar stories and soundbytes occurring elsewhere in the region as the spirit and determination of revolution spreads. Our minds are ready - we see it, we understand it, we move onto the next story.

Sadly, as familiarity increases, feeling decreases.

And then something happens that reawakens our senses, squeezing our hearts and minds in with a clench of panic and concern. RIXOS Hotel.

While Tripoli was falling to the rebels, and the people of Libya were taking to the streets to celebrate the toppling of their heavy-handed, decades-long leader, 30 international news journalists were taking cover inside the Rixos Hotel. Being held against their will and under constant fear for their safety, news gatherers suddenly became the news story. For five horrific days, Gadhafi loyalist gunmen aggressively prevented news teams from leaving the hotel, leaving those being held in a constant state of fear.

Watching the story unfold, even for audiences, images turned into feelings of intense fear and concern - this was reality TV in a whole, new, frightening new light. The characters were not strangers. These captives were people who millions of people welcome into their homes, offices and social spaces every day, easily recognisable and immediately feared for. These people, these familiar news faces, were now 'insiders' in the line of fire. These moments of crisis were real.

Adding a remarkable realness to the unfolding situation, was social media. Twitter in particular - became a source of not only communication of events within the hotel, but also a monitor of the strained nerves and hearts of those being held captive. CNN's Matthew Chance @mchancecnn, a seasoned international journalist who has represented CNN across the globe, held onto a thread of connection with the outside world through his periodic tweets. Information updates rapidly turned to emotional expression of the nightmare unfolding. Reading his short messages, a rawness of danger seeped through his words, turning learning what was happening into feeling what was inescapable. And it felt horrific. Here is Matthew's BACKSTORY of those days of dread: http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/08/24/bs.chance.freed.roxis.cnn?hpt=hp_c2

Thankfully, the journalists and their crews were released on August 24th. While they have been freed, the darkness of those days will always hold a part of their minds captive.

To the outside world, these brave individuals unlocked not just the inside story, but a part of all of our watching the world minds and hearts, ensuring that news is never simply watched. It must also be felt.

As our world changes, so too is how we watch the world. When making sense of it all, our eyes and ears serve us most when acting as a channel to not just our minds, but our hearts. Our ability to understand the world starts with seeing. It is exponentially magnified, and appreciated, with feeling.




Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2011