The last king of Scotland

Last week a friend of mine said as we were coming back from lunch near by our office in Rotterdam: “Africans don’t understand sarcasm; you can say the worse things about them, they will still smile, they just don’t get hit by the broken arrow!” This might appear as a prejudice that Africans do not know what subtlety is, which in turn might be a sign of no or less intelligence. But the literal statement is actually true. But it covers a reality far greater than what my colleague sensed.

Last week in Cairo, with a group of young people and other colleagues, we went for a movie in one of the fanciest places in the city, Stars city. The movie that was displayed was the last king of Scotland, featuring Idi Amin Dada in a grotesque but inhumanly bestial and violent movie.

Almost the only black and proud African in the movie room, I could imagine what was going on in peoples’ minds as the scenes where passing on, negating all basic universal values: love, science, honestly, friendship, equality, human dignity to the benefit of a ridiculous understanding of leadership.

At the end of the movie, I was so shocked that my friends felt the need to comfort me, though they couldn’t clearly understand the reason for my emotion. I am grateful for the sincere support they gave me, but as I analyzed my feeling, I realized it was a mix of rage, frustration but deep hope:

ü Rage for the undisclosed information: When it comes to Africa, only misfortunes sell. How many people will know that Idi Amin Dada had almost no education and could barely read? How many people would know that he was put in command of the Uganda by the colonial power knowing very well how cruel he could be? That he was previously arrested for Barbary when serving as a sergeant to repress the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya? That he was exempted from a well deserved trial by the colonial power and appointed leader of the army and then head of State just to prevent the communists from taking over the country?

ü Frustration for the unperceived sunshine that filtered through the movie: scenes of rare beauty and authenticity appear throughout the movie, but how many people have prepared eyes to see them? The trust and confidence given by the whole population at the beginning, the smiles and games of kids in the sun, the happiness of people dancing and singing in the streets? Everyone who has traveled across African villages knows what I’m talking about. My colleague is right, African don’t understand sarcasm, they are those pure people that daydream everyone is good intended and lovely. This is a root of the leadership and governance problems Africa has. People are happy with their life and finds reasons to even love those who destroy them. Murder hundreds of people, do good to two people, you can still be a good leader in Africa. There are dozens of Amin Dada ruling Africa today as “democratically” elected Heads of State.

ü And finally hope for the unachieved future: this was the most overwhelming feeling. I don’t really care about the image people have of Africa, though I find it revolting to see people put their “We are the World” face when approaching Africa. I don’t care if people live their entire life with a rational steering wheel and discover late that their emotional steering wheel is what brings meaning and purpose. Africans live this all their life, but tend to forget to beauty that lies in them. I do care about how responsible Africans feel about their responsibility towards the world. How many of them will watch the last king of Scotland, feel enraged, frustrated, not engaged? Very few. How many people will go to their work in the morning thinking that they are not teacher, doctor, policeman, businessman, writer, student, but engaged in building Africa and the world at large? How many people will feel responsible for what happens in Beyrouth or Bogota? Being African is about rediscovering the forgotten purpose and bringing it forth to enlighten the world.

The message of the king of Scotland is for me a message of hope and a call for engagement. Africans need to rediscover the kingdom in their hearts and invite the world to see it.

Zimbabwe: Inch Allah is not enough!

Living in a ghost city. That’s what you can experience in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. Affected by the air of nostalgic and visible relents of a recent glorious past, you will still be struck by an astonishingly beautiful city, but everywhere you turn, you can feel an expectation, as if life slowed down to resume one fine day, Inch Allah! Embassies have decreased in staff and luster, multinationals have fled out of the country when It all started.

1999. The beginning of the (end?) biggest leadership fuck-up in recent African history. The then 74 years old chief commander of the army forces, the police, the judiciary corps, chancellor of all universities, first sportsman, ruling party leader and head of state, facing an unexpected opposition decided to start a economic reform that meant nothing else than expropriating the main actors of Zimbabwe agriculture and key contributors of the economy. The reason invoked was a better social fairness and equality, but it was implemented as a massive and organized xenophobic movement that resulted in key segments of the economy being destroyed.

Facing criticism from the international community, dear bobby (nickname of the president) fought back by launching an anti-imperialist ideological movement targeting western European countries. As expected, the new land and business owners, merely illiterate and trained could not sustain the production, causing an economic collapse of a flourishing country.

All macro indicators went red. Inflation soared up to 1000%, beating the world record in peace time; legions of companies, investors and Zimbabweans fled abroad. The main sources of income abruptly dried up: once second world producer of tobacco, the country saw its production drastically drop. Tourism, the second income generating industry dropped from 3 millions to only 300,000 per year. Water supply became erratic. Unemployment exploded to 75%. For a total population of 12 millions sadza (national staple food) eaters, Zimbabwe has a Diaspora evaluated at 5 millions. Every year thousands of students fly abroad, legally or illegally.

Education had to suffer from massive cutbacks, jeopardizing the future of the nation. In the main university, 15000 students share an internet lab of 20 PC. Following some estimates, out of 2000 students going to study in South Africa, only 100 come back. HIV AIDS stroke mercilessly, affecting 17% of the population and 39% of the active population.

But the leader’s anti-imperialist propaganda goes on TV, where all evening programs are interrupted for short videos of the leader appealing the nation to unite against western imperialism are broadcasted. The population has no option be to accept it. Elections usually have more votes counted than voters. Within the ruling party, no free discussion is authorized. Last year the 83 years old president said people were free to think about succession scenarios. Six governors and several other party officials called a meeting to reflect on the future of the party. They were all sacked by the same head of state.

Where will change happen? Disillusioned, the youths apparently loose everyday their willingness and capacity to bring in a change. The former National President AIESEC in Zimbabwe decided not to organize elections to remain at a position he could not assume for availability and competence reasons. He refused to abide by basic knowledge management rules, too happy to be called “the database of AIESEC”. Whatever members or executives wanted has to pass through him. I’ve met a member who could not go to an internship in India, fully paid by the World Bank, because the almighty MCP was not available to sign his acceptance note. I.T items and funds transferred by AIESEC International or donated by local partners are reported missing. Apparently students are frequently accused of such practices, and ethical behavior is not common place within the youth.

Zimbabwean citizens feel their country is being held hostage, and eagerly expect 2010’s elections hoping the current head of state will not run for another mandate that will give him more than 30 years of presidency. A very prominent bishop in Harare even prays repeatedly, every Sunday, for the president to pass away. Everybody knows the story, including the president, who once replied publicly “Praying for my death is of no use, only God decides!”

Inch Allah! That’s the answer. As someone put it, everything depends on God! No use to go and vote. God is the only and true voter. He only will one day relieve the country from the tyrant. For AIESEC in Zimbabwe, Inch Allah was just not enough, as a new generation of leaders rose and took over the management of the country, persuaded it is in hard times that true leadership arises, as the Rockefellers, Ford and others have proven. Conscious of the crucial role they have to play in Zimbabwe, they created a long term plan to enable quality and quantity leadership generation in the country.

They are called Paul, Jalasi, Munya and Tatenda.
Inch Allah is not enough. It is up to you.
Just make it happen, guys!

Making more possible

What makes AIESEC unique? What actually brings together all the talents who join AIESEC every year? Is is a vision we share? Is it the leverage we want to create in communities through individuals? Traveling trough extremely different countries and meeting thousands of new people, cultures, nationalities, languages, environments, mindsets and attitudes arose in my mind a couple of questions about our vision, values and actions now and after AIESEC.

The first answer to my first question is Talent. Wherever I went to, the people I met were extremely brilliant. That capacity to stand out enriched every single discussion with LCPs in Ghana, trainees in Joss, alumni in Lome or Project director. It appeared as a common point about the people I have met. How does AIESEC contribute to satisfy the members’ need for intellectual growth? Our global community of learning is undoubtedly the best input provider for the genius of AIESECers to spring. The discussions that happen within the organization generally reach non AIESEC students with two years delay, if not more. On the praxis side, managerial and leadership skills AIESECers built for themselves lack almost all others students because the training they receive in school is more theoretical.

The second answer to my question is Ambition. That desire to role model in the society gives the eyes a shine when people listen about leaders stories in Ouagadougou, in Lome, in Lagos, in Accra or everywhere in the world. The harder the environment the deeper the connections to the ambitious goal people pursue. Is it due to survival instinct? Certainly not, but I believe in every individual lays a will to reach a higher level of himself. It’s all matter of fixing the bar. AIESECers I met certainly have a higher bar, that’s why they afford the frustrations, and sacrifices AIESEC requires in all parts of the world.

The third answer is values and attitudes. Striving for excellence, demonstrating integrity, living diversity, enjoying participation, acting sustainably and activating leadership are the corner stone of the organizational culture, and contribute to shape the personality of the members. But how much of an impact does this have on the inner personality? Values are the results of a long maturation process that started in the family, society, and all influences people have had before joining AIESEC. Can a 3 to 5 years connection reach the subconscious and turn those values into a steering wheel that shall govern the individual throughout his life? In my trip with people that knew nothing about AIESEC, but lived in a strict family and values driven society, I could recognize the best expression of our values.

You think about living diversity? Go to Ouagadougou and see what social enclosure means. You think about enjoying participation, go to Cocody in Cote d’Ivoire, or Joss in Nigeria. You wonder about integrity and purity? Fly to Lome in Togo, you will come back challenged. Nowhere else have I seen that confidence in the future, that dedication to keep from the temptations of the present in terms of respecting an ethical line, feeling deeply remorseful after committing ill behaviors, committing to repair the wrong. AIESEC contribution here comes most from the diversity of the perspectives that come together and challenge peoples’ ethical line.
Boost Talent. Grow Ambition. Instill Values. But is AIESEC a place where young people actually rise to greatness? Is AIESEC really the place where young people are empowered to make a positive impact? From the empiric analysis of people intensively living their AIESEC experience and the ones I met during my country visits with a limited knowledge and connection with the organization, I’m convinced skills, attitudes and corporate values is not enough.

The meaning of the positive impact we want to create in the world lies in our ability to create for ourselves a steering wheel that will shape our actions all our life. Skills, attitudes and values are just giving the weapon we could use to create impact, but where is the enlightenment that defines positivity? How can we expect to one day make a positive impact in our communities when in the organization some chapters have reserves that exceed the legal minimums while other chapters starve because they want to create a better world?

I have seen MC members quitting their families to live like beggars to deliver on their duties. One daily meal on a good day, no medical insurance, no money to print a proposal or catch a taxi to drop it, twenty people sharing a computer that takes five minutes to start up, the list is not exhaustive. In AIESEC International team 06-07, we believe everyday starts today: the positive impact we want to create in the society starts today, inside this global organization that nurtures change agents.

We enter an era of spiritual enlightenment, should AIESEC keep it’s ability to bring any positive change, a shift has to happen, a shift that is not written in our current structures and processes, but in the heart of every leader of this organization. Spirituality is defined today as Love in action. Not the love for the person you know and see (interpersonal love), but love with no object, love for the far, unknown, different, abstract individual that lives in a different universe. Love for every individual we meet in the street because we do not see him as an individual but the unlimited possibilities he contains.

Human means possibilities, capacity to achieve and become everything. That’s where the beauty of each individual lies. In every of us lies a Gandhi, Nelson Mandela or Hitler. We have less power to transform ourselves that to uplift the others. One word, smile or caring gesture can either inhibit or boost the spectrum of possibilities one possesses. I imagine an organization that will give to the world people that are not just perfect-ethical-effective robots, but lights to their communities, inspiration for everyone they meet because they live Love and give Love. Because they have inside themselves the steering wheel that makes the difference everyday.

It takes time and efforts to identify one’s way to give love; it takes even more strength to achieve consistency. The first smile or gesture realizes us and sets on the virtuous track because our existence defines our essence. The love you have in your heart enlightens your face and makes you a glowing leader. Great leaders do not persuade, they glow. I’ll explain the concept of glowing leadership in my next blog posting.

Johannesburg, city of contrasts

Sawubona!

Welcome again to my space!

I'm mailing you from the most colored city of the world, Johannesburg! I arrived here one week ago to prepare the ground for the best conference ever held in Africa, and I literally felt in love with this city and his people. Living in Johannesburg is just like touring the world everyday, as you feel like riding through New York, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Douala at the same time!

My country visit started with a huge shock, as I thought AIESEC in SA heavily indebted but I found a five stars MC! When you enter the MC house, you see an all furnished flat with white marble everywhere, a splendid garden, a luxurious brand new Toyota AVENSIS like only UN officials have! The MC has three employees taking care of the garden every month, as well as all modern facilities you don’t expect to see in Africa!

South Africa is a country of contrast. On the same Saturday I arrived, the whole MC was invited in a member’s family for a Sunday lunch, so we had to sleep there one night. Before going there, I was told our host is a Christian family, but I had no clue how Christian the family was! I found myself the next morning entering, for the first time after ages, the church of the community! The AIESEC member who invited us is the talented LCP of Johannesburg, and belongs to the upper middle class of colored people in SA. The family is apparently a pivotal member of the community, this explaining why we got a first class reception when we entered the sanctuary.

The pastor had our names, nationalities, and seized e-ve-ry opportunity to mention them, either to warmly welcome us, or to spice up his homely. The peak was reached when, certainly inspired by our God Boys’ style, he invited us in front of the church to sing a song! God forgive me if I lie, but among the five MC members and me, no one knew a song! I could see the sorrow in our brave LCP face, but we can only give what we have, and there, we were stuck! Not one, not two, but ten long minutes, trying to convince this great audience we are a positive values-driven generation! We were pathetic!

At the end of the service, and probably to make sure our souls can still be saved, we were invited for a special service at Christmas, and the Pastor himself drove us back to the MC house, which is more than an hour ride away. Guess what we discussed in the car? The Bible of course! But we all enjoyed it!

I told you South Africa is a country of contrasts. The next day, we went to Johannesburg to apply for a visa to Botswana, which I was not granted because it is processed in 10 to 14 days! Working in Joburg streets I noticed another thing about SA. In normal cities you are approached in the street by people giving out leaflets presenting cultural events, training opportunities, political programmes during elections, and so on. This simple fact says a lot about the psychology of the population, by the simple law of supply and demand: if there is a booming offer that means there is a demand, you follow hmm?

Ok, in Johannesburg’s popular streets people don’t market cultural events, but penis enlargement herbs! On a 100 meters’ distance, not less than seven different leaflets were given to us, promoting different products from different traditional doctors! South Africans take very seriously “little problems”, so if by chance you plan to increase your ambition, come over! Women also have programs to reduce their perspective, just ask!

I love this country! What else am I going to find in the remaining days I have to spend here? Only God knows! Anyway, next Sunday I’m going to church again!

Nigeria: Always unique

Whoever survives in Nigeria can survive anywhere in the world! My trip to Nigeria started very well, but later on allowed me to live the most difficult experience of my life. My hands where still shaking when I wrote this notes down in my personal agenda. I arrived to Abidjan international airport on October 22 to have the pleasure to see I was traveling first class (thanks you Simone, you are the best travel agent of the world:). I checked -in quickly enough to enjoy the comfort of the VIP lounge.

The Bellview plane took off at 7:10 for a supposed 2 hours flight. At that point of time, I was not informed the company was celebrating the sad anniversary of its last crash. I started a smooth flight thanks to a fairly good service, a smiling crew for the 9 people in the first class area, among which four Europeans, the only on the plane.

The first part of the trip when on smoothly until our unique stop over, Accra; we then headed for Lagos. Comfortably seated, I was relaxing, setting goals for my visit and visualizing the key moments of a visit that received a particular attention during my preparation. Partly because I always loved the country, even before joining AIESEC, but also because I knew the country was having problems as big as its potential.

I was half asleep when I was awaken by a sudden and loud shout, and realized the plane was shaking dangerously, bending from one side to the other, all distress lights on! In normal planes, perturbations last for three to five minutes, and passengers remain quite quiet, but it was totally different because Nigerians apparently live with the phobia of a plane crash. In a country having about four major plane crashes each year, it’s understandable. Last year after a crash the President publicly criticized the administration for systematically embezzling the funds allocated to air safety. One air France pilot had the trauma of his life when landing on Lagos International airport pist he found his plane face to face with cows!

In the plane that night, all passengers, except me and the four Europeans, were frantically shouting, praying all their Gods, in all possible languages. For the next 20 minutes, the plane went on loosing altitude, and each time it moved abruptly, people shouted louder, some begging “Jesus to control of the plane”. No crew member available, no communication with the passengers. I said to myself, amidst the chaos, that’s it. The moment of truth has come, Habib, get ready. Good joke. I then realized shit there is no way to get ready to Die!

I’ve had so many reflective moments in and outside AIESEC conferences, when I’ve figured myself on the verge of Death to better draft my legacy. On that plane, at that minute, I realized at that all the exercises I had done were all ridiculous! This was real life and reaaaaaaaal Death as well! Only two pictures were present in my mind: the picture of the past, and the picture of the near future. On the first picture, I could see my childhood, my AI team I cherished, the other people I’ve met within AIESEC, some I possibly wronged unwillingly, and others I loved without expressing my affection. It’s strange, how all the things I valued lost their importance in that moment: I was not thinking about my professional achievements, my degrees, my successes in AIESEC, all these were worthless. I was naked before the face of Death.

On the picture of the future, I had only one thought, the fear of suffering physically in the crash.

As sudden as it all started, things went down for about ten minutes. During that break, I said to myself Habib, you such a freak! After all the flights you have done, you shouldn’t be this scared! But compared to the other passengers, I was quite stoic.

When the plane started its mortal dance again, the passengers lost all control, men frantically hitting the floor with the legs, women bursting into tears. I caught myself thinking if I ever escape this, I would spend the rest of my life selling groundnuts in a scrappy Nigerian city out of nowhere, just to make sure I’m not leaving the beloved ground anymore, until the day I peacefully go 6 feet under!

For 25 minutes, the plane kept loosing altitude and bending from one side to another, but miraculously regaining its previous position. The confusion was at its peak in the plane; I looked at my watch. We were supposed to be in Lagos 35 minutes ago but there was no Lagos in view. During that second period, I had only one thought, the things I didn’t do as I was saying to myself: Not Now: I was concerned about the 12 countries I still had to visit, the issues AI would have to replace me.

When the tires of the plane touched the ground, the passengers, ignoring the warnings of the crew, sprang out of their seats and joined their hands in a group prayer. I went out of the arrival corridor to realize no one was waiting for me at the airport, despite the fact I sent my arrival details to the MC about one month before. But I that very moment, I didn’t care having people to pick me up; I was happy to be there, alive, and ready to get back to the fulfilling job of mine.

During the 12 days of my visit, I’ve been through everything: I’ve traveled 28 hours by road to chair the national conference, I have been a first hand witness of a crisis that resulted on the firing of the whole MC team by the LCs, have been packed at the back of an ancient bike in the heart of Lagos, going to a meeting with a CEO of a company making 1, 2 billion dollars turnover, ate Eba and Egusi soup, I have had stomach aches for 48 hours, etc.

On November 29th a Boeing 737 took off against the instructions of the tour diagnosing dangerous weather conditions; God is taking care of my plane, the pilot objected before taking off. The plane crashed after flying only 4 km, killing 96 innocents. I was then advised by some multinational companies I meet while in Lagos to fly only Virgin or Aero contractors.

Nigeria is the country I know better among the ones I’m visiting; still I was not expecting such an emotive visit. The encounter with Nigeria will definitely remain one of the moments I'll cherish all my life; such talented and bright minds getting along with crap and mediocrity was thrilling.

I've seen delegates showing up to the morning plenary with more than two hour late, but working eight hours in a row without eating or even drinking a glass of water! I've seen people attending sessions until 11 pm without complaining! Waking up to realize there's no water for a bath, no breakfast ready but still go for the morning plenary with a broad smile.

On personal level, I certainly learn a lot on how to build a supportive environment and help others feel comfortable and energized.

As I leave Nigeria, I can’t help thinking about the key lesson I learnt here: Love is all that matters, the rest is vain. If you read these lines, you are lucky. Cherish this moment and make something of every minute of your life. Identify your way to give and receive love. Mine is a total dedication to each and every AIESEC country I visit.

47 degrees' leadership : Dakar

Welcome to the country where young people develop their potential to make a difference under 47 degrees! For AIESEC to provide leadership here, the @ XP delivered has to be the ultimate one:) Unfortunately such an experience has not yet been designed.

Dakar looks like a grown up city, a city that actually grew so fast that the population couldn't follow. Strangers here can't help feeling that citizen woke up one morning surrounded by massive building and roads. How to explain those fancy households left empty as soon as the night comes? Heat? not necessarily. Even in rich neighborhoods inhabitants, which i believe healthy enough to buy splits, will sleep on the floor outside their houses.

In some quarters, the lifestyle has remained pretty much unchanged. This is probably the only city where a civil servant can wake up in the morning, run to the nearby shop to have some toothpaste poured directly on his brush (2 cents), come back to the same shop entirely dressed up to get two perfume sprays under each arm (one "psch" cost about one cent), before heading for the office!

Stars here are "marabouts", those traditional spiritual leaders ruling the country. How do they get so rich and powerful? the recipe is simple: get the title from your parents, all the people that are under your mystical protection will give you a fixed part of their revenue all their life long. The most talented gurus will grant first class entry tickets to heavens to an army of young people, and those lucky dudes will spent their entire lifes begging in the streets to pay those tickets back. Equipped with kinda high-tech loud speakers, they sail through streets and life asking for cents to meet their daily quota.

Worshiped like pop stars, marabouts are the biggest political force in the country, no government is formed without their approval; they can also turn themselves into benefactors, by making loans for the community to initiate micro projects. Little is said about the profit sharing models, but the rule of return of investment is well-known here.

In a society where the unemployment rate is dramatic (48% in urban areas and 40% in rural ones) and the literacy rate low (52%), I paradoxically found the biggest commitment to AIESEC. Because of succession planning problems, AIESEC Senegal has not been in a position to deliver @ experiences at all, but the level of enthusiasm towards AIESEC has to do with Faith. Some don't know why they are in AIESEC, or what they will gain out if it, still they firmly believe AIESEC will do wonders for their life, and for the country as well.

What will happen when they 'll be empowered with sound knowledge, values, attitudes and skills? They'll just be unstoppable.

I'm so excited! And there's no way I can hide it in this sauna:)

Chronicles of the dark continent

I’ve been there
I’ve seen the dark side of blackness
Afraid of their shadow, the fix the sun
I came back from applying for an entry visa to Senegal

Just wanted to see Gore Island
To see the dark side of humanity
But I found it here in Brussels

Just wanted to go to Senegal
Train the youth in the country
Bring another perspective to their problem
Role model leadership, excellence, ethics, sustainability, diversity, humanity

I came back from the embassy
Tears in my eyes
Pain in my soul
How can light and darkness accommodate each other?

How can I everyday
Be love and inspiration
Believer in this continent
Defender of its interests
Promoter of its image in front of 95 countries
Embodiment its pride

When I suffer from such grievous attacks from my people?
When everything in my own camp is stopping me from bringing, from giving hope?
When people seem so satisfied with the horror they live?
When the pride is about hiding the hideous face?
When universal values are looked down upon?

Learning from others successes
Benchmarking against their achievements
Understanding our failures
Working it out
Good for others, not for Africans?

I have seen the dark side of blackness
Afraid of their shadow, they fix the sun
Visual and cortical irradiation
Blind to our failures
Unaware of our weaknesses
Considering ourselves equals to the bold and successful
While the mess goes spreading
And the gap expanding

Wanna scream!
Wanna shout!
Wanna say enough!
When shall we start building
Together as One

When shall we stop pretending our sun is shining we darken it everyday
When shall we stop spending 4 months to obtain a passport?
When shall we stop asking Africans for an entry visa
When we know there’s a desperate need for builders
When we now change starts with the new perspective
When we know giant nations were built by immigrants

Why will the cursed continent be afraid of itself?
Blackmailing, black money, dark angel, dark side, dark activities
Is black synonymous of evil?
Terrorism, money washing, drug dealing, international criminality exist
No means to prevent it, but is closing the borders the solution

Where is the threat coming from?
Definitely not from Africa
Africans never lead
Never decide
They caution, they accept, they positive, they rejoice

That’s the dark side of blackness
Because they fear of their own shadow, they fix the sun
Recognition of the problem is the first step to its solution
But it is the trickiest step Africa has to make

I’ve been there
I’ve been enlightened by the dark
I can better see the sunbeam in the new generation of Africans
Giving up is not in our genes
Unstoppable we are
Ready we are