hori zons

AG LEADERSHIP >> International Travel Seminar
AG LEADERSHIP >> International Travel Seminar
PERSPECTIVE
PAGE >> 8
INTOLERANCE, TOLERANCE
AND RESILIENCY
Unfortunately, war is a significant part of the history of
the region we visited. Fellows had a close-up view of
cruel injustices, particularly at Auschwitz and Birkenau.
Says Laurence Rees, author of Auschwitz: The Nazis and
the ‘Final Solution’: “The name Auschwitz is quite rightly
a byword for horror. But the problem with thinking
about horror is that we naturally turn away from it. I
feel passionately that being horrified is not enough. We
need to make an attempt to understand how and why
such horrors happened if we are ever to be able to stop
them occurring again.” Fellows gained significant insight
regarding the how and why of the tragedy, while also
gaining a deep respect for the resiliency of people who
lived through the horror.
>>
RESOURCES AND
ECONOMIC POWER
Oil and natural gas resources that supply much of Europe are found in
remote areas of Russia. Russia, therefore, has the economic clout to
control the supply and pricing in all of Europe. In contrast, Ukraine has rich
agricultural resources. Dominance of this vast asset does not seem to impart
much economic or political influence in the region.
VIEWPOINT OF RICK BURNES
“As we moved west from Russia you could feel and observe each country
trying to grasp the notion of freedom. But the large looming shadow in the
background was energy. As we talked to officials in Ukraine, Poland and
the Czech Republic, we got the sense that the clock was ticking for them
to find their own energy independence and Russia was the timekeeper.
When all is said and done the common dominator for all countries (including
the United States) is the need for energy. And if you do not have your
own source of energy, or at least a strong negotiation chip, your days
of independence are numbered. For Russia, their abundant resources are
clearly their weapon for future growth and power.”
>> >> VIEWPOINT OF MATT TOSTE
VIEWPOINT OF JORGE SUAREZ
“Visiting the sites where more than 1.2 million
innocent men, women and children were
mercilessly massacred gave us an unvarnished
insight into evil. Words alone cannot describe
the barbarity of what these ordinary people
suffered. Without tombs, graves or even stones
as markers, the ghostly camps stand as stark
reminders of atrocities that humankind must
never forget. Let the world not submit to credos
and ideologies that undermine human dignity
based on mere differences in language, race,
color or religion.”
“To see the economic potential for the
region’s agriculture was exciting. However,
it was disappointing to see many obstacles
to the region’s full potential. The trip helped
many of us contrast different government
leaderships and see how they can affect
progress and change on many levels.”
This region has a rich history of law and governance. This includes
Magdeburg law, which dates back to the 13th century, in areas like
Krakow. Magdeburg laws were used as founding principles for British
law and some concepts worked their way into the U.S. Constitution. Even
with a depth of lawful experience, there seems to be a common thread
of corruption and disregard for law that runs through the countries we
visited. The fellows explored aspects of change and challenged the ideas
surrounding the evolution of political and social drift.
>>
>>
>>
VIEWPOINT OF ELISABETH SILVA
“Magdeburg law is important because it is the foundation by
which medieval independent city-states were linked by a common
set of governing principles. The city-states were important trading
centers, exempt from feudal laws. Together, they gave rise to a
new class of powerful merchants who controlled shipping and
commerce. These cities were answerable directly to the emperor,
not the underlying nobility. Commerce created opportunities for
upward mobility regardless of a person’s status at birth and it
linked social status and wealth. Somehow, the deeply ingrained
idea of hard work leading to civic and personal betterment
seems to have twisted as it evolved, allowing the public to
tolerate a great deal of personal enrichment by their leaders
– corruption – so long as the country is functional. Many of us
were shocked to hear from the locals, especially in Russia and
Ukraine, that ‘things weren’t so bad’ so long as their leaders kept
the electricity flowing, there was enough food to eat and there
was some visible progress toward a better life.”
VIEWPOINT OF DAN RODRIGUES
“The basis of law prior to the Soviet Union in these regions
was based on a set of laws that cultivated local law and
trade. During the Soviet Union rule, these countries were made
into a central form of government. This led to an increase of
cronyism and corruption through the Soviet era. These countries
are redeveloping leadership skills of self-rule that were long
forgotten.”
VIEWPOINT OF TODD SNIDER
“After a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, I was very
cynical (about the corruption). But then our next meeting was with
a group of well-educated students at the Economic University in
Kiev. It was there – in a rundown classroom – that it really clicked
for me. This younger generation has the education, and with the
Internet and social media, they have access to information. It truly
is up to them to take their country to the next level and to take the
initiative to change the political landscape.”
>>
>>
>>
SELFISH VS. SELFLESS LEADERS
Since the breakup of the Soviet Union and presumed fall
of communism, the region has changed significantly. As
leaders emerge to fill a power vacuum, much is learned
watching the different leader-types that step forward to
fill the void. Fellows observed retreads or old-style leaders,
with the appropriate connections, assuming leadership
roles. If only a selfless leader would emerge!
VIEWPOINT OF ALI ELHASSAN
“With freedom comes responsibility. There are many
opportunities here, but leaders have been more
concerned with what they can do to elevate their own
standing or enrich themselves. Where is their George
Washington?”
VIEWPOINT OF VERNON PETERSON
“During the seminars and travel of the second year, I
began to realize that all true leadership is built on a
foundation of trust, honesty and self sacrifice. Sure, one
needs to know how to communicate, have the courage
to devise and implement a plan and persuade others
to follow, but these are all meaningless and secondary
apart from this moral foundation. Traveling from Ukraine
to Poland, you could see the impact of an imperfect but
honest leader like Lech Walesa versus the charismatic
but corrupt leadership of Ukraine.”
VIEWPOINT OF JOEY MENDONCA
“Government corruption was a common sub-topic
among our guest speakers. Though many expressed
frustration, their hope for true change was mixed at
best. It made me ever more thankful for the selfless
leadership exemplified by our Founding Fathers. It is
foolish for me to think that a couple of presentations
over few days in any country gave me deep insight
into the issues of a people, but I found myself thinking,
‘Where are the selfless ones, leaders who are willing to
sacrifice themselves for their countrymen? Could I make
a difference here?’”
PAGE >> 9
Photos courtesy of Steven Knudsen.