Brahma Kumaris Participation in Common Market
for Eastern and Southern Africa
(COMESA)
A New Tack for a New Leadership Program
Ministers
and senior government officials from 18 countries kicked off the first
ever COMESA Strategic Leadership Program meeting in Zambia, November
26-27, 2002, with a motivational presentation led by Brahma Kumaris
(BKs) from the Nairobi, Kenya branch of that worldwide organization.
This Council of Ministers leadership is directly responsible for articulating
and implementing COMESA programs in all member countries. COMESA aims
to transform the region from a constellation of distinct countries into
a single social and economic space.
There
to focus on their role as prime movers of the regional integration agenda
in Eastern and Southern Africa, the roughly 50 policy makers opted first
to find their own more spiritual focus. With change as an overarching
concern, BK-facilitated activities concentrated on removing interpersonal
barriers between officials, so as to permit more effective networking.
The BK presentation zeroed in on the possibilities of harnessing the
real power of global change instead of merely living with it.
Uplifting,
was the response of many to this kind of mental and physical loosening
up in an informal, relaxed environment, removed from the direct stress
of national issues. The motivational speaking not only helped to break
the ice but also had a ripple effect on the productivity of ensuing
discussions. Requested follow-up for this program will be BK Positive
Thinking courses for the staff of the COMESA Secretariat.
BKs also
participated in the official opening of the meeting with H.E. Mr. Levy
Patrick Mwanawasa, President of the Republic of Zambia, who later gave
the keynote address.
—
Pratibha Patel, Nairobi, Kenya, email bkwsugm@holidaybazaar.com
