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Response from Sunil Mittal

Mr. Sunil Mittal, Chairman and CEO of Bharti Group and Bharti Airtel, was kind enough to respond regarding the article on his father.
 
Whenever I visited Senator Mittal in India, I would also visit Sunil and his wife Nyna. They hosted me so graciously. I remember when Sunil accompanied his father at the Moscow Conference, hosted by President Gorbachev at the Kremlin. Senator Mittal made a memorable speech at the closing ceremony. Many eminent leaders at the Moscow Conference were impressed with young Sunil, recognizing in him the qualities of a diplomat and a leader. 

To me, Sunil is the model case of the remarkable generational transition from parent to child. I would like to commend him for the approach he has taken to his business practices and laud his outstanding success. Sunil has proven the advantages of a truly global vision—we must now encourage the next generation of emerging leaders to follow the example he has set. 

I am pleased to introduce his response here.
—

Dear Akio,

Thank you for forwarding me the beautifully written piece. I really enjoyed reading it and laughed at the piece on my father.

I am reminded of an event. Once a Japanese team of two engineers from Suzuki Motor Co. had come to impart training to my staff on portable generators. I per chance visited the workshop and stood in a corner when I noticed the team leader going over and over again on some point and I sensed the confusion amongst the trainer and trainee.… Continue reading

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“Sat Paul, Do you disagree with me?” Learning globally to act locally

Read in Japanese (日本語 )

by Akio Matsumura

The media coverage over the U.S. health care debate throughout the last month has been extraordinary.  Put aside your thoughts on the outcome—the coverage helped viewers become more familiar with U.S. politicians and the U.S. political process.  And many were left disappointed.  The deep rift that splits American politics invites bitterness and disappointment at all levels.
As I have had the pleasure of meeting with so many politicians, in and out of the U.S., in my thirty five years at the UN and other international organizations, I would like to share my perspective on the potential power of our elected leaders.   I think I can paint a more hopeful picture than the one we are witness to currently.

Politicians share a host of characteristics.  First, their sensitivity to and engagement of broad population groups is important.  It is why they are elected.  Second, they promote ideas and opinions with a success that other sectors struggle to match.  Their goals are threefold: to build consensus, foster action, and finally succeed with legislative implementation. Particularly impressive is their ability to transcend tough challenges—whether they are daily hurdles or national referendums.  Here, I find their dynamic spirit of sympathy to be invaluable.  Politicians can identify and sympathize with another person; bureaucrats find this very difficult.

My wife Maki and I had the great pleasure of welcoming so many political leaders to our small apartment in New York.  Through these visits and long-lasting friendships I have been fortunate to glean many insights from the political world.… Continue reading

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Young Business Leaders: The Missing Link in World Peace

 

By Rinaldo Brutoco, Founding President of the World Business Academy

Youth have a unique ability to serve as peacekeepers between Muslim and Western communities, but the missing link among youth has been their recognition of the possibility of creating an improved human condition for both Muslim and Western nations through increased commerce. Young people have the energy and the drive for entrepreneurial engagement, so it is likely they will be the most effective peacekeepers through commerce.

Young people also have far more to gain from peace than their elders do, and far more to lose from war. Totally apart from the fact that youth constitute a disproportionate number of the casualties of war, war is not good for any youth, ever.

The youth caught up in the Israeli-Palestine conflict can see that if the conflict continues on its present course, they will be caught in a grim lifetime of grinding poverty stretching decades into the future. Young people can see that their lives will be better in peace than war. Peace provides the opportunity for commerce. Without peace, a community cannot create meaningful jobs; young people cannot easily nurture their new families; and the grinding cycle of poverty rolls on infinitely into the future.

Violence has taken a toll on both the Palestinian and Israeli economies, but the contrast between the economies of the West Bank and Gaza highlights the opportunities for economic development that come with an improved security situation.

The West Bank’s economy is improving, thanks to Prime Minister Sala Fayyad, an American-educated reformer; a clamp-down by Palestinian security forces that prompted Israel to remove many of the checkpoints that had cut off movement and trade; and the Obama Administration’s more effective, highly targeted, quiet diplomacy.… Continue reading

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Global Hip Hop: Music for Expression

Hip hop is music that has been around in the US for 40 years, but is taking on new shapes and forms as it sprouts in different regions of the world. Check these out: hip hop for freedom of expression and even a way to fight extremism by spreading positive messages to youth.

African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal

 

  • I Love Hip Hop in Morocco: I spoke on the telephone with Josh Ashen, the creator of I Love Hip Hop in Morocco almost 3 years ago while I was planning my own trip to research music/social movements in Morocco.  I saw this film at a festival in NY and was hooked.  Check it out.

The bottom line of these videos is that music is an incredible way to spread culture, religion, and political messages, either within a group of people, or beyond, to a new group.  Hip Hop is a growing global form of communication.   Go check out Hip Hop for Social Change on Facebook or email at tuftshiphop@gmail.com

-Chris… Continue reading

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Response to Lubna Malik from Akio

Dear Lubna:

I thank you very much for sending to us the wonderful article that Mr. Chris Cote and I are preparing to launch a discussion, called Finding the Missing Link, around the role of youth as emerging peacemakers between Western and Muslims communities.

Peace represents always the willingness and hope for the future, and it depends on how the younger people like yourself see the world and your country, and challenge toward the goal without a finish line. Gross National Product (GNP) is the measure of the economic welfare of the country, and Gross National Dream and Hope (GNDH) will be measured as the potential human development of the country which is the strongest engine toward constructing ideas as well as nations. Economic Power and Military Power alone could not develop a strong nation without the high standard of the GNDH.

From this point of views, it is very encouraging to learn your opinion that being a peacemaker, you believe that peace in the world starts with each and every one of us, and the younger ones have more potential, opportunities and chances of success to draw the reconstruction between two communities. I could not agree with you more that we must establish international links from the  school level to introduce our children the diversity of cultures.

I am very much encouraged to learn your vision and pleased to get acquainted with some one like you who are carrying the enlightening endeavor in the most difficult region of which I mentioned in my blog.… Continue reading

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Amartya Sen: Discussion and reason, our tools against terrorism

Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen has published a new book, The Idea of Justice. In it, he argues that to achieve justice you need public reasonable discussion, outlawing the use of torture no matter what the situation. (Christopher Hitchens gets water boarded to get the inside scoop, check out the video here ) Sen argues, “Dedicated terrorists survive on the basis of very large number of people who are compliant in some sense,” so, we need to reduce the bases on which terrorists depend in order to continue their actions. How? Public reasoning and debate. Terrorists may not be reasoned with, but the compliant masses, the guard that says, “Sure go ahead, I’ll be quiet about it,” can be brought to discussion.

This is just one case for the importance of public discussion. Expanding the reach of law and order toward a public discussion.  The interview reaches a lot of points of contention, but Dr. Sen dismisses them all.  Do you have any more?
Each day of this week, the Blog of Akio Matsumura will see a new post about the power of dialogue.
Use this blog as a launching point for a discussion or at least a thought-provoking read. Check back in tomorrow for Global Hip Hop.… Continue reading

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The Power of Dialogue: Words to Action

earth conference oneThe freedom of expression is a foundational tenet of democracy, and of individual freedom. At the Global Forum for Human Survival, where Akio gathered 100 spiritual leaders and 100 political leaders to discuss the world’s largest problems and its future, there was no agenda. The openness that each participant brought with them, the willingness to cross cultural and religious barriers made James Lovelock write,

“The  Global Forum did not end with the departure of the coaches from Oxford on April 15, 1988.  For many of us it still goes on as a new and thrilling way of life, a rewarding and purposeful communion that has sustained us and set our minds and hearts on the true task ahead: to ensure not just human survival, but the survival of all life through living in harmony with the Earth itself. (Foreword of Earth Conference One)” 

Dialogue is our weapon this century, of our generation now.  It’s how to win hearts and minds.… Continue reading

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From Lahore, Pakistan: Youth as Emerging Peacemakers

Ms. Lubna Malik, international link coordinator for Beaconhouse Schools in Lahore, Pakistan, sent me this contribution for the blog. A positive message encouraging dialogue.
First, a quick intro to the Beaconhouse School System:

logo_Beaconhouse


  • The first Beaconhouse school opened in Lahore in 1975. Beaconhouse has now established more than 130 schools in 30 cities and towns in Pakistan. Students study a variety of curricula, and Beaconhouse alumni are successful in all walks of life in Pakistan. More info at: http://www.beaconhouse.edu.pk/bssgroup/index.php

The post from Ms. Lubna Malik:

Youth as emerging peacemakers between Western nations and Muslim communities


Is peace in the world possible? Emphatically, yes!
Before writing anything else I should give a message to the youth who are raising the banner of peace, harmony and unity between the western world and the Muslims nations that you may not be able to make a big contribution, but you can make a little one, and you’ve got to try. Even if your contribution is a “little one,” in the long run, the smallest ingredient can be the most powerful, and the slightest act the most potent.
We are to discus the role of young generation in achieving the enlightened future, in succeeding to turn dream into reality; PEACE between western countries and Islamic nations.
Being a peacemaker I believe that Peace in the world starts with each and every one of us, and the younger ones have more potential, opportunities and chances of success to draw the reconciliation between two communities. Guys and girls we need to understand it, why should we always suffer from the agitation, aggression and all that distress which is enforced to us by mischief makers.

… Continue reading
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On the Eve of the Creation of Japan Parliamentarians’ Federation for Population (JPFP)





Dr. Osamu Kusumoto
Secretary General/Executive Director
Asian Population and Development Association (APDA)
Secretariat of Parliamentarians Federation for Population (JPFP)






On the Eve of the Creation of Japan Parliamentarians’ Federation for Population:
General Draper and parliamentarians’ activities on Population and Development
Background of Mr. Akio Matsumura’s article
Japan Parliamentarians’ Federation for Population (JPFP) was established as the world’s first non-partisan parliamentarians group on population and sustainable development in 1974 It is not well known that General Draper who was American Retired General of Army played a key role in creating the JPFP. Nor is it widely known that General Draper is a great benefactor of Japanese recovery from World war II.

William H. Draper was a famous banker before the war, and he was the key figure in the 180-degree shift of U.S. policy for Japan. As the Under Secretary of the Army, General Draper submitted the report to the U.S. Government in 1948 in favor of redirection of the Occupation policy by General Douglas MacArthur, which had been repressive and crippling Japan’s economic recovery.

In fact, General Draper’s plan laid the basis of economic growth of Japan after World War II. Some of his contributions include: his lobbying the U.S. Congress for foreign aid for Japan; his appointment of Joseph Morrell Dodge as an economic advisor to Japanese economic recovery; and fixing the exchange rate at 360 Japanese yen per of US dollar. Such General Draper’s plans helped Japan leap from a developing to a developed economy. Such contributions made by General Draper are not adequately recognized or appreciated by Japanese people.
… Continue reading