World Vision Dialogue - Building a new collective dream

LEADERSHIP: Taking a Stand on Zimbabwe

Creating a better world for all sometimes means stepping up to courageously take a stand. Much of the problems we face today exist because most of us sit idly by waiting for others to make the badly needed changes that are piling up. Changes that impact lives and the future of all people.

Dr. Emmanuel Enekwechi Prime Minister, Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE) recently set the example for us all through his leadership message on behalf of the Government Federation of Biafra...

   

July 1, 2008

In the matter of the recent political and social events in Zimbabwe and its handling, the Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE) which represents the people of Biafra, their political hopes and aspirations, declares thus:

1) On behalf of the people of Biafra, BGIE regrets the actions of the ruling party in Zimbabwe in the conduct of what could not pass for free and fair elections.

2) BGIE condemns the government of Zimbabwe and the ruling party for the violence unleashed on the hapless people of Zimbabwe whose only "offense" was to make their political will known using the customary vehicle of suffrage.

3) Africa should hold Robert Mugabe personally and criminally liable for this gratuitous violence against the innocent people of Zimbabwe—his own people.

4) Africa should also hold criminally responsible as accessories all other persons, co-operators, and agents of Robert Mugabe, his political party and his administration, and members of State Institutions under his command who have participated in any way in the harming of the citizenry of Zimbabwe.

5) BGIE chides African Union (AU) for acquiescence in the face of brutality and battery of innocent Africans of Zimbabwe; and for failure to condemn injustice, denial of freedom, and flagrant violation of every principle of democratic election and democratic rule.

It is the hope of BGIE that the obvious fraudulent results of the recent sham elections in Zimbabwe be overturned and that Robert Mugabe and his collaborators be held accountable. 

Signed:

Dr. Emmanuel Enekwechi
Prime Minister, Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE)

WORLD VISION: Embracing Lessons Learned

RELATED PODCAST:
Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D., Igbo visionary from Biafra/south-eastern Nigeria, joins Debbe Kennedy, founder of the Global Dialogue Center to share his thoughts and wisdom, exchanging ideas on creating a new VISION for our WORLD, becoming a visionary ourselves, the role of personal responsibility and how we can become part of the oneness of the full world. Listen now  59:30

Dear Friends,

As we look within ourselves for a new, loving and more generous vision to manifest for our world and planet, it seems important to consider lessons learned ---- to look closely at the responsibility we hold for one another's well-being.

Secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi A. Annan offers us a compelling timeless reflection to consider. We share it with you...

FIVE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED
by Kofi A. Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations
Monday, December 11, 2006

Nearly 50 years ago, when I arrived in Minnesota as a student fresh from Africa, I had much to learn -- starting with the fact that there is nothing wimpish about wearing earmuffs when it is 15 degrees below zero. All my life since has been a learning experience. Now I want to pass on five lessons I have learned during 10 years as secretary general of the United Nations that I believe the community of nations needs to learn as it confronts the challenges of the 21st century.

First, in today's world we are all responsible for each other's security.
Against such threats as nuclear proliferation, climate change, global pandemics or terrorists operating from safe havens in failed states, no nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over all others. Only by working to make each other secure can we hope to achieve lasting security for ourselves. This responsibility includes our shared responsibility to protect people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. That was accepted by all nations at last year's U.N.
summit. But when we look at the murder, rape and starvation still being inflicted on the people of Darfur, we realize that such doctrines remain pure rhetoric unless those with the power to intervene effectively -- by exerting political, economic or, in the last resort, military muscle -- are prepared to take the lead. It also includes a responsibility to future generations to preserve resources that belong to them as well as to us. Every day that we do nothing, or too little, to prevent climate change imposes higher costs on our children.

Second, we are also responsible for each other's welfare.
Without a measure of solidarity, no society can be truly stable. It is not realistic to think that some people can go on deriving great benefits from globalization while billions of others are left in, or thrown into, abject poverty. We have to give all our fellow human beings at least a chance to share in our prosperity.

Third, both security and prosperity depend on respect for human rights and the rule of law. Throughout history human life has been enriched by diversity, and different communities have learned from each other. But if our communities are to live in peace we must stress also what unites us: our common humanity and the need for our human dignity and rights to be protected by law.

That is vital for development, too. Both foreigners and a country's own citizens are more likely to invest when their basic rights are protected and they know they will be fairly treated under the law. Policies that genuinely favor development are more likely to be adopted if the people most in need of development can make their voice heard. States need to play by the rules toward each other, as well. No community suffers from too much rule of law; many suffer from too little -- and the international community is among them.

My fourth lesson, therefore, is that governments must be accountable for their actions, in the international as well as the domestic arena. Every state owes some account to other states on which its actions have a decisive impact. As things stand, poor and weak states are easily held to account, because they need foreign aid. But large and powerful states, whose actions have the greatest impact on others, can be constrained only by their own people.

That gives the people and institutions of powerful states a special responsibility to take account of global views and interests. And today they need to take into account also what we call "non-state actors." States can no longer -- if they ever could -- confront global challenges alone. Increasingly, they need help from the myriad types of association in which people come together voluntarily, to profit or to think about, and change, the world.

How can states hold each other to account? Only through multilateral institutions. So my final lesson is that those institutions must be organized in a fair and democratic way, giving the poor and the weak some influence over the actions of the rich and the strong.

Developing countries should have a stronger voice in international financial institutions, whose decisions can mean life or death for their people. New permanent or long-term members should be added to the U.N. Security Council, whose current membership reflects the reality of 1945, not of today.

No less important, all the Security Council's members must accept the responsibility that comes with their privilege. The council is not a stage for acting out national interests. It is the management committee of our fledgling global security system.

More than ever, Americans, like the rest of humanity, need a functioning global system. Experience has shown, time and again, that the system works poorly when the United States remains aloof but it functions much better when there is farsighted U.S. leadership.

That gives American leaders of today and tomorrow a great responsibility.
The American people must see that they live up to it.

The writer, Kofi A. Annan, secretary general of the United Nations, will leave office December 31, 2006 This article is based on an address he will give today at the Truman Presidential Museum & Library in Independence, Mo.

AFRICA: Opportunity to Lead the Way - Great Britain

Two messages arrived from Chukwuji Ogbonna and Ethelbert Nwobi and I wanted to share my response with all of you. Read my original post and their responding messages.

No one knows the angst of Biafrans except for Biafrans themselves, as my fellow Biafrans, Chukwuji Ogbonna and Ethelbert Nwobi remind us all in their “Lamentations.” It is not just collective anguish with a capital “A”: such torment in fact feeds down the arteries and veins and umbilical cord down to the individual being, yes, through the capillaries down to the individual biological cell. At once collective and personal, such torment of Biafrans is total—systemic, organic: thorough. No one knows the true angst of the unfathomably oppressed. “Unfathomable,” because, there is no conceivable reason why Biafra and Biafrans should remain oppressed by Britain and Nigeria today—nor in the past, for that matter. So, allow Chukwuji and Ethelbert to ventilate.

While hopeful that “…setting the peoples of Africa free is one of the reasons why Great Britain has voted in favour of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples…” (referring to UN General Assembly A/RES/61/295 of September 12/13, 2007; document A/61/L.67; (http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/ga10612.doc.htm); (http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/declaration.html); http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N06/512/07/PDF/N0651207.pdf?OpenElement, it is rather most likely that GB / UK voted for this Resolution in order not to provoke its own Scottish Nation into an accelerated process of political Independence from UK. It is common knowledge that Scotland is engaged in a determined and systematic Self Determination process, a process which UK has not tried stop or to perish: compare and contrast this with the behavior and policies of UK in faraway but still technically British-colonized Africa, especially Biafra-Nigeria. As the British themselves would say, “What is good for the gander is [apparently NOT] good for the goose…” when it comes to the Scots of UK Versus the Biafrans in the Nigeria geopolitical space.

Tony Blair, the past leader of UK, is quoted to have once said that:

"The state of Africa is a scar on the conscience of the world."
"But if the world as a community focused on it, we could heal it."
"And if we don't, it will become deeper and angrier."
Source: BBC News Tuesday October 2001 15:28 GMT 16:28 UK
You are in UK Politics; “BLAIR: Key quotes”

Consider the hypocrisy? oxymoron? naivete? flippancy? Or, just sound-bites? You be the judge:

1) Does the world have a conscience when it comes to Africa? (Hint: China has just stepped into the same pernicious colonial jackboots introduced 300 years ago by Britain in Africa; UK is carrying out the same colonial policies in Africa—she never really stopped nor left).

2) Whose conscience, really, if there be such—the world’s or UK’s? (Hint: the original injury was caused by Britain. Today, Britain / UK is still the lead-State supporting colonial African puppet and unworkable governments, when such governments would have since died a natural death to allow for the indigenous Nations—Nations such as Biafra—to evolve into their own.)

3) “’World-as-a-community’ focus”? (Hint: the World “Powers” have partitioned the unfortunates [including entire hapless Africa] into “areas of influence”—actually, “possessions” wherein each Power does as it pleases with its own possession, without scrutiny or challenge. There is no world “community”—just fiefdoms. Who can forget US Nixon’s soliloquy [revealed in declassified US government documents] as Nixon literally wrung his hands in utter helplessness while Wilson of UK starved Biafran children, pregnant women, old men and old women, to the tune of mindboggling 2 million or so, in 1968-1970?)

4) “…Heal…Africa…”? (Hint: how can you heal Africa when you are busy causing and sustaining further injuries in Africa, as a matter of policy, while refusing to listen to the pleas of the suffering people?)

5) "And if we don't, it will become deeper and angrier." This one is self-commenting, seeing that Africa’s injuries have indeed “become deeper and angrier”—thanks to the author of these statements who also led his contemporary government in UK’s ongoing malicious policy in Africa.

Tony Blair’s metaphor of “scar” regarding Africa reveals genius.  By genetic predisposition, many Africans form “bad” scars: the scars are called “Keloids.”  I should know: I am African (Biafran, to be precise); and I am a Physician. Keloids, in a sense, may even be regarded as a form of Skin Cancer. They won’t kill you, but they are grotesque; if you cut one out, an even larger, uglier one regrows in its place—same for if you irritate it. Yet, many African cultures master this invasive skin scarring and deliberately inflict and exploit it while skillfully turning it into a beautiful, desirable, appealing live-skin art. Genius: Africa’s or Blair’s? Think about it.

In the modern times, Tony Blair represents that which is completely wrong with UK’s Africa policy, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the case of Biafra-Nigeria. Nowhere is the result as destructive and as catastrophic as in victimized Biafra.  Sadly, even Nigeria, used by the UK government as the ribbing-point of this malevolent policy against Biafra and Biafrans, is in ruins, as a result. As such, if we are talking about “conscience,” allow us to tickle the conscience, not of the world, but first, of Britain / UK.

The question which should be on everyone’s mind, as we return to Chukwuji’s and Ethelbert's apt and shared “Lamentations” is this:

“Just what of Biafra would threaten or jeopardize the British Government’s interest, or the interest of the people of UK?”

Why is the British government, with relish and apparent determination, directly and indirectly killing the Chukwuji’s and Ethelbert's of Africa—the Biafrans? Talk to the World, Chukwuji and Ethelbert. Talk to Great Britain. Where there is conscience, it can be tickled. If there is a conscience…

Oguchi Nkwocha, MD
A Biafran Citizen
California, USA

On behalf of the Nation and People of Biafra

RELATED PODCAST AND STORIES:
PODCAST with Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D.
STORY #1: NIGERIA: Did you know people are dying?
STORY #2: NIGERIA: GREED, HUMAN ABUSE, STEALING and loving your neighbor?
STORY #3: NIGERIAN LEADERS STOLE 100 BILLION SINCE 1999 

The Christmas Spirit from the Heart of Biafra

The Christmas Spirit from the Heart of Biafra
...Music, Message and News Analysis
with Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha
Voice of Biafra International (VOBI)
Listen NOW

This is a special holiday gift --- an experience of Christmas through the hearts of the Biafran people. Listen in to this recorded broadcast and follow along below to this moving Christmas message reaching out to all of us across the world...

Christmas fast approaches and the Season already dwells among us. Let us Biafrans now allow ourselves to be caressed by it; let us allow ourselves to be covered by the gentleness, the grace and goodness of this Christmas Season. Let Christmas become us, and we, Christmas. Amen. And, that’s all of us: Biafrans and non-Biafrans alike, for Christmas knows no borders or boundaries. Amen.

Christmas a biala a bia: ka anyi ndi Biafra kwee ka mmuo Christmas wuru mmuo ga a no na ime anyi—anyi na ndi Uwa na ile: Amen!

*           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *
Christmas is about Peace .The World is full of strife and struggles; Biafra’s struggle against Evil called Nigeria is one such struggle of Good against Evil. This struggle is ferocious; it is relentless. But, Christmas is a reminder that Struggle, no matter how fierce, will never overcome Peace; Christmas is our assurance that Peace triumphs over Strife--always; Christmas is the proof that Peace is enduring, to the end. So may we Biafrans be reminded this Season: Biafra shall know Peace; Biafra shall be at peace again. Amen. And, so shall the World—our Tormentor included. Amen. 

Christmas wu Udo; Christmas na a si na Udo e merie la Ogu na Nsogbu na ime Uwa ya. Christmas na a si na, na ihe gbasara Ndoli anyi ndi Biafra na i nweta Biafra, na Udo e merie la Ndoli ahu, maka Udo Biafra a nochie la anya Ndoli na Nsogbu Nigeria. Amen. Na ihi Christmas: Udo Biafra; udo Uwa, Udo ebe o wula, ma owughiladi Nigeria. Amen.

*           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *
“Goodwill!” is the Spirit of Christmas. Biafra and Biafrans have been so bruised and victimized by Nigeria that we have forgotten the term, Goodwill, and its meaning. We do not even know if we ourselves possess such a normally natural disposition anymore; quite certain, though, that Goodwill is NOT to be in any way or manner associated with our Tormentor, Nigeria. But, Christmas restores the promise and practice of Goodwill: may such be the promise and the practice in Biafra, and by Biafrans. Amen. And, since Christmas Goodwill—the only kind there really is—knows no bounds, may our Tormentor be touched, possessed of and changed by this Goodwill, too. Amen.

“Obioma” wu Mmuo Christmas.  Maka nsogbu na mmegbu Nigeria mere ndi Biafra, o nwere ike wuru na anyi a maghi zi kwa ihe Obioma wu. Ma, Christmas e cheta ra la anyi Obioma, nye kwa anyi Obioma ahu, nke no na mmuo anyi. Obioma ahu wu oke zuru Uwa dum: ya ka anyi wu ndi Biafra ji; Obioma ahu ka anyi na e nye Uwa dum—ma Nigeria kwa. Amen!

*           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

By the tradition of Christmas, Magic makes and becomes Reality; Wishes made come true.  Christmas is a guarantee that Humanity will Wish; more so, that Humanity will find some way to fulfill her own Wishes; and characteristically, that Humanity will deliberately make this Season magical with the “good” Magic, by her magical actions. Biafrans have one collective wish this Christmas: Liberation from Nigeria, that we may finally enjoy our Freedom and Liberty. Christmas is the reassurance that we will deliver on that Wish: we will fulfill that Wish. Amen. In our own Liberty and Freedom, Nigeria may also know her own Liberty and Freedom, as will the rest of the World. Amen. Thus Biafra will make Magic and know the Magic of Christmas; as will Nigeria; as will the rest of the World. Amen.

Christmas wu oge “Ihe Di Ebube”, mgbe anyi na e nweta ihe anyi choro—ihe no anyi na obi. Na oge Ihe Ebube ya, ihe anyi choro, Christmas e nye anyi ya. Otu ihe ka anyi wu ndi Biafra choro na oge ya: Ihe ahu wu Biafra: ka Nigeria si anyi na ahu puo, ka anyi si Nigeria puwa, gaa nweta Biafra anyi. Nweta Biafra ka e jiri gbara anyi Christmas: anyi ma na o mechala e mechaa. Na Nigeria i ha anyi wu Biafra aka, ka anyi nwere onwe anyi,  Nigeria na e nyere onwe nke ya aka ka o nwere onwe ya—nke e meeghi bee e me. O wu “Liberty and Freedom,” onyiye Christmas nyere Uwa dum. Amen.

*           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

This Christmas, it is our Wish that our revered brethren-heroes, the members of MASSOB in Nigeria’s prisons, including their leader, our adored Ralph Uwazurike, and their officials, such as our beloved Uchenna Madu, have their complete and unconditional freedom. It is our Wish that the world over, all similarly unjustly imprisoned persons have their full and unconditional release. In the Spirit of Christmas. In the name of Christmas. This Christmas.

Na oge Christmas ya—na aha na Mmuo Christmas—anyi choro ka a hapu umu nne anyi ndi MASSOB na ile no na mkporo ndi Nigeria aka, ka ha puta na mkporo—ma onye isi MASSOB, Ralph Uwazurike, ma ndi ndu ndi MASSOB, dika Uchenna Madu.  Anyi ji kwa Obi Christmas na a cho ka ndi mmadu ndi owula ndi no na onodu di ka ndi MASSOB anyi no na mkporo Nigeria taa, na ebe owula na ime uwa ya, ka e weputa ha, hapu ha aka. Na ihi Christmas.

*           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

Biafra alive! Because it is God Who makes it so!

Biafra: biri kwa

Biafra, ndu gi! Biafra, ndu gi!! Biafra, ndu gi!!!—na ndu anyi kwa. Maka Chineke nonyere la gi—nonyere kwa ra anyi!

That’s the News Analysis for the week. Thank you.

God bless and keep Biafra, and you, until our next broadcast.

*           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

Voice of Biafra International (VOBI)
A SHORTWAVE Radio Broadcast Service
transmitting on 15.67 MHz (on 19 meter band)
at 2000 - 2100 Hours UTC (Universal Time [Coordinated])
equivalent to 9.00pm - 10.00pm Biafraland time every Friday
A project of Biafra Foundation (BF) and Biafra Actualization Forum (BAF)

http://www.biafraland.com http://www.biafraland.com/NewsAnalysis.htm http://www.biafraland.com/vobi.htm

Standing In Peace

As the most powerful leaders in the world work to discover pathways to peace, the Interfaith Encounter Association in Jerusalem continues to help us discover how people are leading the way. I was taken by one of events they shared in their newsletter that was organized by the Jerusalem Municipality. In its simplicity, it is the children demonstrating that a new world vision begins with each of us valuing our good neighbors.

They held an exhibition at Jerusalem's City Hall plaza. The exhibition was called Buddy Bears, featuring 138 "Buddy Bears" representing as many bears as countries acknowledged by the United Nations.

As was written in a plaque describing the exhibition, "They stand peacefully hand-in-hand promoting tolerance and understanding between different nations and cultures." It was described as an enjoyable "trip around the globe" with a chance to view these "designer" bears from around the world. (Click on the picture to see a bigger view.)

I continue to be grateful for IEA's work in connecting with people around the world to help us all see the good that can be done. The work by the Jerusalem Municipality is a wonderful example. Dr. Stolov shared the story of the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA) mission with me:

"Some years back, I joined with a group of long-time activists in interfaith dialogue to form the Interfaith Encounter Association. Each of us felt a compelling need to make interfaith dialogue a widely used tool for building harmonious inter-communal relations in the Holy Land and the Middle East. Our vision was to make interfaith dialogue a real social movement---one that would transform these relations of mutual ignorance at best---and violence at worst---into mutual understanding, respect and trust.

We started with a framework of inclusion from the start. Our Board was composed of two Jews, two Muslims, two Christians and two Druze. These inclusive qualities attracted many people very quickly. We were moved by the response that included thoughts signing up for our mailing list and thousands of people participating in hundreds of dialogue programs.

...After being involved in these interactive dialogues focused on building mutual understanding, respect and trust, I believe real peace is possible and that it is
much easier to achieve than one would think."

It it notable that the Interfaith Encounter Association has been acknowledged for their groundbreaking efforts in generating peace and acknowledging the peace that people are generating for themselves with their time, ingenuity, and hearts, including these IEA honors:

Women's Peace Initiative Award - 2007
INTR°A-PROJECT AWARD for the Complementation of Religions - 2007
Prize for Humanity by the Immortal Chaplains Foundation in the U.S. - 2006

IEA's courageous work, and the work of people, like those involved from the Jerusalem Municipality, is a compelling call to leaders around the world and to all of us. Peace begins with each of us and we need to teach it to our children looking to us for leadership.

"It may be long before the law of love will be recognized in internal affairs. The machineries of governments stand between and hide the hearts of one people from those of another." --- Mahatma Gandhi

As we move into a new year may we all stand for peace wherever we find ourselves in the world. It is by living by the law of love that our world will be transformed.

Debbe

debbe kennedy
founder, president and CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

IEA is also featured in my new book...
www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
Putting Our Differences to Work  Pre-Order at Amazon
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ May 2008 – Hardcover
Foreword by Joel A. Barker, futurist, filmmaker and author
Paradigms: The Business of Discovering the Future

THE POWER of A NEW WORLD VISION

Recently, in response to our post, "NEW WORLD VISION": "When evil men burn and bomb, good men build and bind," Janina left a meaningful comment, I wanted to share her comment and my response back:

JANINA WROTE and QUESTIONED:
I am totally moved by all of these entries by yourself and Dr. Nkwocha. Sadly women, who represent a majority in the world, as well as the poor, are underestimated and not-allowed to make changes on a large scale. We are bullied and destroyed even in North America, especially in our homes and the work place. Rarely does the law help us. I ask how we can collectively or individually make changes when so much evil pervades the earth? Perhaps writing is one of the ways.

The threat of Christian destruction is becoming a world pendemic. Governments are slowly being run by corporations and corporations are after only one thing and that is money and profit.

How do we get through to our government officials? How do we reach out on a world scale, when we cannot even in our own back yard.

RESPONSE TO JANINA from DR. OGUCHI NKWOCHA:

Dear Janina:

I identified these issues in your efficient response—two dozen or so issues in just 3 short paragraphs!
________________________________________________________________
# Women:
• represent a majority in the world, but 
• represent a majority of the world’s poor,
• are underestimated
• are not allowed to make changes on a large scale.
• are bullied and
• are destroyed, even in North America,
• are destroyed  in our homes and
• are bullied the work place.
• Are rarely helped by the law.

#  Present Realities:
• Evil pervades Earth
• The threat of Christian destruction is becoming a world pandemic
• Governments are slowly being run by corporations
• Corporations are after only one thing and that is money and profit

# Questions:
• How we can collectively or individually make changes?
• How do we get through to our government officials?
• How do we reach out on a world scale?
• If we can’t even make changes in our backyard, how do we reach out on a world scale?

# One Solution:
• Writing is one of the ways.
______________________________________________________________________

Your writing re-translated above in fact supports the point that you make: “…[Perhaps] writing is one of the ways…”

My first impression is to throw this open to all readers, and I still favor this idea, because no one source or person has all the answers.

Elsewhere, I have pointed out the power of Vision / “en-Visioning.”  One Vision can produce the results that will solve myriads of problems, or eliminate a root-problem of protean manifestations. We cannot underestimate the power and efficiency, efficacy and enduring nature of Vision. Let’s use it. Individually and collectively.

Sometimes, the compelling nature of a Vision stimulates desired change-producing Political activism in parts of the world where such is productive; at other times, Social activism; in some places, “Communication Activism” (Media, including Writing), in other places, coordinated civil disobedience and Labor action. Activism can be done on an individual level and or a collective level; either way, it is a Vision that ignites it and supports it through to consummation. Yet, activism is but one vehicle for fulfillment of the goals of a Vision: “the system” is more creative.

The thing about Vision is that neither time nor space binds it: it drives the process or processes relentlessly, oblivious of time-frames, oblivious of “failures,” such that the goal is invariably accomplished: today; if not, then tomorrow—whenever—for sure; but accomplished it will be.

Do not allow “present realities” shrink the horizon of what is possible. That also includes not allowing current pervasive negatives affect your ability to form the correct Vision—or to engage in the act of “en-Visioning” at all.

There is practical value in using “Vision.” Really!
Margaret Mead said, quoted in several versions, something like: “…All it takes is a few committed persons to make a change in the world; and in fact, that’s about the only way such change in the world is possible...” History and facts back up her observation.
Can you believe that just one woman and her activism compelled the entire State of California to reconsider and adopt what I call “Green Consciousness”:  responsible use of fossil fuels and management of such resources and the fallout from their use? Her so-called trials and tribulations at the hands of all-powerful, all-wealthy and almighty stakeholders only led to other States in the US adopting her goals, and forcing a US Supreme Court ruling in favor of her goals, thereby now compelling the US government to acknowledge and support such?

Debbe Oneness once quoted: “…the greatest engineering feat of the Universe is the Human Mind…”  That Mind works with Vision.

Vision.

Thank you, Janina, for pricking our individual and collective psyche. We need that.

Oguchi Nkwocha

Oguchi Nkwocha, MD
A Biafran Citizen
California, USA

On behalf of the Nation and People of Biafra

RELATED VIDEO, PODCAST AND STORIES:
Joel Barker's POWER OF VISION video (bottom of Five Regions exhibit) PODCAST with Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D.
STORY #1: NIGERIA: Did you know people are dying?
STORY #2: NIGERIA: GREED, HUMAN ABUSE, STEALING and loving your neighbor?
STORY #3: NIGERIAN LEADERS STOLE 100 BILLION SINCE 1999 

Start Building a New World in Your Mind

I am fond of old books that came before me. I can't tell you why, but they have intrigued me since I was very young. It is not about looking at the past. It is more about having an interest in hearing what others have to say --- and I've learned there is much wisdom that is passed down to us to take in and apply to our lives and world today.

Once in a while through my research on other things, another old book comes to me. I particularly like ones that seem to be in conversation with me. Recently, I found one entitled, TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT YOURSELF written in 1950 by John Homer Miller. There is a great chapter in it called "Start Building the New World in Your Mind." Here are some excerpts to share.

"You want a better world. What you need to help make the world better is not more education of your intellect, but something spiritual and ethical added to your knowledge. You need educated emotions and a dedicated heart. Shakespeare once said that he can always tell a wise many by the fact that everything he says and does smacks of something greater than himself.

...only the consciousness of a purpose mightier than any man and worthy of all men can compose and fortify and control the soul of man. Knowledge is not enough. Knowledge is knowing about things which you can control, which you can master. Wisdom is knowing about and putting yourself under the influence of things which can master you.

Before you do what you can do for the world, do the more difficult thing---let something be done for you. Before you have any right to face the world, you must face yourself. Before you can really say anything worth while to others, you must first let something be said to you. Before can help make the world right, you must be made right within.

Great souls start from within and move out; they start at the center of civilization and move out toward the circumference.

Unless within my heart I hold
Abiding Peace,
No league of nations can succeed,
Nor will strife cease.

If I myself see every fault
In kin and friend,
The world may never see the day
When war will end."

How are you starting from within to build a new world in your mind?
May it lead to you being a beacon of PEACE. Imagine its power when connected to others with the same vision. Hold that thought!

Debbe

debbe kennedy
founder, president and CEO
author, virtual speaker and dialogue leader
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

new book!
Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ Spring 2008 – Hardcover
Foreword by Joel A. Barker, futurist, filmmaker and author
Paradigms: The Business of Discovering the Future

NIGERIA: Lessons learned from a Shameful Journey

What has happened to our consciousness as people? We must be asking ourselves these kinds of questions in order to shape a future that is good for all and harms no one. One glaring example of the misery our self-interest perpetuates is demonstrated in Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha's poignant explanation of lessons learned from the shameful journey of Andrew Young, the former black civil rights leader and confidant of Martin Luther King Jr., with a pretigious history, who has recently come under criticism for his dirty dealings with corrupt African governments, especially for his close relationship with General Olusegan Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president. How easily our actions and behaviors can tumble a life with much good into a shameful journey.

PERSPECTIVE by Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha

Those who use the excuse that they want to change Nigeria from inside out, take special note! Below is the usual path and endpoint.

BTW: When we started harping on Andrew Young, no one else took note. Good to know that our instincts and deductions always pan out. Now, read and weep!

Oguchi Nkwocha, MD
A Biafra Citizen
Nwa Biafra

_________________________________________________________________________

Andrew Young: Tracing a Shameful Journey

Step 1:

“…Young put it another way, “For 40 years of my life,” he told the Times, “I was on the outside seeking change. I realized that I could be more effective being on the inside implementing it.”…” –excerpted from article below.

Step 2:

“…Reports indicate that Young’s ties to Africa developed while he was the US ambassador to the UN in the late 70s, meeting Obasanjo, the military-installed president of Nigeria, at the time. “Obasanjo and I kind of hit it off immediately,” Young told the Times. “We were mainly interested in democracy.”

Actually, Obasanjo was a US operative, closely allied to the CIA, who took power in 1976 after his predecessor, Murtala Muhammad, was assassinated under unexplained circumstances. At the time, the US was still reeling from the OPEC oil embargo and was vitally concerned with Nigerian oil interests.

When Obasanjo left power the first time, in 1979, he was appointed to the board of directors of the CIA-run African American Institute, headed by the former US ambassador to Nigeria Donald B. Easum. In the 1980s, Obasanjo was sent on high-profile speaking tours by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the US Institute for Peace. …”

Step 3:

“…Young has defended his relations with Obasanjo, portraying him as the defender of democracy in Nigeria who has broken the past practice of corruption that has been rampant since the country won its independence. Obasanjo has also received the praises of President George W. Bush and Colin Powell as an example of the type of democracy they would like to see in Africa…”

Step 4:

“Who benefits from Andy Young’s relationship with the government of Nigeria? It’s not the Nigerian people,” remarked Ken Silverstein, a reporter for Harper’s Magazine. “As I see it, the primary beneficiaries of his work in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa are those corrupt, authoritarian regimes he works with and his private corporate clients.”

Young has provided his services both to enrich his clients and himself, but also to assist the United States as it joins hands with various blood-soaked dictatorships and strongman in order to secure American strategic interests in the pivotal continent…”

Step 5:

“…Young is a member of the National Security Study Group and therefore would have been briefed on the Bush administration’s newly established United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)

Young is aware that the US has developed strategic interests in the oil states of Africa and has made plans for the establishment of strategic military bases. West Africa alone has an estimated 15 percent of the world’s oil reserves. And by 2015, the region is expected to provide 25 percent of the US energy market…”

Concluding step:

“…Meanwhile, the funds flowing into GWI and the hands of Andrew Young are at the expense of the Nigerian and African masses. Despite the nation’s wealth in natural resources, 70 percent of its population of 140 million lives on less than US $1 per day….”

Learn more: www.biafraland.com

~ end.

I believe that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would weep at this news. He would be saddened to see the extent to which we, as human beings, are willing to go to satisfy and justisfy and excuse our greed and self-interest in a disturbing disguise. Who knows how many details we may be missing in this story of Andrew Young that might tell a fuller story in any direction. It doesn't really matter. This shameful journey serves as an example to us all of our human weakness. It points out that every words we speak, every thought we express, every attitude we reveal to the world demonstrates how big or small we are as leaders in our own right. As most of those actions and behaviors have implications on others we too often overlook. Even if Andrew Young were to object, it begs him to ask the question of himself, how did my actions and behavior leave such an impression? How did they turn good into shame and sham?

In the words of Dr. King ...

"All humanity is involved in a simple process, and all men are brothers. To the degree that I harm my brother,  no matter what he is doing to me, to that extent I am harming myself. ...It is hardly a moral act to encourage others patiently to accept injustice which he himself doe not endure.

...We are caught in an insescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."

So just what size is your leadership?

How can we continue to turn our heads when such greed and injustice sits at our feet awaiting our action?

I leave you asking myself this questions of conscience. I hope you will too.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

On behalf of the Nation and People of Biafra

RELATED PODCAST AND STORIES:
PODCAST with Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D.
STORY #1: NIGERIA: Did you know people are dying?
STORY #2: NIGERIA: GREED, HUMAN ABUSE, STEALING and loving your neighbor?
STORY #3: NIGERIAN LEADERS STOLE 100 BILLION SINCE 1999

HUMANITARY AID MONUMENT IN SÃO TOMÉ

Sometimes building a new vision --- developing a new dream --- fulfilling the promise for all people, means going back to remember. Sometimes, it means making things right. Sometimes it means paying tribute to those who sacrificed and those that showed up to risk it all to help.

Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha, Igbo visionary from Biafra/south-eastern Nigeria, shared the meaningful, commemorative initiative underway related to the HUMANITARY AID MONUMENT IN SÃO TOMÉ. It comes with a story we should all know --- a shameful story that will leave you in disbelief. It is one I regrettably missed in my busy-ness of early life and I assume you might have too.

The GOOD NEIGHBORS:
To set the stage for the description that follows, I remember how Dr. Nkwocha shared a part of this story with me. In his own words:

"Nigeria refused to allow humanitarian relief to go directly to Biafra. There were a few brave souls that showed up to help. Many lost their lives. Flying in relief to Biafra called for innovation. The Biafran airports were under constant fire and bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force. During this time with our good neighbors, the principal Biafran Airport became the busiest airport on the continent of Africa. It was the most efficient and most resourceful. Our innovation? All transactions were done in near total darkness! The world had failed Biafra, but there were brave souls---our good neighbors---who showed that they cared.

History teaches us one thing: Persons and Personalities are remembered, NOT for what they are NOR for what they do, but for what they have DONE."

WILL YOU SHOW UP TO HELP NOW?
Here is history and compelling story you won't want to overlook...this time. As I learn more about this story, I am sure its past, present and future comes to us as what Mother Teresa called "Jesus in a distressing disguise" calling out for all that is human in us to respond. We invite you to share in Xavier Muñoz Torrent's message below. The commitment demonstrated in this initiative is proof that the world, even if silent, does not and will not forget horrendous acts that painfully became part of the story of Biafra.

MESSAGE and INVITATION from...
Xavier Muñoz Torrent, President
Caué Association, Friends of São Tomé & Príncipe
São Tomé e Príncipe, África Occidental
http://es.geocities.com/caueass
Emails: [email protected] ou [email protected]
Cidade de São Tomé / Barcelona / Lisboa, July 2007

"Forty years ago, in the 30th May 1967, the Republic of Biafra was declared, by separation from Nigeria after political convulsions and indiscriminate killings which followed the first times of that post colonial federation. That proclamation was the starter of one of the most bloody wars ever seen before in the modern world -the War of Biafra- and one of the biggest genocides, that included the most terrible hungry: more than 1.500.000 civilians, mostly children, didn't survive to that drama.

From July 1968 till January 1970, the Joint Churches Aid was organising an humanitary air-corridor based in São Tomé island. Thanks to the skillfulness of pilots of different nacionalities in very risky night-flights, outwitting the Nigerian artillery, besieged Biafrans were provided with the most basic goods. The JCA's planes made plenty of flights (they did them different times every night) and took part in the evaquation of defenceless population where the genocide was sure.

The JCA's managers, the authorities of the Island and the civilian population were completely involved into a humanitary aid operations, with heroic facts (or simply human facts) which were place forever into the minds of people who lived that moment; even in the memories, legends and popular imaginary. The São Tomé port and airport registered an activity such intense as never before; São Tomé market filled up with cooperants, religious people, medical doctors, logists and military men…, but also adventurers, mercenaries, mavericks, smugglers and speculators coming from the most remote places of the planet. São Tomé became during that time a "hub" devoted to international relief and its name was placed on the world map again, as the capital of the most felt humanity that was fight against the most brutal violence and irrationality.

Nowadays, the rest of those planes used in that air-bridge, two "Lockheed Constellation" ("Connies"), abandoned to the climatic inclemencies since the end of the war, are the silent testimonies of this episode, almost forgotten, of the contemporary history of São Tomé and of the Western Africa.

AN INTERNATIONAL POPULAR INITIATIVE:
THE MONUMENT OF HUMANITARY AID

The Caué Association, Friends of São Tomé e Príncipe, believes, after these years of playing a function in local memory, of last evidence, a recognizement is needed for these aircrafts an is impelling an international popular initiative (by free subscription of individuals and entities) to ask to the Government of the Democratic Reuplic of São Tomé e Príncipe

THE CONVERTION / DECLARATION OF THE REST OF THE TWO LOCKHEED CONSTELLATION AIRCRAFTS AS AN INTERNATIONAL MONUMENT OF THE HUMANITARY AID, TAKING PART OF THE SANTOMEAN NATIONAL INHERITANCE.

The project includes the declaration of both aircrafts and the field where they are placed as historic monument and official catalogation, the renewing and consolidation of both planes and conditioning of one of them to be used as museum of humanitary aid and of the history of that air-bridge to Biafra; the organisation of conferences and exhibitions, debates and other different cultural and scientific manifestations about the humanitary aid or relief, about the humanitarism and about the social ethics of cooperation.

GIVE YOUR SUPPORT TO THIS INITIATIVE

The Caué Association is impelling a campaign for international support subscription. You can give your support to this initiative by subscribing it. Deadline to send supports: 31st July 2007."

How you can support this meaningful project:

http://es.geocities.com/caueass/caue_projetos/caue_biafra/caue_stpxbiafra_subscreve_uk.htm

More info in:
http://es.geocities.com/caueass/caue_projetos/caue_biafra/caue_stpxbiafra_uk.htm

~~~~~~~end message

May our world live with a greater more generous consciousness to ensure the past is honored, the present is healed and the future is one of HOPE for the Biafran people.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

On behalf of the Nation and People of Biafra

RELATED PODCAST AND STORIES:
PODCAST with Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D.
STORY #1: NIGERIA: Did you know people are dying?
STORY #2: NIGERIA: GREED, HUMAN ABUSE, STEALING and loving your neighbor?
STORY #3: NIGERIAN LEADERS STOLE 100 BILLION SINCE 1999 

AFRICA: British Government--Finding a NEW PATH

Some years ago, a highly respected leader told me that someone had shared with him that the origin of the word manager meant to control. "Leadership, on the other hand," he told me, "had a Germanic origin meaning to find a new path."

Right now, at this time in history, almost everywhere in the world, we see things happening that require a new generation of big, bold, innovative leaders to step forth to consider new and promising ideas --- leaders willing to find new paths for peace and prosperity for all the world's nations. Nowhere is the need more pressing and the requirement for new thinking and new vision more URGENT than in Africa. The urgency is not for more aggression or more sanctions. It is for true LEADERSHIP --- the kind that can forge new paths by putting differences to work by honoring them through creative new solutions. Africa represents a place that tragically has been a demonstration, over and over again, of what Albert Einstein warned when he said that "we can solve problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."

With the change of leadership in the British Government, it is clear that Gordon Brown has the opportunity to set an example for the world of true leadership at a new level by rethinking the long-standing failed UK colonial policies related to Africa and piloting a new paradigm --- stepping up to allow a new way to help Africa become whole through the new vision offered in the Multi-Nations Solution --- an idea that if successful could be a role model for change throughout the world. It is an honor, to present the appeal and promise of brilliant new idea shared in the open letter that follows below by Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha, Igbo visionary from south-eastern Nigeria/Biafra:

AN  OPEN  LETTER  FOR  TONY  BLAIR  AND  GORDON  BROWN 
REGARDING  AFRICA

“Blair passes on his African vision” is the title of a recent news transcript by Peter Biles of BBC News, Johannesburg, of “From Our Own Correspondent broadcast on Thursday, May 9th, 2007 at 1100 GMT on BBC Radio 4.”  It is a title evoking feelings of unbridled unease for the reason that the implied recipient of Blair’s vision is Gordon Brown, who was a member of Tony Blair’s Commission for Africa; and Brown will also be inheriting the UK government from Blair.

For, it is our opinion and belief that Mr. Blair’s vision of Africa is informed by and founded on the UK government’s policies on Africa; that such policies are an unbroken thread woven from the period and the ingredients of British colonization of Africa; that colonization inflicted the wound which turned Africa, as once described by Blair (according to the broadcast above), “a scar” [“on the conscience of the world”]. We believe that a vision of Africa formulated by the Prime Defender and Executor of government policies which torment Africa (as colonial policies certainly did) cannot be a good vision. And now, both the vision and subtending government are being “passed on” together to Mr. Brown. That is the cause of our trepidation.

AFRICA Solutions (PDF)

Recommittal to Declaration of Biafra May 30 2007 (PDF)

We do not in any way suggest that Tony Blair and or Gordon Brown have less than honorable, charitable intentions towards Africa, nor do we question their commitment to Africa. We do, though, point out that their circumstances make well nigh impossible “thinking outside the box” paradigm for Africa.  That is the cause of our unease. It is essentially clear that without throwing off the old mentality, no significant progress can be made in Africa, which explains why indeed no such significant progress has been made or recorded, despite a huge investment in time, money and personnel.

We can use Nigeria as an example of British policies in Africa. 100 years ago or so, the British applied colonial policies to Nigeria and forced a “non-uniting” British-balkanized “union,” out of peoples with hardly any thing in common save for skin pigmentation. A problem “child” of a State was thus birthed. 100 years later, the UK government is still insisting on keeping Nigeria one, unmoved by Nigeria’s glaring problems which have rendered Nigeria truly unworkable and painted it a caricature to the rest of the world.  This past decade was Blair’s watch: he maintained these policies—as if he had forgotten that these policies led to Genocide against the Igbo and other Biafrans by Nigeria; led to the Biafran war, wherein the British government provided the wherewithal for Nigeria to use hunger as a “legitimate” (Nigeria’s rationale, backed by Britain) weapon of war against Biafrans; led to Muslim domination of Nigeria (British deliberate preference); led to the current morass and looming crisis in Nigeria.  It could well be said that Nigeria is a test of Blair’s Africa vision, as well as his Africa policies: that makes our point and justifies our concerns. 

It is within this context that we implore Gordon Brown to abandon failed Africa policies and failed Africa vision which are now being passed on to him, in order that Africa may escape suffocation.  As these apply to Nigeria, we implore Mr. Brown to re-evaluate the Nigeria-must-remain-one colonial policy and vision of the British government, a policy and vision which have already put Nigeria in coma, one step from final demise; not forgetting that human beings bear the burden and are paying the ultimate price, minute by minute, for these failings.

Specifically, we ask Mr. Brown and the British government to stop blocking a Multi-Nations solution for Nigeria, whereby major Ethnic Nations in Nigeria regain their pre-colonial Independence, Sovereignty and Nationhood. These Nations can then mutually agree on areas of inter-National cooperation among themselves.  There is nothing in this arrangement which should jeopardize genuine and legal British interests in the area: if anything, such interests will be secure and better met than in the no-end-in-sight disaster known by Nigeria.

This paradigm can be applied where appropriate and where desired by the Nations and their peoples in other parts of Africa. We believe that restructuring of the nature suggested by the Multi-Nations solution paradigm will finally neutralize the colonial program which has been running in the background despite so-called Independence of African countries. It is the fact that colonialism still lurks and is active in Africa that is responsible for major ongoing problems of Africa today. Restructuring will eliminate the odious program and lead to more stability and security in Africa.

We urge Tony Blair, for his part, to turn his attention to Biafra—to working for the actualization of Biafra, which fits into the Multi-Nations solution strategy for Nigeria, if he can still find the time to work on Africa, as we predict and hope he will. Biafra has to be a huge burden on the conscience of the British / British government considering the large role played by the British, even as we speak, in the ongoing oppression and persecution and bloodletting by Nigeria of the Biafrans in Nigeria today.  We believe that Mr. Blair will find in the actualization of the Nation of Biafra a new hope for Africa.  And he should discover a true friendship and caring for the British which has always been there but thus far trampled.

We write in order to turn our unease regarding these developments into reassurance. This translates into hope for our people: hope that we will crawl out of imposed bondage and proceed to fulfill life’s aspirations as citizens of the Independent Nation of Biafra; hope that Africa will have found an effective solution for thus far intractable problems, so to arise to fulfill its potential on the globe; hope for the Blair’s and the Brown’s  of this world who strive so hard to make a difference in our world—that they may get tangible and significant results.

In the absence of such hope, we perish—we all perish, together.

Oguchi Nkwocha, MD
A Biafran Citizen
California, USA

On behalf of the Nation and People of Biafra

RELATED PODCAST AND STORIES:
PODCAST with Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D.
STORY #1: NIGERIA: Did you know people are dying?
STORY #2: NIGERIA: GREED, HUMAN ABUSE, STEALING and loving your neighbor?
STORY #3: NIGERIAN LEADERS STOLE 100 BILLION SINCE 1999