QF Family Photo

Much of the buzz in our office over the last week has been about the annual Qatar Foundation "Photo-Shoot." This is an event that records the legacy of Qatar Foundation's growth and impact by photographing a significant number of Qatar Academy, Qatar Leadership Academy, and Education City students. This picture is my amateur shot of preparations for the official photograph. Around 1,500 students were assembled at the Ceremonial Court this morning at 7 a.m. to have their picture taken.


It's always hard to get students up early so there was a reward - a buffet of delectable treats.I continue to be amazed that every event at Education City includes hospitality like I've never seen before. It's just the way we do things and there are no corners to cut - it's just not acceptable.

The feeling today was like a family photo, including Her Highness in the middle of the picture. And afterward, she circulated around with students posing for candid shots with the hundreds of students who sought to have their pictures taken with her. There was great affection and appreciation in the eyes of the many young people benefiting from the broad work of Qatar Foundation. This is a legacy that will rank right up there with the creation of the great library in Alexandria and Thomas Jefferson's advocacy for the creation of the University of Virginia. I dare say Education City will go down in history as one of the great, break-through experiments of the last couple of centuries and it is well worth watching.

Doha Debates - Critical reflection in the Gulf

I attended my first "Doha Debates" tonight. Wow! Was it ever fascinating. The "Doha Debates" have been sponsored by the Qatar Foundation since 2005 and they are broadcast worldwide via BBCWorld. The viewership is 300 million people in more than 200 countries and what an exciting initiative to provide a voice of critical reflection in the Arabian Gulf.

Tonight's debate was particularly controversial. The resolution was "This House believes Arab Governments couldn't care less about Darfur." To even pose the question in such a way was a significant risk for the program but it was highly effective in stimulating debate among the panelists and in spurring those of us in attendance to ask questions. If you can get to a TV that carries BBCWorld, you really should watch it. The 23 January debate will be on BBC this weekend both Saturday and Sunday; it depends on your local programming when it might be available.

The debate was conducted in very traditional form and stimulated lots of controversy. Ultimately, the resolution passed, meaning that 80% of those in attendance believed that Arab countries are doing little to stem the bloodshed in Darfur. Statements were made about monetary contributions but ultimately the views of listeners turned when the issue of personal responsibility and care arose. Some expressed that they believed that Arab countries stand by as a result of tacit agreements to stay out of each others' business. Whether or not this is a reflection of reality or the perception of the people is unclear. The point is that the people believe that Arab governments should do more.

There was a moment in the debate when the conversation shifted to the role of the U.S.A. An unfortunate and very debilitating result of the Iraq War is that foreign policy in the U.S.A. is presumed by some to be driven by self-interest of those who seek control, or at least significant influence, in countries that have oil. Sudan is such a place and at one point several statements were made about the role the U.S.A. has played in perpetuating the conflict in Darfur. Again, whether foreign policy is really driven by the motivation to control oil reserves matters little - it is the perception that counts.

I deeply appreciate the opportunity to debate such topics right in the middle of the Arab world. Indeed, it is a proud moment when people find and express their voices freely. This expression will no doubt have an impact on governments and leadership and perhaps, just perhaps, there will be future action to deal with the disaster of Darfur.

If you're interested, don't miss the BBC broadcast and then start watching for the next "Doha Debates."

Keep 'em comin' - largest convention center in the Middle East to open in Doha

I went to a presentation today describing the new Convention Center that is under construction as part of the Education City complex. It was pretty amazing, as all things here seem to be. This Convention Center will be the largest in the Middle East and the hope is that it will attract small to moderately large conventions. The design reflects the sidra tree which is a desert shrub that served as shelter for Bedoins from the burning sun. The sidra shelters the conversation between friends and colleagues as they interact in an otherwise severe climate.

The Convention Center is on a perpendicular axis with the academic buildings of Education City and sets up a spectacular vista across the oasis from the Ceremonial Court to the Convention Center and then the business and research center. All of this places the practice of business, science, and medicine in direct interaction with the academic experiences of students. When I think about the design that is coming to fruition, I have trouble imagining the kind of creativity that could dream such grand ideas. It is simply too good to be true. We talk theoretically about praxis in education departments but Qatar Foundation is including it in their architectural and landscape design!

Qatar LeaderShape '08

How do I describe the feeling one gets from being with students as they discover their passions and purposes in life? What is it like to know that they have immense potential, not only because of their talent but because of who they are and where they live? These are rhetorical questions but also questions of adequacy... Any description of my experience sharing the lead role for Qatar LeaderShape over the last week will certainly be inadequate but I'll try to provide a glimpse.

For a starter, Qatar LeaderShape was in a bit (what an understatement) of a different location than any I've experienced in the last 12 years of serving LeaderShape. This picture was taken on our next-to-last day while having poolside ice cream in celebration of one of our participant's birthdays. We overlooked a bay area in Al Khour, a beech resort north of Doha. Interestingly enough, the beech would have been a huge distraction for many Institutes but not for these students. They enjoyed it but didn't let it come in the way of their learning.

Qatar LeaderShape evolved from a cautious group of 58 students representing all our branches and representing untold national origins and cultures to a close-knit, caring, and appreciative community. The curriculum of LeaderShape, while needing cultural modification in a number of places, served very well as the platform. Students discovered themselves, explored what they cared about, learned to work across all types of differences, developed plans for how they can make a difference, and struggled with difficult questions of integrity. By definition, these students will provide leadership for the Arabian Gulf and beyond and they will do it more capably because they have experienced, and will hopefully remember, the lessons they learned.

There were so many high points that I cannot do justice to the experience. A young woman who stood alone when the question of academic integrity emerged - and by doing so, she drew everyone in the room to a new place in their own values. A young man who struggled with the balance between making money for a business that he anticipates serving - and then learned that there is something called social entrepreneurship that can make a difference in the lives of those who have few resources while still being profitable. A bright pre-med student who learned the importance of relationships and of working together to enhance the learning of all rather than toiling in isolation. A student born in California of Chinese parents who then moved to Saudi Arabia for his entire youth - struggling with where he can find a home and discovering that the journey of finding one's culture is not his alone. These are but a few of the profound encounters of the week.

The bottom line is reflected in a a metaphor I used in my closing comments - that of the pearl. Oysters are disturbed when grains of sand slip into their shells. Working at the grain, they create the pearl of great beauty and value. Qatar LeaderShape has disturbed the privilege of these incredible students, allowing them to make a difference in their world that they likely never anticipated. If their response is any indication (picture below), a new current of change is beginning that will be unstoppable.

'07 Holiday and back to Qatar

I've been back in the U.S.A. for the last two weeks, enjoying a wonderful holiday with my family. The entire two weeks was dedicated to the five of us (wife, two daughters, son-in-law, and Gram) doting on each other. I actually can't remember a holiday when we've dedicated so much time to each other. In retrospect, the fact that Darbi and I are in Qatar probably pushes the issue and reinforces the importance of family during the holidays.

We did many fun things, including lots of shopping and gift giving, cultural experiences (Phantom of the Opera in Chicago - picture below left), and meals either in or out that were to die for. In fact, the impact on how my clothes now fit is a perfect measure of how "to die for" all the food really was. It was a wonderful time together that made the departure for Qatar on the 2nd strangely more difficult than the last. It was renewing our commitments to each other that made it more difficult to part again. We have all committed to this venture so there is no hesitation or misgiving about it. However, that does not make being apart any easier.

Darbi and my reason for being in Qatar makes all the difference. I was seated on the plane tonight by a man who works for GE and is working on a powerplant outside Doha. I'm not exactly sure what was going on in his life but his attitude about flying to Qatar was far less than ideal. He's only here for two months, yet he complained about the challenges he has faced in his work and about his separation from family. I didn't really talk with him that much because his attitude was so wrong from my perspective. I simply can't understand taking an assignment in a place where you can't see that your time and effort count for something. People like this guy should leave immediately and shouldn't even make motions toward contributing through their work. This guy has no idea why he was placed in Qatar and the lack of knowing undermines his ability to deal with the inconvenience, separation, and challenge of an ex-pat work assignment.

I return to Qatar saddened by not being with my family yet I know that we've all taken the challenge of this in our lives. We have all sacrificed, perhaps Diane, Devin, and Steve have sacrificed the most by staying in the U.S.A. Because we know that there is work worth doing and that Darbi and I have a chance to make a real contribution in the Arabian Gulf, we are able to hang on. This is what strong family and strong friends are all about - supporting each other when things take us down unexpected paths. And, rejoicing in the time that we have together.

Those who read this blog know how difficult life's choices can be. We have a New Year upon us and we are challenged to use our time in ways that contribute to the betterment of the world and those individuals around us for whom we care. The distance my be close or far. In our case, the great distance will strengthen us as family and colleagues because we know that the inconvenience of distance has purpose. And, if the last 24-hours has been any indication, it really is true that love spans amazing distances and transcends time.