Hi everyone,
My name is David. I have been living and working in the Middle-East for the last three years. My background and current work is in research. My area of focus ranges from business to policy to peace-building. I am adventurous and passionate about life, God and the responsibilities He has blessed me with as a father and a husband. That said, I have three children and been married for the last ten years and have known my wife for a little under eighteen years.
The reason I am taking the MA Lead is because I want to become a stronger servant leader in the societies where God has called me to serve. Loyalty, humility and integrity are very important to me and they are the core of my beliefs. I have worked in the strategic engagement and strategic communication departments of one of most recent organizations I’ve worked for, and advised on the organization’s short- and long-term strategies and goals. I’m interested in using my past experience in strategy development and strategic thinking to sharpen my new learning in this course.
I look forward to getting to know you all.
Thanks David!
You have a unique view on strategy and visioning all around. The challenges the middle east faces every day and the many years of intervention they have experienced provides a unique world view we in the west do not always understand.
I am excited for your interaction in the course and with other students. Your engagements will add to our experience and and an enhanced world view. Thanks you.
Doug
Hi Dr. Atha,
Thanks for your reply. It is very interesting to watch the western perspectives on the Middle East, while in the Middle East. Many times the western perspective is not based on solid research or information. It continues to be often stereotypical and really misinformed. I believe that the real way to make informed policy decisions is to be very close to a society and situation, with people who provide continuity over the long term. What I see now is how often key players are rotated out and the lack of continuity really damages the processes. Complex situations like these require depth.
Hello David, it is great to meet you! I am interested in the work you speak of specifically in the global sense of strategic engagement and communication and I look forward to learning more of how you have seen progress through these means. My God led passion is in working to realize political and social change in an an area where oppression has overtaken progress. I am anxious to see how a Western perspective/approach can still impact change and would love to hear of your journeys. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Lisa, and everyone,
Thank you for your all your comments. Sorry – I’ve had some technical glitches and couldn’t reply earlier. I am looking forward to getting to know you all better throughout this course.
Lisa – working for political and social change is challenging and rewarding, isn’t it? It is interesting that you mention a western perspective and approach. What other perspectives have you been exposed to and how? I am very interested in other perspectives and have seen how multiple perspectives can really improve situations and make significant change. I am especially interested in getting voices heard and building bridges across seemingly uncrossable divides.