May 13, 2008

 

by Diego de Sola

 

The Capetown seminar was a true testament to the sustainability and potential of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.  Following the ACT II event in Aspen, the South Africa seminar was an opportunity not only to meet, but to really engage with Fellows across the different leadership initiatives.  There were representatives from ALI, CALI, ILI, the Crown Fellowship and the Liberty Fellows, and the integration was virtually seamless and almost instantaneous.  Although there were always varied and sometimes contradicting viewpoints in the discussion sessions, it was evident that we all shared a common bond of trust and respect for one another, regardless of how many days, hours or minutes it took us to get from our homes to the Spier Winery in Capetown!  Our South African hosts were tremendously gracious, giving us first-hand insights into the country's recent history and transformations.  We toured some of the so-called "shanty-towns" and visited with people who have been and are being benefited directly by some of the Fellows' leadership projects, and although the task of integrating such an enormous (and growing) marginalized population is daunting, we were all filled with hope and admiration seeing what some of the ALI Fellows had already achieved, fueled by readily apparent and authentic conviction.

 

The discussion sessions, held virtually outdoors in a hut at the Spier winery, were quite lively and often emotionally charged.  Our individual and collective vulnerability allowed us all to question ourselves and each other in non-threatening but challenging ways.  Questions like "how much is enough?" and "what's next?" were tackled from varying cultural, ideological and personal perspectives, and although there were some glimpses of answers here and there, in true Aspen fashion, we left with a new and refreshed set of questions.  There was ample opportunity for introspection, both on the programme and off.  Old friends got a chance to re-connect, and new friendships emerged as discussions carried over into meals, breaks and cocktails.

 

On a personal note, I left the event hopeful, but with a renewed sense of urgency, calling on me to ACT decidedly and with confidence, knowing that I am arm-in-arm with a tremendous network of caring, capable and willing people that spans the globe.