All posts tagged Andrew Rugasira

Lead Where You Are

by Tim Schraeder on 08/08/2009 in Leadership Summit 2009, Notes with 3 Comments

I’ve been to the mountain… well, The Summit.

This year’s Leadership Summit was fantastic. Thanks to all of you (well over 3,000!) who found your way to my blog. I guess I take good notes? [By the way, I'm still taking 'Notes for a Cause' donations to go to Kiva.org!]

So I was at The Modern Wing at The Art Institute of Chicago today with a friend and overhead someone saying near the end of their trek through the galleries, “wow, I’m saturated…”

I think that sums up how I feel right now. Absolutely saturated.

There was so much information, inspiration and ideas that leapt out at me over the past couple of days and I’m still processing everything… but while it’s fresh, I thought I’d share a key thought or take-away I had from each session.

  • Bill Hybels’ first session, Leading in a New Reality, reminded me that I need to slow down and gently listen to God, even in the midst of the chaos of the world around me.
  • The panel discussion on Hiring, Firing, and Board Meltdowns challenged me to think of the kind of work culture we are creating at Park and how I, as a part of the team, am contributing.
  • Gary Hamel blew me away. There was so much he said, I don’t think I caught it all. But the one thing he did say that’s going to stick with me is that the Church is God’s plan for humanity and He has no “plan B.”
  • Tim Keller’s session, Leading People to the Prodigal God, was a sobering reminder to remember the true heart of the Gospel.
  • Jessica Jackley’s insight on the whole idea of co-creation totally excited me when thinking about new ideas and possibilities that are out there. It just starts be taking one, small step.
  • Harvey Carey didn’t have to do much to convince me that I just need to do something!
  • I could have listened to Dave Gibbons a lot longer, but I did get a copy of his book. I’m stoked to read more about his thoughts and insights on creating a Third Culture, a culture of adaptation.
  • Andrew Rugsira really challenged me to think differently about the continent of Africa and to not just look through the lens of compassion, but to also see the opportunity that is in the people there.
  • Wess Stafford… wow. What an amazing story. And how humbling to think that nothing is wasted, everything is redeemable.
  • David Gergen had tons of great insights but the one that stuck with me was the idea that who we are says a lot more about us than what we actually say.
  • The Heath Brothers were stellar, as usual. I’m going to really cherish their statement that “failure is oftentimes an early warning sign of success.”
  • Bono was great, too. I think the biggest challenge from him this year wasn’t so much about the HIV/AIDS as it was what he said about the Church. He said some things I think we really need to take to heart.
  • Tony Blair’s interview was way too short, but I think more than anything his reminder of what a privilege it is to be in leadership was something I needed to hear.
  • And although not a formal session, Bill Hybels’ closing remarks were a great way to end, reminding us that the little things are often the most important.

So, after all that… what’s my final thought?

I think the theme of this year’s conference says it all: lead where you are. No matter who you are, where you are, what you do, what you have or what you don’t have, God is calling you to do something. To lead where you are.

In thinking through each of this year’s speakers, they were all the first to admit their flaws and shortcomings but also the first to admit that in order to make a difference, you have to be willing to take a risk and do something. Even in the midst of your own failures or at the risk of failure.

I cannot think of a more exciting time and opportunity to be a part of the Church and to be a part of what God is doing in our generation. I’m so thankful for the experience of the Leadership Summit to remind me of the importance of the call to leadership, but more importantly, to remember first and foremost, before I do anything, I’m called to be a child of God.

So how about you?

What’s are your take-away’s from the Leadership Summit? What challenge are you going to face? Or what simple thing are you going to do differently? Would love to hear!

Thinking Forward: Aid vs Trade

by Tim Schraeder on 08/07/2009 in Leadership Summit 2009, Notes with No comments

Andrew Rugasira is the Founder and CEO of Good African Coffee, an African-based social enterprise that brings quality coffees to the global market. Prior to founding Good African Coffee, Andrew was the CEO of VR Promotions, Ltd., Uganda’s leading promotions and events management company, which was featured in president Bill Clinton’s 1998 tour of Africa. Andrew was nominated the Young Global Leader 2007 by the World Economic Forum and remains an established leader in economic development. He graduated with honors from the University of London, and lives in Kampala, Uganda, with his wife Jacqueline and their children.

  • What comes to mind when you hear the word “Africa”?
  • We often think: poverty, disease, HIV/AIDS, death, conflict, genocide, etc.
  • That’s one perspective that has been influenced by the narrative in the media all around us.
  • To him, he thinks opportunity, entrepreneurs.
  • The perspectives we hold influence the decisions we make and how we relate to people and churches in Africa.
  • We need to deconstruct the narrative going around about Africa and how we perceive it.

Looking Back at History…

  • Nov 15, 1884 – Bismark called The Conference of Berlin.
  • They decided how to regulate colonialism.
  • It was the “scramble” for Africa.
  • Communities were split, families were separated by the borders that we drawn.
  • By 1902, 90% of African was under colonial law.
  • They produced tea, coffee, cocoa… they were not allowed to process, only export which had a dramatic impact on their economy.
  • Africans are the best ones to solve their problems through hard work, production of quality products, etc.
  • The people who were coming to offer help didn’t look like them.

Integrity is being truthful about what you need to do to get out of a difficult situation.

AID vs TRADE

  • There have been well-meaning but misguided advocates for aid.
  • They believed they could bring about change by giving out hand-out’s.
  • Even when you to make your case for your vision, people will always stand in the way.
  • There is no country in the world that has developed through handouts… why is Africa different?
  • We use trade as an engine for growth because it’s part of economic doctrine.
  • Trade creates transformational impact for communities.
  • Trade is the only succcessful way to bring economies out of poverty.
  • Africa today only contributes 2% of the world’s trade goods.
  • We often only see the problem, not the opportunities.
  • We need to look at Africans as partners, trade opportunity, etc.
  • We need to give marketshare, not pity.
  • We need to change the conversation.

1 – Aid is really not aid.

  • Between 1970-2000 Africa has received $400 Billon in aid from Africa
  • Their GDP decreased as aid increased.
  • Aid is not effective.
  • Aid is not really aid.
  • It’s poorly structured.
  • The country prioritizes what it will spend its money on.
  • It’s insincere.
  • It’s conditional – we tell them what to do with it.

2 – Aid undermines accountability.

  • Aid creates chronic dependence.
  • So many countries seek donors for their budgets.
  • It undermines integrity and dignity of recipient countries.
  • We need to get people thinking about the impact of their compassion.
  • How do the people receiving our compassion while maintaining their dignity?
  • We need to look at Africa as a people of consumers, great products, etc.
  • Real partnerships can make sustained community transformation.
  • The greatest help won’t come from the outside, it will come as you empower people on the inside.

The best way to help Africa is with trade, not aid.

Reconstruct the narrative in your mind that kindness is best expressed through a hand out.

The greatest kindness you can give is to help people help themselves.