Melting the stereotype

During the breakfast on the table..

"What do you guys think about our country," one guy asked a female delegate who is from his neighborhood country.
"Bad," she replied short and toneless.
The man suddenly stop chewing a piece of bread in his mouth. It was like he was not prepared for such answer. "O-o... I am in the middle of cold war" I thought and pretended nothing happened and kept chewing my food. But I could not help not to see them who happened sitting next to me.

Then... after couple seconds controlling himself, he started the conversation with actual subject related to their countries situation. He used youth perspective which could little bit melt the frozen situation. Later on the other time, that man and that woman interact friendlier.

It is not easy to start a merely happy relationship with new people, particularly with those coming from countries which is politically has unstable situation with our home country. Political issues generate from high rank people. The cold is felt to the ground.

Honestly, it was not easy for me too. When I got the information that Mosaic International Summit 2011 will be held in Doha, with delegates from other Arabic countries, I felt awkward. There was stereotype in head. Some Indonesians feel un-cool with Arabic people after one of Indonesian worker executed in Arab Saudi without initial legal information from Arab Saudi government couple months ago. The news was headlines with additional opinion from experts. Since then I got that stereotype nested in my brain telling me Arabic people looking down at people just like in 'Jahiliyyah' and treated people as slave is just fine.

Coming with stereotype does not mean that I locked my mind. I come with open mind and warm heart. I put the stereotype as a shield. I mean I expected to the worst. I wouldn't be disapointed and too hurt if I found what I thought was true.

Day one. New faces were around. It was not easy to catch up the names in a day. But on my first day I believe I had conversation with Arabic dudes. We shook hand, traded smile and names. It was cool. My stereotype was not true and put it aside. I moved on and built friendship.

Well, of course meeting entire delegates is nice. I have chance to meet warm people and the cold ones. Enjoying discussion with serious people and trading fun with funny participants. They are human! I learn new cultures directly from the natives.

I am always told that ' do not judge the book from its cover' . Human is just human, they have their own thoughts, feelings and characters. They can be good just like they can be bad. A stereotype in my head melted along with the conversation and the greets. It is always need an open mind and a big heart to crack the stereotype and negative judgment. People should talk among others with big heart and positive intention.

Just like other participants who successfully break the ice of nasty political issues affecting people that do not relate to them, I should thank Mosaic for giving me chance to melt the stereotype.

Me and Mosaic

Being exposed for Mosaic on local website. :)

Living my mosaic life

It was just like few days ago I got an email congratulating me for being selected as participant of Mosaic International Summit 2011. In fact, it was months ago, on July 14^th. The opening email had made my days and I have always been curious to receive the next briefings email since then.

Mosaic International Summit is not my international experience indeed. I had been twice to Europe for study and obtained wonderful experience. Yet, being selected as a delegate of this Mosaic International Summit is just another enriching valuable different story of my life. This summit offers me what I professionally need and my home country might also need in the future. It is an innovative leadership development opportunity which brings together 80 young emerging leaders from different countries for 10 days in Qatar with the aim to: 1) develop leadership ability and an aspiration to be an agent of change and 2) develop understanding of key global issues and inspire positive thinking to address them.

Professionally, I have been working in public area. I was a journalist who now turns as a columnist; I was trusted to lead local youth organizations; I worked for humanitarian organizations setting the objective of people’s betterment; and currently I am working as a lecturer in a local private university in my hometown. Working in public area requires distinguished competence of leadership. Based on my experience, leadership plays an important role in creating a good team targeting excellent result. This skill should be sharpen and develop frequently.

Meanwhile, living in a developing country in which the people are learning to implement democracy, the agents of change are required. Young people must stand in a front line to watch the process of good democracy and inspire positive thinking. Only those with good leadership skill could do this role.

Regarding to the facts, Mosaic is one of the best answers to enrich me with leadership development that I can also share after my returning to my students and community. Mosaic International Summit will also be an impressive opportunity for participants to learn different cultures. The delegates will meet new people, see new places, share positive thinking and strengthen the link for world peace.

I am so much eager to come to the new chapter of my mosaic life.