08 December 2006

Creating demand for accountability

TEDGlobal2007 speaker Ory Okolloh is one of those young Africans that graduated from Western universities and then went back home armed with degrees, tools, a vision and the intention to improve the state of their countries. The first time I met her I discovered a smart and driven woman who could really make a difference - an impression confirmed in later meetings. A few months ago, she co-founded Mzalendo, a "watchblog" that keeps an eye on the members of the Kenyan parliament (MPs). "Political accountability stems from demand", she says. People have to demand it - and that's what Ory and co. are trying do with Mzalendo: demand accountability from the MPs by monitoring what they do for their constituents.

The Kenyan parliament's website, she writes in this post, was taken down two years ago "after protests by some MPs who were embarrassed about their CVs being published online", and it has not been replaced yet. Ory and the Mzalendo crew (the name means "patriot" in Swahili) have made those profiles available on the blog, scrutinize the MPs activities, and publish news and analysis, with the hope to move things forward:

"There is only so much bemoaning you can do about your representation. We have been doing so for dozens of years. There is nothing that is being voiced, written or blogged that has not already been said before, when it comes to how abysmal Kenyan politicians are. There comes a point after which talking ceases to serve a point, and we need concrete solutions".

In 2007 Kenya will have general elections: Ory and her colleagues' watchblog is likely to play a significant role.

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PeaceProfit – December 20 2006

Leadership*Power

One who angers the few, will be seen and accepted as a leader by the many.

One who angers the many will be seen and accepted as powerful by the few.

Those who live and act in fear and anger will suffer the egos and deceptions of the powerful.

Those who live and act with compassion, tolerance and understanding will enjoy the benefits of truth guided by the Rulz of Love.

BL*M

* * *

Imagine*Leadership

Imagine leadership controlled NOT by political, corporate, religious or lobbied agendas, BUT rather leadership supportive of the true needs of the people, leadership that fosters relationships rather than revolutions, leadership that builds hope rather than hopelessness, leadership founded by the people, for the people and of the people, NOT by a select few who claim knowledge and understanding of geopolitical workings and agenda, BUT rather leadership by people who actually work and live within the consequences and affects of the agenda driven special interest policies created to manage the leadership and flow of power, resource and economy.

Imagine leaders who come from the ranks of the people affected by such policy.

Imagine a world whose business is to use the tools of wealth and power to build a relationship of humanity controlled by the peoples desires of health, happiness, truth, justice, global and environmental harmony.

Imagine the true realization of the American Dream.

Imagine all the leaders working to benefit all the world.

“ I’m not the only one, perhaps some day you’ll join us, and the world can live - The Peoples*Dream - as one.”

Support*Truth - Not Agenda

©Bruce Larson*Moore

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