This
year I attended Hammamet 2013, a conference organised by the British Council,
enabling delegates to form new relationships and share insights into some of
the major political, social and cultural issues arising in the UK, Algeria,
Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Morocco.
It
was my first time in North Africa and in a short space of time I gained a real
insight into the challenges that face both the UK and North African region. It
was fascinating to meet people from other countries with different political stances
who told me their stories. Despite these differences, it became clear how similar
we all were as many of the issues facing our countries overlap and we share common
values, goals and aspirations for the future.
Hammamet focused on five key themes;
trust and accountability between citizens and leaders; difference, diversity
and dialogue; active citizenship; reforming the education system and arts,
culture and innovation. It was co-chaired by Dr Atia Lawgali from Libya and
Lord Lothian from the UK.
Over
the course of the two days there were numerous examples of mutual agreement and
understanding between delegates. I attended a session on reforming the
education system and we all agreed that our respective education systems were
archaic and that schools should focus on both knowledge and skills so that
students would be equipped with skills that would help them travel through
life.
I
also felt rather ashamed that political systems across the world are designed
to focus on providing solutions for problems that countries are facing now,
rather than plan and provide direction for issues that countries will
inevitably face in the future. It is clear that all of the countries present at
Hammamet face a crisis of education that our respective leaders need to work
together on to tackle and change for the better, if our countries are to thrive
in the global competitive world. Moving forward, it is clear that there is a
very crucial mentoring role for NGO's and companies to play in this area as the
curriculum within the UK is constantly changing and requires external support
and direction to ensure it keeps up with the standards of other leading
nations.
But
ultimately, as well as improving the policies and skills of each of our
respective countries, Hammamet was really about partnerships and building relationships
for the future. Every conversation that I had with fellow delegates was
ultimately about building a stronger and prosperous world for the next
generation.
If
you turn on the TV and look at the news or pick up a newspaper, you will all
too often see headlines and stories focussing on the divisions and negativity
between countries and cultures across the world. But we all know, through
conferences like the one that I attended, that the world is becoming a better
place and that all countries have an exciting opportunity to move forward, with
mutual support and exchange of ideas to build a better future.
I
left Hammamet with a better understanding of our values and cultures and
realised that my optimism and understanding must be shared so that others are
inspired to get involved and make a difference.
