I never should have made it to Afghanistan as a student of
Afghanistan as a student of
Afghanistan as a student of international and terrorism studies I
international and terrorism studies I
international and terrorism studies I had always wanted to go but it was never
had always wanted to go but it was never
had always wanted to go but it was never really supposed to happen because even
really supposed to happen because even
really supposed to happen because even though what I studied lent itself to
though what I studied lent itself to
though what I studied lent itself to government I never seemed able to find
government I never seemed able to find
government I never seemed able to find the right place apply at the right time
the right place apply at the right time
the right place apply at the right time or quite frankly be the right person
or quite frankly be the right person
or quite frankly be the right person until suddenly oddly someone thought I
until suddenly oddly someone thought I
until suddenly oddly someone thought I was my qualifications to work in Kabul
was my qualifications to work in Kabul
was my qualifications to work in Kabul were sufficient but they hardly compared
were sufficient but they hardly compared
were sufficient but they hardly compared to the outstanding accomplishments of my
to the outstanding accomplishments of my
to the outstanding accomplishments of my subject matter expert colleagues what I
subject matter expert colleagues what I
subject matter expert colleagues what I lacked in skill I harbored an enthusiasm
lacked in skill I harbored an enthusiasm
lacked in skill I harbored an enthusiasm for the mission to train advise and
for the mission to train advise and
for the mission to train advise and assist Afghan so there I was I showed up
assist Afghan so there I was I showed up
assist Afghan so there I was I showed up with big ears and eyes and believing and
with big ears and eyes and believing and
with big ears and eyes and believing and winning without knowing like most
winning without knowing like most
winning without knowing like most unfortunately what it takes to win for
unfortunately what it takes to win for
unfortunately what it takes to win for the first seven months I trained the
the first seven months I trained the
the first seven months I trained the trainer instructing coalition advisors
trainer instructing coalition advisors
trainer instructing coalition advisors who in turn assisted Afghan civilians
who in turn assisted Afghan civilians
who in turn assisted Afghan civilians police and military members over time
police and military members over time
police and military members over time though my hopefulness faded and I found
though my hopefulness faded and I found
though my hopefulness faded and I found a sad home in doubt and his trust by
a sad home in doubt and his trust by
a sad home in doubt and his trust by chance I crossed paths with the former
chance I crossed paths with the former
chance I crossed paths with the former governance and rule of law advisor to
governance and rule of law advisor to
governance and rule of law advisor to five previous four-star ICF commanders
five previous four-star ICF commanders
five previous four-star ICF commanders with his mentorship I learned a great
with his mentorship I learned a great
with his mentorship I learned a great deal I sharpened my ability to discern
deal I sharpened my ability to discern
deal I sharpened my ability to discern and I began to deal in realism for the
and I began to deal in realism for the
and I began to deal in realism for the next nine months I worked off base
next nine months I worked off base
next nine months I worked off base directly with Afghans in the end I came
directly with Afghans in the end I came
directly with Afghans in the end I came away with cautious optimism for
away with cautious optimism for
away with cautious optimism for Afghanistan in a real sense and
Afghanistan in a real sense and
Afghanistan in a real sense and appreciation for pragmatism when it
appreciation for pragmatism when it
appreciation for pragmatism when it comes to making a difference bearing in
comes to making a difference bearing in
comes to making a difference bearing in mind that today is about ideas that
mind that today is about ideas that
mind that today is about ideas that challenge us I’d like to share one with
challenge us I’d like to share one with
challenge us I’d like to share one with you that I would have countered with
you that I would have countered with
you that I would have countered with gusto just a few short years ago no no I
gusto just a few short years ago no no I
gusto just a few short years ago no no I would have told you that’s not how it
would have told you that’s not how it
would have told you that’s not how it works any help is better than no help
now I know there are wrong ways to help
now I know there are wrong ways to help my shift in perspective came with those
my shift in perspective came with those
my shift in perspective came with those sixteen formative months in Afghanistan
sixteen formative months in Afghanistan
sixteen formative months in Afghanistan where I saw that sometimes it’s better
where I saw that sometimes it’s better
where I saw that sometimes it’s better not to help at all than to do so
not to help at all than to do so
not to help at all than to do so unwisely challenging though it would be
unwisely challenging though it would be
unwisely challenging though it would be there are no answers for how to fix
there are no answers for how to fix
there are no answers for how to fix Afghanistan today that’s not why we’re
Afghanistan today that’s not why we’re
Afghanistan today that’s not why we’re here instead I have three theories about
here instead I have three theories about
here instead I have three theories about how to help one another and how not to
how to help one another and how not to
how to help one another and how not to help one another whether as states
help one another whether as states
help one another whether as states communities or neighbors well we need to
communities or neighbors well we need to
communities or neighbors well we need to be better at together is recognizing the
be better at together is recognizing the
be better at together is recognizing the help we give is not wanted or working
help we give is not wanted or working
help we give is not wanted or working because there is value in stopping not
because there is value in stopping not
because there is value in stopping not repeating that which consistently fails
repeating that which consistently fails
repeating that which consistently fails help that fails to make a positive
help that fails to make a positive
help that fails to make a positive change my first theory is that bigger is
change my first theory is that bigger is
change my first theory is that bigger is not better nor is more only in some
not better nor is more only in some
not better nor is more only in some cases can success be had by blanketing a
cases can success be had by blanketing a
cases can success be had by blanketing a problem with large sums of money and an
problem with large sums of money and an
problem with large sums of money and an influx of people looking back Great
influx of people looking back Great
influx of people looking back Great Britain’s 18th and 19th century exploits
Britain’s 18th and 19th century exploits
Britain’s 18th and 19th century exploits in Afghanistan were mixed but the
in Afghanistan were mixed but the
in Afghanistan were mixed but the Imperial model overall usually resulted
Imperial model overall usually resulted
Imperial model overall usually resulted in growth for its colonies and one of
in growth for its colonies and one of
in growth for its colonies and one of the reasons for this success was because
the reasons for this success was because
the reasons for this success was because Great Britain deployed a smaller
Great Britain deployed a smaller
Great Britain deployed a smaller footprint of highly qualified
footprint of highly qualified
footprint of highly qualified individuals willing and able to sustain
individuals willing and able to sustain
individuals willing and able to sustain the mission in one place for years on
the mission in one place for years on
the mission in one place for years on end if not their lives the model of the
end if not their lives the model of the
end if not their lives the model of the model if you will was a man named
model if you will was a man named
model if you will was a man named Alexander burns flawed in some respects
Alexander burns flawed in some respects
Alexander burns flawed in some respects but deeply talented in most others Burns
but deeply talented in most others Burns
but deeply talented in most others Burns was the kingdom’s brightest political
was the kingdom’s brightest political
was the kingdom’s brightest political officer to Afghanistan in the 1800’s
officer to Afghanistan in the 1800’s
officer to Afghanistan in the 1800’s that that’s because he he took it upon
that that’s because he he took it upon
that that’s because he he took it upon himself to live among the people he
himself to live among the people he
himself to live among the people he learned the language and he spoke it
learned the language and he spoke it
learned the language and he spoke it fluently he knew the culture intimately
fluently he knew the culture intimately
fluently he knew the culture intimately he wrote prolifically about his travel
he wrote prolifically about his travel
he wrote prolifically about his travel and experiences and his copious notes
and experiences and his copious notes
and experiences and his copious notes went on to better explain Afghan
went on to better explain Afghan
went on to better explain Afghan people’s tribes and ways of life and
people’s tribes and ways of life and
people’s tribes and ways of life and they are still referenced today Burns
they are still referenced today Burns
they are still referenced today Burns was much like Lawrence of Arabia both of
was much like Lawrence of Arabia both of
was much like Lawrence of Arabia both of them career
them career
them career British statesman in one place they
British statesman in one place they
British statesman in one place they didn’t just balance the books they were
didn’t just balance the books they were
didn’t just balance the books they were there to ensure that colonial governance
there to ensure that colonial governance
there to ensure that colonial governance functions smoothly day to day and their
functions smoothly day to day and their
functions smoothly day to day and their approach was anthropologists like
approach was anthropologists like
approach was anthropologists like because they were patient and happy to
because they were patient and happy to
because they were patient and happy to live with like the people this made all
live with like the people this made all
live with like the people this made all the difference
the difference
the difference fast forward to late 2001 to the West
fast forward to late 2001 to the West
fast forward to late 2001 to the West arrival in Afghanistan since then in 15
arrival in Afghanistan since then in 15
arrival in Afghanistan since then in 15 years literally millions of foreigners
years literally millions of foreigners
years literally millions of foreigners have rotated in and then rotated back
have rotated in and then rotated back
have rotated in and then rotated back out
out
out this modern revolving door of personnel
this modern revolving door of personnel
this modern revolving door of personnel strains the crucial cultural element
strains the crucial cultural element
strains the crucial cultural element needed in Afghanistan above all else and
needed in Afghanistan above all else and
needed in Afghanistan above all else and that’s trust in counterinsurgency clear
that’s trust in counterinsurgency clear
that’s trust in counterinsurgency clear hold build depends as much on human
hold build depends as much on human
hold build depends as much on human capital as it does on financial capital
capital as it does on financial capital
capital as it does on financial capital and both can be misused I would argue
and both can be misused I would argue
and both can be misused I would argue controversial maybe perhaps people
controversial maybe perhaps people
controversial maybe perhaps people should be screened before they go to
should be screened before they go to
should be screened before they go to execute the strategy do they really care
execute the strategy do they really care
execute the strategy do they really care about winning hearts and minds in my
about winning hearts and minds in my
about winning hearts and minds in my time as a trainer in Kabul I met more
time as a trainer in Kabul I met more
time as a trainer in Kabul I met more than a few who did not care once while
than a few who did not care once while
than a few who did not care once while leading a session on Afghan culture and
leading a session on Afghan culture and
leading a session on Afghan culture and the importance of greeting one another
the importance of greeting one another
the importance of greeting one another greeting their counterparts in dari the
greeting their counterparts in dari the
greeting their counterparts in dari the local language a DoD civilian rolled her
local language a DoD civilian rolled her
local language a DoD civilian rolled her eyes and interjected why should we say
eyes and interjected why should we say
eyes and interjected why should we say hello to them what have they ever done
hello to them what have they ever done
hello to them what have they ever done for us I was shocked
for us I was shocked
for us I was shocked mostly I was discouraged the mission is
mostly I was discouraged the mission is
mostly I was discouraged the mission is to help Afghans in Afghanistan if you
to help Afghans in Afghanistan if you
to help Afghans in Afghanistan if you cannot bring yourself to say hello what
cannot bring yourself to say hello what
cannot bring yourself to say hello what are you doing here
are you doing here
are you doing here [Music]
[Music]
[Music] it made me wonder money-wise millions of
it made me wonder money-wise millions of
it made me wonder money-wise millions of dollars are spent per hour in
dollars are spent per hour in
dollars are spent per hour in Afghanistan a great many things have
Afghanistan a great many things have
Afghanistan a great many things have been done with this amount though not
been done with this amount though not
been done with this amount though not without error issues began when instead
without error issues began when instead
without error issues began when instead of asking how much to borrow this land
of asking how much to borrow this land
of asking how much to borrow this land often the modus operandi was to transfer
often the modus operandi was to transfer
often the modus operandi was to transfer cash when additional space was needed at
cash when additional space was needed at
cash when additional space was needed at a later time or in another space there
a later time or in another space there
a later time or in another space there was less maneuverability to negotiate
was less maneuverability to negotiate
was less maneuverability to negotiate the West’s habit of paying exorbitant
the West’s habit of paying exorbitant
the West’s habit of paying exorbitant sums in a country with his staggering
sums in a country with his staggering
sums in a country with his staggering poverty as Afghanistan it went on to
poverty as Afghanistan it went on to
poverty as Afghanistan it went on to limit our long-term sustainability
limit our long-term sustainability
limit our long-term sustainability influenced expectations on both sides
influenced expectations on both sides
influenced expectations on both sides and affect their culture always
and affect their culture always
and affect their culture always problematic in Afghanistan is a penchant
problematic in Afghanistan is a penchant
problematic in Afghanistan is a penchant for graft tidal waves of money made it
for graft tidal waves of money made it
for graft tidal waves of money made it worse corruption has been deemed the
worse corruption has been deemed the
worse corruption has been deemed the most significant threat to stability in
most significant threat to stability in
most significant threat to stability in Afghanistan two examples spring to mind
Afghanistan two examples spring to mind
Afghanistan two examples spring to mind here one quite big and well known the
here one quite big and well known the
here one quite big and well known the other less so but more prevalent first
other less so but more prevalent first
other less so but more prevalent first Kabul Bank was new to the development
Kabul Bank was new to the development
Kabul Bank was new to the development scene in the early 2000s by 2010 just
scene in the early 2000s by 2010 just
scene in the early 2000s by 2010 just under 1 billion dollars had been
under 1 billion dollars had been
under 1 billion dollars had been swindled from its depositors by the
swindled from its depositors by the
swindled from its depositors by the Afghan elite second an Afghan military
Afghan elite second an Afghan military
Afghan elite second an Afghan military commander part of a training facility
commander part of a training facility
commander part of a training facility agreed to build a separation barrier
agreed to build a separation barrier
agreed to build a separation barrier between male and female barracks because
between male and female barracks because
between male and female barracks because the women were being harassed this was a
the women were being harassed this was a
the women were being harassed this was a project to be done with foreign funds
project to be done with foreign funds
project to be done with foreign funds when the money was allocated he took it
when the money was allocated he took it
when the money was allocated he took it and he built himself a personal pool
and he built himself a personal pool
and he built himself a personal pool people are an investment when it comes
people are an investment when it comes
people are an investment when it comes to helping others especially in
to helping others especially in
to helping others especially in Afghanistan where there is nothing
Afghanistan where there is nothing
Afghanistan where there is nothing without trust what would it be like to
without trust what would it be like to
without trust what would it be like to scale down the mission go back to those
scale down the mission go back to those
scale down the mission go back to those willing and able to live work among
willing and able to live work among
willing and able to live work among Afghans for the long haul I think there
Afghans for the long haul I think there
Afghans for the long haul I think there would be value in that old-fashioned
would be value in that old-fashioned
would be value in that old-fashioned diplomacy it would cost less there would
diplomacy it would cost less there would
diplomacy it would cost less there would be less opportunity to steal
be less opportunity to steal
be less opportunity to steal and I bet there’s a strong chance that
and I bet there’s a strong chance that
and I bet there’s a strong chance that Afghans would enjoy more stability than
Afghans would enjoy more stability than
Afghans would enjoy more stability than they do now my second theory is that
they do now my second theory is that
they do now my second theory is that change is restricted when change is
change is restricted when change is
change is restricted when change is forced during the Taliban there were no
forced during the Taliban there were no
forced during the Taliban there were no women’s rights in Afghanistan
women’s rights in Afghanistan
women’s rights in Afghanistan Afghanistan still ranks among the lowest
Afghanistan still ranks among the lowest
Afghanistan still ranks among the lowest in the world at gender equality and
in the world at gender equality and
in the world at gender equality and integration in March 2015 a young woman
integration in March 2015 a young woman
integration in March 2015 a young woman named for Honda was violent and killed
named for Honda was violent and killed
named for Honda was violent and killed by a mob in downtown Kabul President
by a mob in downtown Kabul President
by a mob in downtown Kabul President Ghani promised justice when in reality
Ghani promised justice when in reality
Ghani promised justice when in reality the lawyer representing the victim’s
the lawyer representing the victim’s
the lawyer representing the victim’s family was quietly asked to step down
family was quietly asked to step down
family was quietly asked to step down from the highest levels of government
from the highest levels of government
from the highest levels of government judicial proceedings for the men and
judicial proceedings for the men and
judicial proceedings for the men and some women actually who beat farkhunda
some women actually who beat farkhunda
some women actually who beat farkhunda who ran her over and dragged her by car
who ran her over and dragged her by car
who ran her over and dragged her by car and then lit her body on fire were
and then lit her body on fire were
and then lit her body on fire were appalling there were hundreds in that
appalling there were hundreds in that
appalling there were hundreds in that crowd only 49 were accused less than
crowd only 49 were accused less than
crowd only 49 were accused less than half were formally charged and every
half were formally charged and every
half were formally charged and every sentence was later reduced unfortunately
sentence was later reduced unfortunately
sentence was later reduced unfortunately too many conservative Afghans women just
too many conservative Afghans women just
too many conservative Afghans women just do not have the same rights or worth as
do not have the same rights or worth as
do not have the same rights or worth as men even so there is concentrated effort
men even so there is concentrated effort
men even so there is concentrated effort by the West for Afghanistan to
by the West for Afghanistan to
by the West for Afghanistan to incorporate women into its national
incorporate women into its national
incorporate women into its national security apparatus in order to do that
security apparatus in order to do that
security apparatus in order to do that Afghanistan has agreed to implement
Afghanistan has agreed to implement
Afghanistan has agreed to implement international law in the form of a UN
international law in the form of a UN
international law in the form of a UN Security Council resolution that enables
Security Council resolution that enables
Security Council resolution that enables women to participate in post-conflict
women to participate in post-conflict
women to participate in post-conflict reconstruction now there are some who
reconstruction now there are some who
reconstruction now there are some who genuinely wants and actively strive
genuinely wants and actively strive
genuinely wants and actively strive toward gender integration in Afghanistan
toward gender integration in Afghanistan
toward gender integration in Afghanistan but this decidedly new initiative is not
but this decidedly new initiative is not
but this decidedly new initiative is not as idealistic as one would hope in fact
as idealistic as one would hope in fact
as idealistic as one would hope in fact its bolstered in large part by
its bolstered in large part by
its bolstered in large part by substantial financial incentive as seen
substantial financial incentive as seen
substantial financial incentive as seen in the last case of that missing
in the last case of that missing
in the last case of that missing separation barrier Afghan women are
separation barrier Afghan women are
separation barrier Afghan women are primarily seen as wives and mothers and
primarily seen as wives and mothers and
primarily seen as wives and mothers and often physically separated from men who
often physically separated from men who
often physically separated from men who are not family to include women in
are not family to include women in
are not family to include women in uniform like men with men makes for a
uniform like men with men makes for a
uniform like men with men makes for a sudden switch it’s a presume to us for
sudden switch it’s a presume to us for
sudden switch it’s a presume to us for foreigners to come in and announce we
foreigners to come in and announce we
foreigners to come in and announce we have women in our armed forces so should
have women in our armed forces so should
have women in our armed forces so should you
that’s misrepresentative of real change
that’s misrepresentative of real change I think real change is not that easy and
I think real change is not that easy and
I think real change is not that easy and here’s why
here’s why
here’s why in 2010 the Afghan government set a real
in 2010 the Afghan government set a real
in 2010 the Afghan government set a real ambitious goal we want 10% of the
ambitious goal we want 10% of the
ambitious goal we want 10% of the National Defense and security forces to
National Defense and security forces to
National Defense and security forces to be women in ten years five years into
be women in ten years five years into
be women in ten years five years into that goal 0.5% of the army was women and
that goal 0.5% of the army was women and
that goal 0.5% of the army was women and 1.5 percent of the police was women they
1.5 percent of the police was women they
1.5 percent of the police was women they have since gone back to the drawing
have since gone back to the drawing
have since gone back to the drawing board on that to find a goal that is
board on that to find a goal that is
board on that to find a goal that is more feasible for Afghanistan at the
more feasible for Afghanistan at the
more feasible for Afghanistan at the highest levels of government there is
highest levels of government there is
highest levels of government there is support for gender integration at the
support for gender integration at the
support for gender integration at the micro level sharing authority with women
micro level sharing authority with women
micro level sharing authority with women is not popular as a consequence Afghan
is not popular as a consequence Afghan
is not popular as a consequence Afghan service women have serious complaints
service women have serious complaints
service women have serious complaints passed over for promotion no facilities
passed over for promotion no facilities
passed over for promotion no facilities verbal harassment abuse threats hearing
verbal harassment abuse threats hearing
verbal harassment abuse threats hearing about the challenges of Afghan service
about the challenges of Afghan service
about the challenges of Afghan service women directly from Afghan service women
women directly from Afghan service women
women directly from Afghan service women got me thinking and it got to me
got me thinking and it got to me
got me thinking and it got to me mostly what if this kind of push for
mostly what if this kind of push for
mostly what if this kind of push for this kind of gender integration
this kind of gender integration
this kind of gender integration admirable though it is is too much too
admirable though it is is too much too
admirable though it is is too much too soon if there is more harm than good in
soon if there is more harm than good in
soon if there is more harm than good in action right now maybe there is more
action right now maybe there is more
action right now maybe there is more good than harm and utility in
good than harm and utility in
good than harm and utility in old-fashioned conversation think of it
old-fashioned conversation think of it
old-fashioned conversation think of it like ink blotting one conversation is
like ink blotting one conversation is
like ink blotting one conversation is one dot over time that dot gains
one dot over time that dot gains
one dot over time that dot gains traction a little bit by itself but once
traction a little bit by itself but once
traction a little bit by itself but once it hits other dots of ink it grows it
it hits other dots of ink it grows it
it hits other dots of ink it grows it becomes a blot in order to have women in
becomes a blot in order to have women in
becomes a blot in order to have women in the in the services in Afghanistan
the in the services in Afghanistan
the in the services in Afghanistan there’s a prerequisite a woman cannot
there’s a prerequisite a woman cannot
there’s a prerequisite a woman cannot sign up by herself she has to have the
sign up by herself she has to have the
sign up by herself she has to have the permission of her father brother or her
permission of her father brother or her
permission of her father brother or her husband that’s why this is called gender
husband that’s why this is called gender
husband that’s why this is called gender integration both of them that’s why it’s
integration both of them that’s why it’s
integration both of them that’s why it’s important to create that exposure first
important to create that exposure first
important to create that exposure first if you’re going to have Afghan women
if you’re going to have Afghan women
if you’re going to have Afghan women serving their country perhaps having
serving their country perhaps having
serving their country perhaps having weapons this is a drastically different
weapons this is a drastically different
weapons this is a drastically different thing you need to talk about it first
thing you need to talk about it first
thing you need to talk about it first ergo the value of all encompassing
ergo the value of all encompassing
ergo the value of all encompassing conversation
conversation
conversation whereby you introduce an idea to a
whereby you introduce an idea to a
whereby you introduce an idea to a people before that idea simply manifests
people before that idea simply manifests
people before that idea simply manifests itself before people can accept it my
itself before people can accept it my
itself before people can accept it my third theory is that there are cultural
third theory is that there are cultural
third theory is that there are cultural limits to what is possible and that this
limits to what is possible and that this
limits to what is possible and that this is actually okay being a new person in a
is actually okay being a new person in a
is actually okay being a new person in a new place is about being aware who is in
new place is about being aware who is in
new place is about being aware who is in the same space how do they interact this
the same space how do they interact this
the same space how do they interact this takes a lot of looking and listening
takes a lot of looking and listening
takes a lot of looking and listening because as a change agent you’re
because as a change agent you’re
because as a change agent you’re expected to fit into that setting you
expected to fit into that setting you
expected to fit into that setting you are expected to respect that culture and
are expected to respect that culture and
are expected to respect that culture and adapt to it as best as you can
adapt to it as best as you can
adapt to it as best as you can regrettably many change agents show up
regrettably many change agents show up
regrettably many change agents show up and ask what are my goals according to
and ask what are my goals according to
and ask what are my goals according to what I know when the wiser question is
what I know when the wiser question is
what I know when the wiser question is what are realistic goals according to
what are realistic goals according to
what are realistic goals according to the host audience and their culture some
the host audience and their culture some
the host audience and their culture some years ago there were reports that
years ago there were reports that
years ago there were reports that coalition personnel working with a
coalition personnel working with a
coalition personnel working with a village without local access to water
village without local access to water
village without local access to water bill to well in that village to help it
bill to well in that village to help it
bill to well in that village to help it seemed logical it was part of
seemed logical it was part of
seemed logical it was part of counterinsurgency strategy to assist
counterinsurgency strategy to assist
counterinsurgency strategy to assist rural villages later when coalition
rural villages later when coalition
rural villages later when coalition personnel returned they found the well
personnel returned they found the well
personnel returned they found the well destroyed those of you who have seen
destroyed those of you who have seen
destroyed those of you who have seen Tina Fey and whiskey-tango-foxtrot may
Tina Fey and whiskey-tango-foxtrot may
Tina Fey and whiskey-tango-foxtrot may already be familiar now the reports they
already be familiar now the reports they
already be familiar now the reports they suggested that village women were to
suggested that village women were to
suggested that village women were to blame because they couldn’t walk and
blame because they couldn’t walk and
blame because they couldn’t walk and talk on their way to get water had a
talk on their way to get water had a
talk on their way to get water had a woman that involved in this an Afghan
woman that involved in this an Afghan
woman that involved in this an Afghan woman been involved in the
woman been involved in the
woman been involved in the decision-making maybe the outcome would
decision-making maybe the outcome would
decision-making maybe the outcome would have been different I would argue that’s
have been different I would argue that’s
have been different I would argue that’s that’s probably a measure that’s too
that’s probably a measure that’s too
that’s probably a measure that’s too much too soon for Afghanistan and for
much too soon for Afghanistan and for
much too soon for Afghanistan and for conservative rural areas which accounts
conservative rural areas which accounts
conservative rural areas which accounts for 80% of the population had someone
for 80% of the population had someone
for 80% of the population had someone been present someone else a foreigner
been present someone else a foreigner
been present someone else a foreigner maybe who knew more about Afghan women
maybe who knew more about Afghan women
maybe who knew more about Afghan women and village culture we could have
and village culture we could have
and village culture we could have avoided the security risk for one and we
avoided the security risk for one and we
avoided the security risk for one and we could have saved money spent on an
could have saved money spent on an
could have saved money spent on an unwanted well to be a respected change
unwanted well to be a respected change
unwanted well to be a respected change agent you have to know an audience so
agent you have to know an audience so
agent you have to know an audience so well as to know what goals are
well as to know what goals are
well as to know what goals are appropriate what goals will challenge
appropriate what goals will challenge
appropriate what goals will challenge their cult
their cult
their cult but also drive it forward in a quiet way
but also drive it forward in a quiet way
but also drive it forward in a quiet way you have to be willing to guide that
you have to be willing to guide that
you have to be willing to guide that audience many people at one time toured
audience many people at one time toured
audience many people at one time toured and through that goal with confidence it
and through that goal with confidence it
and through that goal with confidence it takes a lot of looking and listening and
takes a lot of looking and listening and
takes a lot of looking and listening and adapting because they’re not going to
adapting because they’re not going to
adapting because they’re not going to adapt to you it’s on you as the guest to
adapt to you it’s on you as the guest to
adapt to you it’s on you as the guest to adapt and there are entirely too many
adapt and there are entirely too many
adapt and there are entirely too many change agents who don’t but that’s
change agents who don’t but that’s
change agents who don’t but that’s what’s expected of you you have to know
what’s expected of you you have to know
what’s expected of you you have to know when to improvise when to modify your
when to improvise when to modify your
when to improvise when to modify your goal when to scrap it and start
goal when to scrap it and start
goal when to scrap it and start completely from scratch or do more
completely from scratch or do more
completely from scratch or do more research in April 2015 after that
research in April 2015 after that
research in April 2015 after that conference I got a chance to visit a
conference I got a chance to visit a
conference I got a chance to visit a Kabul orphanage and in our multiple
Kabul orphanage and in our multiple
Kabul orphanage and in our multiple convoys we carried monster sized boxes
convoys we carried monster sized boxes
convoys we carried monster sized boxes brimming with different kinds of toys
brimming with different kinds of toys
brimming with different kinds of toys the children all 88 of them were
the children all 88 of them were
the children all 88 of them were overjoyed to see us and us them and then
overjoyed to see us and us them and then
overjoyed to see us and us them and then they saw the toys and then chaos because
they saw the toys and then chaos because
they saw the toys and then chaos because they had nothing they wanted everything
they had nothing they wanted everything
they had nothing they wanted everything we were so looking forward to going
we were so looking forward to going
we were so looking forward to going there to meeting them to seeing young
there to meeting them to seeing young
there to meeting them to seeing young people giving them something we thought
people giving them something we thought
people giving them something we thought they would like but we hadn’t
they would like but we hadn’t
they would like but we hadn’t coordinated our gift with the orphanage
coordinated our gift with the orphanage
coordinated our gift with the orphanage staff so we didn’t know and we didn’t
staff so we didn’t know and we didn’t
staff so we didn’t know and we didn’t think that bringing toys would also
think that bringing toys would also
think that bringing toys would also bring mayhem two months later we packed
bring mayhem two months later we packed
bring mayhem two months later we packed 88 mostly the same school kits the boys
88 mostly the same school kits the boys
88 mostly the same school kits the boys and girls were happy we were happy it
and girls were happy we were happy it
and girls were happy we were happy it was simple it worked
was simple it worked
was simple it worked changing course with the kids was a
changing course with the kids was a
changing course with the kids was a reminder that big go big this this does
reminder that big go big this this does
reminder that big go big this this does not always apply and I know we like to
not always apply and I know we like to
not always apply and I know we like to apply it but it doesn’t work all the
apply it but it doesn’t work all the
apply it but it doesn’t work all the time it’s a reminder that force change
time it’s a reminder that force change
time it’s a reminder that force change tends to be inadequate and it’s a
tends to be inadequate and it’s a
tends to be inadequate and it’s a reminder that there are assistance goals
reminder that there are assistance goals
reminder that there are assistance goals somehow I made it to Afghanistan and
somehow I made it to Afghanistan and
somehow I made it to Afghanistan and what I learned and internalized is that
what I learned and internalized is that
what I learned and internalized is that there are many ways people can make
there are many ways people can make
there are many ways people can make change and help not all of which are
change and help not all of which are
change and help not all of which are effective are appropriate for instance
effective are appropriate for instance
effective are appropriate for instance you can
you can
you can blast Rock to radically alter a
blast Rock to radically alter a
blast Rock to radically alter a landscape or you can learn to control
landscape or you can learn to control
landscape or you can learn to control explosions as in the kinds inside our
explosions as in the kinds inside our
explosions as in the kinds inside our car engines that propel us and others
car engines that propel us and others
car engines that propel us and others forward making and managing those bursts
forward making and managing those bursts
forward making and managing those bursts of change among people takes profound
of change among people takes profound
of change among people takes profound dedication helping Afghanistan it’s the
dedication helping Afghanistan it’s the
dedication helping Afghanistan it’s the macro version of helping others where
macro version of helping others where
macro version of helping others where the micro rule still applies help others
the micro rule still applies help others
the micro rule still applies help others for the sake of helping them what Plato
for the sake of helping them what Plato
for the sake of helping them what Plato would describe is truly noble and
would describe is truly noble and
would describe is truly noble and morally right the only real reason to
morally right the only real reason to
morally right the only real reason to give help helping others for the sake of
give help helping others for the sake of
give help helping others for the sake of helping them forces us URI as a system
helping them forces us URI as a system
helping them forces us URI as a system as change agents to be more deliberate
as change agents to be more deliberate
as change agents to be more deliberate and if that’s not our reason it’s likely
and if that’s not our reason it’s likely
and if that’s not our reason it’s likely the wrong way to help from the get-go
the wrong way to help from the get-go
the wrong way to help from the get-go and that’s a problem for the change
and that’s a problem for the change
and that’s a problem for the change agent not the audience a slower
agent not the audience a slower
agent not the audience a slower old-fashioned road may very well lead us
old-fashioned road may very well lead us
old-fashioned road may very well lead us to more valuable ways to inspire others
to more valuable ways to inspire others
to more valuable ways to inspire others to create and control those bursts of
to create and control those bursts of
to create and control those bursts of change for themselves
change for themselves
change for themselves and not be afraid of it that’s when help
and not be afraid of it that’s when help
and not be afraid of it that’s when help is right and when lasting change is
is right and when lasting change is
is right and when lasting change is possible thank you
”
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