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Dear Reader, 

Here at Nebo this month, we find ourselves astonished and moved by the perspectives and wisdom of the National Geographic Society Explorers. I hope you are enjoying listening, too. Exploration Month continues next Monday with National Geographic Society Explorer Dr. Sasha Kramer on Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life.

Dr. Kramer co-founded and leads SOIL, an organization dedicated to converting waste materials to useful fertilizer in Haiti, a place where both sanitary conditions and soil are sorely needed. Dr. Kramer's vision -- to use discarded waste to empower life and growth -- defines the word "resourceful" for me. 

Last week, Aziz Abu Sarah reminded me that there is always a fresh way of looking at a familiar situation. He called for us to act to make a difference with our lives AND to examine the systems that we take for granted. In his experience, the opportunities for breakthroughs come when we step back and examine the old beliefs that hold that system in place and look for new ideas and attitudes that open up space for change. How does a new dialogue begin between people who don't know how to talk with each other? Poetry. Music. Stories. It makes sense, doesn't it?

Next Monday, I will be out of the country, and Erin Doherty Gregg, whom many know as the talented person who leads client services and operations at Nebo, will be our first guest host. Last year, Erin attended the Explorers' Symposium at National Geographic and came away with the idea to feature the Explorers somehow in our work. The vision for our April series originated with Erin, and I'm thrilled that she will host the conversation with Dr. Sasha Kramer. I can't wait to listen to this one!

Please join Erin for this special hour.  I'll be listening, too.


Very best,



Kate Ebner
CEO
Nebo Company
Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life on VoiceAmerica Business  


Monday, April 16     

11 AM Eastern Time

On VoiceAmerica Business

  

 

    

Turning Apathy and Pollution Into Valuable Resources in Haiti with Dr. Sasha Kramer  

National Geographic Society Explorer, Executive Director of SOIL

 
 
Listen Live on Monday.
Dr. Sasha Kramer 
Dr. Sasha Kramer
National Geographic Explorer 

In 2010, UNICEF reported that only 10% of rural Haitians and less than 25% of those in cities had access to adequate sanitation facilities. People are forced to find ways to dispose of waste, often in the ocean, rivers, ravines, plastic bags, or abandoned houses. At the same time, agricultural output is low due to poor soil fertility, soil erosion and lack of fertilizers. Since 2006, Dr. Sasha Kramer, Executive Director and Co-Founder of SOIL (Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods), has been bringing EcoSAN (Ecological Sanitation) to Haiti - a low-cost approach to sanitation where human wastes are collected, composted and recycled for use in agriculture and reforestation. Recognized by Huffington Post as a "Greatest Person of the Day," the work of this National Geographic Explorer is inspiring. Join Guest Host Erin Doherty Gregg to hear how Dr. Sasha Kramer is working with disempowered people and discarded materials, turning apathy and pollution into valuable resources.  More.

Be inspired. 

Become inspiring.  

 

Missed the Live Show?

Past Episodes are available On Demand and Podcast Ready via iTunes or RSS feed.

Aziz Abu Sarah:  Cracking the Walls that Separate

Halfway through our radio show last week, Aziz noticed that the positivity of his discussion of his work as a peace activist belied the true nature of the work. "Peace isn't easy, " he said seriously. "I'm afraid I'm making it sound too nice." 

While his tone and stories do reflect the natural optimism of this leader's outlook on life, his own story provides plenty of ballast.  Born and raised as a Palestinian in East Jerusalem, Aziz's early life was one of conflict, loss and anger. After losing his beloved older brother to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, young Aziz spent 8 years fighting back. As he put it, "I was exhausted by the weight of my hatred." It wasn't until he took Hebrew classes in order to better survive life in Jerusalem that he met Israelis who were not soldiers. Along with the language, he learned for the first time about the Holocaust, a historical trauma unknown to many Palestinians. As he learned the stories of his Israeli classmates, he saw that they shared common human feelings and experiences. A bus trip to the Holocaust museum with a brave group of Palestinians and Israeli Holocaust survivors marked the beginning of a personal transformation that changed the course of his life. 

Today, Aziz is a cultural innovator, writer, teacher and peace-maker who co-directs the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict at George Mason University and continues to run an innovative tour company called MEJDI Tours that takes people to places where there is conflict and, using two guides, one from each culture who can authentically tell its story, tourists learn both perspectives. Aziz's vision is to invite people to step back, open up to a bigger picture and find the common interests and causes that connect them. He is currently looking at how common economic interests can bring divided peoples together.  As he put it, "I have a vision to transform peace-building into something more pragmatic." 

What has he learned through his work of the past five years? "How important it is to understand the narrative of each place -- the story of each place and its people. Everyone grows up so boxed in his or her own story and narrative. We look at our story as pure fact. In truth, it is nothing more than our story. Even within one community, there are many versions of the narrative.  The lack of recognition of those different narratives causes conflict. When people understand the narratives that are present, intervention and help can be so much more effective." 

Please CLICK HERE to listen to this show and learn about the recognition awarded to his tour company just last week. 
The Inspired LeaderInspired Leader Blog

Many of you have been following Kate's blog, "The Inspired Leader" on Kidscreen.com.  Stay tuned for more blogging from Kate in April as we move the blog to Nebo's website.

Find all blog posts here. 
April 13, 2012  
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In This Issue
Dr. Sasha Kramer on Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life
Cracking the Walls that Separate
The Inspired Leader Blog
Create Your Vision!
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Radio Show

Missed the last show?   

 

Aziz Abu Sarah Listen to Aziz Abu Sarah, Co-Director of the Center for World Religions, Dplomacy & Conflict at George Mason University and National Geographic Society Explorer, on the 4/9/12 episode of Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life with Host Kate Ebner. Aziz shared his vision of using narrative as a way to bridge the differences between conflicting people.  

 

Be inspired. 

Become inspiring
On seeing beyond the usual story of a place... 

   

""I really enjoy doing stuff that nobody has thought about -- that's what gives me the ability to keep going on day after day. I try to think of new perspectives that have been missed. There are quite a few. For example, the fact that conflict resolution exists as a field, but has ignored economics as a big part of it."

Aziz Abu Sarah
Co-Director, Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict at George Mason University
Recommended Resources

Aziz Abu Sarah +972
+972 Magazine

Read Aziz's contributions to this English online magazine bringing independent reporting from Israel and Palestine.

Aziz Abu Sarah Blog
Aziz Abu Sarah's Blog

Aziz Abua Sarah Beyond the Wall  
Beyond the Wall
Marie-France Barrier