Thanks to Nobel Committee in the next few days the world will talk about Barack Obama and why he won the Peace Nobel Prize. The official explanation was: “The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples.”
In the rest of the official announcement we can find same other arguments for Obama like:
- Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons
- Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics
- Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position
- Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving international conflicts
- The vision of a world free from nuclear arms
So the question that world is asking today is – ok all of this is nice, but is it enough to get the prize? Until I will get to my opinion in this field, I want to open the new topic – how does it happen that Obama got a nomination. There is a very limited group of people who can submit the nomination to Oslo. Only presidents of the countries, parliaments and I guess prime ministers and do it. It mean that only the country authorities can propose someone for nomination. I am so curious which country nominated Barack Obama? For sure it was not United States of America…
Barack Obama is a very good diplomat, and actually even during the elections there was a big hope that he will positively influence the climate of the international community. Right now I have no idea what is he doing with domestic policy, but I appreciate his foreign policy a lot. For me the most important action of Barack Obama was to cancel building elements of the missile defence system in Poland. It shows that he prefers the way of dialogue not armament. As well this action is a very important step in the relation with Russia and Iran, having in mind that those countries were extremely against it.
As well Obama is trying to be a part of the Middle East peace process. He express it during his first days of the presidency, when the first person he officially called was the prime minister of Palestine. Then we have his visits in the Middle East with the famous speech in Cairo. Actually it was not famous in Europe, not at all, but I spent the whole summer in Egypt and I was talking to many strangers of the street, and same friends, different people in general. The topic of Obama’s speech in Cairo was coming back very often, and always with a big hopes.
Let’s be honest. Right now Obama is the most influential person in the only world superpower, what mean in the whole world. And we all know that actions of the US president are important. Looking backward of the last 8 years of the Bush presidency we can see the difference between them, how much the world depends on their actions, words and even small gestures! Obama is taking his chances, is making a small steps in the direction to peace. Yes he is doing nothing special, noting that isn’t part of his everyday “job description”, but he is doing it in a right way – the way of dialogue. So maybe Obama doesn’t deserve this prize, but the world does.
For me this Nobel Prize has to meanings – first it is antiBush prize, that shows the world that we didn’t like the politics of Bush and his administration, and that is example for the world leaders what not to do. Secondly, it is prize for the world and the future. It is almost like with Al Gore and climate change, the prize was awarded to show the world the direction, to appreciate the small things that make a real change, to underline same good practices in the international community that are implemented right now. This is not a prize for Barack Obama, it is a prize for dialogue and mutual understanding as a tool for achieving peace.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Koszmarowa chellange
Same people may think that studying is difficult, that you have to spend hours in the library, read a lot of book, memorize tons of theory, prepare special project, write thesis etc. My university is a special case. We have one additional challenge and when you complete it everything else seems to be a pace of cake.
I tried to complete this mission today, it was hard but I survived. I woke up few minutes after 6 a.m. it was totally dark outside. I just collect my stuff and run out not to miss my bus. There are only 2 per hour and sometimes are coming to early, sometimes very late, sometimes not at all. But recently I am lucky, it takes me only 30 minutes to get to the city center and from time to time I have even place to sit down.
It’s getting complicated later, when I have to change the bus. At first short walk to the next bus stop and then waiting. There is only one bus going directly to Koszmarowa, and students from five different institutes who wants to get in. You never know when and if it will come…
When you see the bus coming into your direction it means it’s time to get ready. It’s always good to take same cloths off, hide everything in your bag, grab it into your hand, find a good spot and wait. The bus is always full. You cannot be sure that you will get in. It is important to be fast, push people as much as possible, and if you manage to put one fit in the bus, but you are out and doors cannot close because of you, don’t give up, you can always push people more.
It is so good feeling to look outside, see this bunch of people angry that they didn’t get in and knowing that you have a chance to be on time. In this moment nothing bothers you, even the different smells of sweat, and that people are touching you everywhere and pushing, twisting and so one. It is sometimes painful when the bus makes the turn and all the people are falling on each other.
Usually it is consider as a luck be close to doors, because on each stop you have a chance to get same fresh air or feel the cold breeze from outside. But being close to the door means as well that you might be kick out from the bus (for example if someone wants to get out) and never come back again.
Koszmarowa is a last stop. Usually the bas never comes on time because of the traffic and long breaks on each stop. And even after this sacrifice, extremely tired, smelly and in pain you may not get into the class because you came few minutes to late.
btw. KOSZMARowa literally means nightmare :)
I tried to complete this mission today, it was hard but I survived. I woke up few minutes after 6 a.m. it was totally dark outside. I just collect my stuff and run out not to miss my bus. There are only 2 per hour and sometimes are coming to early, sometimes very late, sometimes not at all. But recently I am lucky, it takes me only 30 minutes to get to the city center and from time to time I have even place to sit down.
It’s getting complicated later, when I have to change the bus. At first short walk to the next bus stop and then waiting. There is only one bus going directly to Koszmarowa, and students from five different institutes who wants to get in. You never know when and if it will come…
When you see the bus coming into your direction it means it’s time to get ready. It’s always good to take same cloths off, hide everything in your bag, grab it into your hand, find a good spot and wait. The bus is always full. You cannot be sure that you will get in. It is important to be fast, push people as much as possible, and if you manage to put one fit in the bus, but you are out and doors cannot close because of you, don’t give up, you can always push people more.
It is so good feeling to look outside, see this bunch of people angry that they didn’t get in and knowing that you have a chance to be on time. In this moment nothing bothers you, even the different smells of sweat, and that people are touching you everywhere and pushing, twisting and so one. It is sometimes painful when the bus makes the turn and all the people are falling on each other.
Usually it is consider as a luck be close to doors, because on each stop you have a chance to get same fresh air or feel the cold breeze from outside. But being close to the door means as well that you might be kick out from the bus (for example if someone wants to get out) and never come back again.
Koszmarowa is a last stop. Usually the bas never comes on time because of the traffic and long breaks on each stop. And even after this sacrifice, extremely tired, smelly and in pain you may not get into the class because you came few minutes to late.
btw. KOSZMARowa literally means nightmare :)
Friday, October 2, 2009
What really happened in Agamy?
Agamy was my neighborhood. It is a place in Egypt, part of the city Alexandria in Egypt, but most of the people count it as something separate, because to get there you have to spend around 45 minutes in the bus, or take a car and use highway. A lot of locals called Agamy the Egyptian Ibiza, because of the specific atmosphere of this place.
Agamy is it not like part of the city. It is typical holiday place, where rich people from Alex and Cairo have their summer houses. It is famous of the beaches as well, although I didn’t enjoy it that much, and clubs. If anyone who is reading this actually was in the European summer spot believe me it is not the same, but for the Egyptian conditions – yes they have places to go out, to buy beer and a lot of people hanging out late at night.
I used to live in the most adventurous/cosmopolitan/fancy place in Agamy – Bianky (Bitash). What surprised me there is that I really couldn’t feel there like in Egypt. I am not sure if I have ever seen veiled women over there (besides cashiers working in Fathalla and nannies of the rich kids), but for sure I have seen a lot of people walking in the swimming suits back homes, kids (for me maximum 14) who where pouring out pepsi on the sand, just to hide still cold Heineken in the same can and drink it next to their parents. I smelled a lot of drugs, especially Thursday and Friday nights walking next to Fathalla (supermarket), I could find there around 50 totally high teenagers. And of course even around 2-3 am I could find kids that I was working with left alone, racing in their beach buggies and who were around 12 years old.
Yes Agamy it was the place in Egypt famous of sex, drugs and alcohol, and not thanks to foreign tourists
In the same time me and three other girls from Europe (The Netherlands and Greece) were living in the nice apartment on the street number one. We had out good and bad moments, we were going to parties, or just hanging out, we were going to swim and of course to work (from time to time), we were dancing in out apartment, cooking and having the morning coffee (at least two of us), we were making new friends, we had own dramas, we were simply trying to have fun and enjoy our summer together.
So after this introduction you might be curious what really happened? What is this post for?
Well, we were there officially on the Aiesec internship (maybe later about it). During our first days we were just told how dangerous is everything, same people (younger then us) tried to make same restrictions, don’t let us go out alone, don’t let us invite people over – especially boys, they were freaking out when they got to know that we took the bus to Alex downtown. But they told us only what we cannot do, they didn’t offer (suggest) anything besides drinking with them. So we had out own, very normal, nice life.
Just before I left one of those people came to a friend of mine who was sometimes part of our life Agamy life, and he announced: “I know what happened this summer in Agamy”. Then I was trying to think what he might be referring to, and I realized I really had interesting summer.
I will discover more details from our Agamy life soon…
Agamy is it not like part of the city. It is typical holiday place, where rich people from Alex and Cairo have their summer houses. It is famous of the beaches as well, although I didn’t enjoy it that much, and clubs. If anyone who is reading this actually was in the European summer spot believe me it is not the same, but for the Egyptian conditions – yes they have places to go out, to buy beer and a lot of people hanging out late at night.
I used to live in the most adventurous/cosmopolitan/fancy place in Agamy – Bianky (Bitash). What surprised me there is that I really couldn’t feel there like in Egypt. I am not sure if I have ever seen veiled women over there (besides cashiers working in Fathalla and nannies of the rich kids), but for sure I have seen a lot of people walking in the swimming suits back homes, kids (for me maximum 14) who where pouring out pepsi on the sand, just to hide still cold Heineken in the same can and drink it next to their parents. I smelled a lot of drugs, especially Thursday and Friday nights walking next to Fathalla (supermarket), I could find there around 50 totally high teenagers. And of course even around 2-3 am I could find kids that I was working with left alone, racing in their beach buggies and who were around 12 years old.
Yes Agamy it was the place in Egypt famous of sex, drugs and alcohol, and not thanks to foreign tourists
In the same time me and three other girls from Europe (The Netherlands and Greece) were living in the nice apartment on the street number one. We had out good and bad moments, we were going to parties, or just hanging out, we were going to swim and of course to work (from time to time), we were dancing in out apartment, cooking and having the morning coffee (at least two of us), we were making new friends, we had own dramas, we were simply trying to have fun and enjoy our summer together.
So after this introduction you might be curious what really happened? What is this post for?
Well, we were there officially on the Aiesec internship (maybe later about it). During our first days we were just told how dangerous is everything, same people (younger then us) tried to make same restrictions, don’t let us go out alone, don’t let us invite people over – especially boys, they were freaking out when they got to know that we took the bus to Alex downtown. But they told us only what we cannot do, they didn’t offer (suggest) anything besides drinking with them. So we had out own, very normal, nice life.
Just before I left one of those people came to a friend of mine who was sometimes part of our life Agamy life, and he announced: “I know what happened this summer in Agamy”. Then I was trying to think what he might be referring to, and I realized I really had interesting summer.
I will discover more details from our Agamy life soon…
Good to be back
I went out earlier. Someone offered me a ride but I didn't take it. I was going to meet same friends in on of the bars in the city center, but before that I really wanted to enjoy my city, again.
It has been 3 months since the last time I was anonymous, person in the crowd, that no one is looking at (or I would rather say staring at me), that can walk fast or slow, depends on the mood, stop next to each bookstore, have a big smile on the face. And all of this without even suspicious that someone is following, looking or other strange things. And I bought earrings and necklace on the street. Then my mood was even better.
This time I was observing people. Well I am doing it often, but this time I could observe different people. This day I found the first difference between Wroclaw and Alexandria. I realized that here we have more diversity on the street. During the short walk I have seen girl in the amazing dress (red one with flowers) on the bike, few people in suits running somewhere, two very low class guys wearing dresses (fake adidas), people with dreadlocks, blond, brunets, black hair people, people with earrings all over the body, the very old couple holding hands, and a big bunch of typical Poles (especially guys) who simply looks ugly.
And the best was, that during the whole walk through the city center no one talked to me. Even when I was buying my earrings the whole conversation was:
me: how much?
answer: 10 PLN
me: fine (I paid); goodbye
and it was all:)
It has been 3 months since the last time I was anonymous, person in the crowd, that no one is looking at (or I would rather say staring at me), that can walk fast or slow, depends on the mood, stop next to each bookstore, have a big smile on the face. And all of this without even suspicious that someone is following, looking or other strange things. And I bought earrings and necklace on the street. Then my mood was even better.
This time I was observing people. Well I am doing it often, but this time I could observe different people. This day I found the first difference between Wroclaw and Alexandria. I realized that here we have more diversity on the street. During the short walk I have seen girl in the amazing dress (red one with flowers) on the bike, few people in suits running somewhere, two very low class guys wearing dresses (fake adidas), people with dreadlocks, blond, brunets, black hair people, people with earrings all over the body, the very old couple holding hands, and a big bunch of typical Poles (especially guys) who simply looks ugly.
And the best was, that during the whole walk through the city center no one talked to me. Even when I was buying my earrings the whole conversation was:
me: how much?
answer: 10 PLN
me: fine (I paid); goodbye
and it was all:)
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