(NOTE: This is the first of two posts that examine Afghanistan humanitarian aid and military action – viewed through the lens of “3 Cups of Tea” author, Greg Mortenson. Read the second post here.)
“What Greg understands better than most (and what he practices more than anyone else I know) is the simple truth that all of us are better off when all of us have the opportunity to learn – especially our children. By helping them learn and grow, he’s shaping the very future of a region and giving hope to an entire generation.”
- Admiral Mike Mullen
If you could spend a few hours with your choice of heroes – past or present – whom would you choose?
Last Friday night, I had the unexpected honor of sitting at the table with a man that many people would include on their short list – Nobel Prize nominee Greg Mortenson. Renowned for his book, “3 Cups of Tea,” Greg has used his passion for peace to quietly build a humanitarian juggernaut. He has established more than 130 schools that have educated almost 60,000 children in some of the most violent, remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Greg Mortenson with Afghan school children
And last weekend, this living legend was in Chicago raising awareness and funds for his Central Asia Institute. On Friday night, he led a roundtable of Islamic cultural experts in a fascinating discussion about how and why to expand educational opportunities in Pakistan. Panelists included:
Ambassador Akbar Ahmed – Chair of Islamic Studies at American University and advisor to the U.S. Naval Academy
Owen Bennett-Jones – BBC World Service Correspondent & author of books on the Af/Pak region
Mir Ibrahim Rahman – Founder & CEO of GEO TV Network, Pakistan’s fastest-growing media company
So why was I there? Call it luck. By chance, I had approached Greg’s organization earlier that week, hoping to meet him at a public promotional event for his latest work, Stones into Schools. And miraculously, I was invited not only to attend this private event – but to join the speakers at the host table!
As you can imagine, I walked away inspired and uplifted. And I’d like to share some of that with you.
LESSONS LEARNED
If you read my blog or my book, you know I’m no authority on Af/Pak affairs. And I’m certainly no dignitary. I’m merely one of many concerned Americans who volunteered to serve our military in that region, hoping to help people reclaim their lives from the Taliban’s choke-hold.
In short – I had nothing of great value to offer this room filled with humanitarians, scholars and educators. Regardless, I was warmly welcomed. This was a “teachable moment” for me. And here are the key takeaway points:
Lesson 1 – Credentials are good, but character counts
Too often in these cynical times, it seems that self-interest rules – but not at Greg’s table. I was surrounded by world-class brainpower. Each person seemed as luminous in the flesh as his credentials are on paper. And yet, I’ve never met more humble, down-to-earth people! Polite, respectful and genuinely interested in dialogue, these brilliant individuals clearly are driven by care and compassion for others.
Lesson 2 – We aren’t alone
I’d guess that about 200 people gathered for this forum. All share a common vision of education as a source of progress – not only for Pakistan, but for the world. At one point, it dawned on me that these participants represent only a tiny fraction of the organizations – from our country as well as from Pakistan – who are deeply committed and actively involved. What an encouraging reality! As Americans, it’s easy to assume we’re the only ones who care so profoundly about achieving constructive change. But actually, we share a common bond with many others, worldwide.
Lesson 3 – Relationships = Power
This is absolutely evident in Greg – who (not surprisingly) was the center of gravity throughout the night. Greg is a remarkably simple and unassuming figure. He reminds me of Mother Theresa – simple words, full of wisdom. No mind-bending thoughts or revolutionary ideas. That’s not to suggest Greg doesn’t have the capacity. It’s just that he seems to have learned that it’s not necessary. To him, relationships are all that matters – and they are the key to his success.
Fortunately, our military is embracing Greg’s “relationship” philosophy – as my fellow citizen-soldier buddy, Charlie Sherpa, recently observed in his “3 Cups/3 Lessons” analysis at “RedBullRising.com.”
Specifically, General David Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command, suggests three central “Greg” tenets that soldiers should follow in Afghanistan:
1) Listen more
2) Be respectful
3) Build relationships
Greg has also forged a relationship with the highest-ranking officer in the US Armed Forces - Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In fact, during his comments, Greg shared quotes from a spectrum of leaders he admires, from Admiral Mullen to Dr. Albert Schweitzer. What’s the common ground? Despite their diverse perspectives, many of the world’s greatest leaders have succeeded because they understand the importance of developing relationships.
What Does this Mean for the Future of Afghanistan?
Next weekend, there’s an opportunity to explore this topic at another event, sponsored by The World Affairs Council of Dallas and The Association of the United States Army. The public is invited to attend a free Military Symposium, where U.S. Army Chief of Staff General George Casey will discuss the road ahead in Afghanistan, as we turn the corner in the war on terrorism.
Sadly, I will only be able to attend in spirit. But I know that, after the main event, some humanitarian organizations plan to engage military and government leaders in a dialogue about how to work together more constructively toward progress for the Afghan people.
This related forum is being coordinated by a generous Texas entrepreneur, John Stettler – who’s a shining example of Greg’s “relationships rule” concept. In fact, John also donates to Greg’s schools. (By the way, John, if you’re reading this, Greg says, “Hi!” He looks forward to learning more about your endeavors.)
I, too, hope that the lessons of “3 Cups” will prevail at those sessions. Perhaps they could become the foundation for stronger alignment between military, government and private interests, going forward…
Certainly, with examples and encouragement from Greg and his panelists in Chicago, anything is possible!
(To be continued…)
Jeff
P.S. To learn about how our military built relationships with Afghan people while I was deployed as a trainer with the Army, check out my book, “Afghan Journal: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Read an excerpt and reviews at the “Afghan Journal” site, or buy the book at Amazon.com.
