ALI members came together to discuss the future of their organisation
Mar 19, 2009 – Members of the African Leadership Initiative (ALI) met near Johannesburg today in a closed session, a precursor to the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Promise of Leadership conference, to discuss the way forward for their organisation.
ALI, which forms part of the Aspen Global Leaders’ Network, focsses on creating networks to effect change. This is done by using the influence of powerful individuals and leaders who form part of the ALI classes.
The group, consisting of members from across the continent, met for two formal sessions at the Helderfontein Estate, the venue for this weekend’s Promise of Leadership conference. Participating members include political, academic, civil society and business leaders, such as Ali Mufuruki (ALI founding member from Tanzania), Romeu Rodrigues (ALI founding member from Mozambique), Raenette Taljaard, Futhi Mtoba, Bruce Robertson, Karl Flowers, Ralph Freese and Leslie Maasdorp (ALI Fellows from South Africa), among others.
The initial session, moderated by Ralph Freese, took the form of a discussion of two readings. Text-based discussion is one of the central pillars of the ALI method. Discussion centred on the notion of living “your one wild and precious life” (a line from The Summer Day), and seeing the broad impact of the work done by individuals as part of a life fully lived for improving the world around us today.
Members took part in round-table style discussions
“If you are in ALI and are not interested in changing the world, you are probably in the wrong place,” said Mufuruki.
The notion of using one’s talents and opportunities led on to a conversation about ALI’s future, warming up for the following session, which dealt more fully with the matter.
The second session, moderated by Bruce Robertson, was entitled Where to for ALI? Robertson began the session by identifying the unifying characteristics of members and the unique aspects of the ALI experience, before asking members to articulate their concerns or suggestions for formalising the ALI structures.
Members were particularly concerned with convening more meetings throughout the year and better utilising the network for measurable change.
“The glue of the network is that our members share the same set of values, values that focus on the world beyond yourself. We need to be agents for change,” said Maasdorp.
The sessions were moderated by Ralph Freese and Bruce Robertson
Reflections:
“I think today we created a map of what action ALI fellows can follow, so now it’s up to us to take that action.” – Romeu Rodrigues
“I enjoyed the honest debate and original ideas that came out of today. These will have an effect in South Africa, but also across the continent. We have developed ideas about how to move forward as an organisation. We have challenges, but it has become clear that we also have people who are committed enough and have vision enough to face those challenges.” – Ali Mufuruki
“I enjoyed the discussion based on the readings, as well as having a concrete discussion around building this institution.” – Bruce Robertson