SEVEN Fund Student Essay Competition - Turning President Kagame's Vision into Practice

"Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keeps the law, happy is he" Prov.29:18

This is an essay I submitted for a competition organized by Seven Fund www.sevenfund.org. We had to take the role of president Kagame's main policy adviser and design a policy action plan to turn his vision for the country into practice. He believes that the advancement and development of entrepreneurship should be the main engine for sustainable development and only through this development approach the full potential of the Rwandan people can be realized!
Here is the essay. I welcome and comments, suggestions and opinions.
Due to the lack of time (I got to know about it just a few days ago), my preparation wasn't as extensive, as I would like it to be, but this is at least an initial step.
Enjoy reading! :)



Your Excellency Mr. President Kagame,

In the light of our discussions on the specific policies which Rwanda needs to undertake in order to achieve the goals set in 'Vision 2020' and the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the goals set in the EDPRS (Economic Development Poverty Reduction Strategy) 2008-2012, I have designed the following 24-point policy plan. It was created to cover extensively the top priorities set by you as stated on various occasions. Their focus is unquestionably the development and expansion of the private sector with strong emphasis on entrepreneurship development. These policies do not aim to encompass all possible approaches to achieving the goals, but they are comprehensible enough to grasp some of the key areas of focus in the process. An important feature is the goal for innovation and diversification of options in the process of development.

Our core goal is the eradication of extreme poverty and provision of opportunities for all Rwandan people to develop their full potential and live better, more sustainable lives. The way forward to make this goal a reality constitutes of several important steps, which all aim to empower the disadvantaged and underprivileged groups of society. The first set of policies targets the strengthening and improvement of microfinance within Rwanda, and the second set of policies acknowledges various challenges and opportunities in the development process and maps out ways to overcome the challenges and utilize the opportunities presented to our country.

Our government recognizes the challenge to find feasible development options that take into account the specific realities of Rwanda and in particular the scarcity of skilled labor, lack of basic infrastructure and very low levels of FDI. In order to overcome these challenges, we need to emphasize the central role that microfinance institutions (MFIs) should play in all our efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. MFIs have already proved their efficiency in alleviating poverty and providing opportunities for development, especially to the poorest. There are several aspects in which the government can play an active role in further enhancing their role and facilitating their actions:


1. We need to continue pursuing a strongly pro-poor oriented economic policy and recognize the key role of microfinance services in tackling poverty.
2. We need to continue to encourage MFIs to design poverty-focused microfinance models which will deliver appropriate financial and non-financial products to the most needy. The government can facilitate the provision of some of these services. In order for this to happen, MFIs operating around Rwanda need to have direct connection with the government to inquire information or any other necessary assistance. Therefore, we need to assign a special position within the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Cooperatives (MCIIPTC) to facilitate the connection and coordinate actions.

3. The government needs to implement solid macroeconomic policies, avoiding high inflation. It is also advisable that it liberalizes the interest rates for microfinance, using competition rather than interest rate ceilings to encourage efficiency and lower interest rates over time.

4. It should also undertake the promotion of performance indicators and standards that encourage transparency and sound performance across the range of institutions engaged in microfinance. This will be accomplished through the establishment of a specialized microfinance rating agency. Simple and rigorous reporting requirements must be set.

5. In order to help MFIs overcome the difficulties they face in achieving financial sustainability, we need to recognize that microfinance is a vital part of the financial system and to get more involved by deploying the government’s financial service infrastructures in a way increasingly intended to meet the demand of most citizens. We need to assure the integration of MFIs into domestic financial markets. We can permit the regulated MFIs that meet prudential standards to mobilize deposits from the public, with more liberal treatment of savings mobilization from MFI borrowers.

6. Another useful measurement can be fair tax treatment, including temporary tax incentives for MFIs undertaking the costs of converting to formal, regulated structures.

7. The government is also responsible for making the public familiar with the way MFIs operate and explain to them the reasons for the higher interest rates for micro-loans in comparison with those for corporate finance.

8. Information and communication technology is the key to facilitating and expanding the scope and breadth of MFIs and their overall impact on poverty alleviation as well as the overall long-term development of the country. In this respect, the government should encourage and invest in providing the technological tools necessary to improve the management of microfinance projects. The most feasible choice will be enhanced technological transfer from donor countries, especially China. We also need to ensure, by monitoring and directing the technological assistance, that it reaches the most vulnerable and destitute. Therefore, close contact with MFIs working on the ground is essential.

9. Special attention must be turned to the needs of women and other vulnerable groups, like orphans or disabled people. Only by acknowledging their specific needs and potential, can Rwanda meet its MDG goals and develop in a sustainable manner. Women’s political empowerment in Rwanda has become a landmark of its development and pioneer spirit, but much more effort needs to be put in empowering women economically. The threat of the ‘feminization of poverty’ in Rwanda is evident. The marginalization of orphans and other disadvantaged groups from the development process is also apparent. Therefore, the government must take measures to transform this disastrous trend. MFIs are especially effective in targeting disadvantaged groups but more effort is needed to ensure the accessibility of micro-credits to women and orphans and their ability to fully benefit from these credits. The government needs to cooperate with MFIs to ensure this. We must take the initiative to gather information on women’s needs and design products specifically to meet those needs. We must ensure that women and women’s perspectives are brought into the governance, management, and implementation of microfinance programs.

The government’s main priority has to be investment in information and communication technologies, thus leading Rwanda towards becoming a knowledge-based economy. We will need the help of partners and great efforts on our side to succeed. But with the right policies in place, this is by no means an unachievable goal. These policies should be designed to tackle the most pressing issues impending Rwanda from achieving rapid and sustainable development. These include lack of skilled labor, lack of infrastructure, especially transport, lack of sustainable energy and lack of technology. Therefore:

10. The government needs to prioritize national policies to build productive capacity in the national development plans, for infrastructure as well as vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

11. To improve the efficiency of tax systems and collection to maximize the contribution of domestic resources to public investment.

12. We must vigorously pursue to attract more investment, both ODA and FDI. The government must turn special attention to China as a source for technological transfer (ICT) and as an infrastructure investor. Rwanda-China relations must be strengthened. Rwanda must continue the current educational exchange program with China which provides technology-related training courses to Rwandan students, who in return need to serve work in Rwanda. It needs to find more partners willing to invest in the development of productive capacities, including productive resources, technological development and innovation in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, entrepreneurial capabilities and production linkages, and related resources, especially infrastructure and institutions. In this respect, China and other significant partners can play an even more major role and bring know-how, provide the necessary funds to stimulate research and development and investment in education (not only primary, but also secondary and tertiary)! To facilitate this process, we must design an attractive plan to attract China and other partners.

13. In this respect, investment in sustainable energy sources is essential for the overall development. We must define national energy access goals and targets in our macro-development strategies, policies and programs, and estimate the costs to meet the targets. Such clear policies will invite investment into the field. Tax incentives to support the deployment of modern energy technologies will be crucial. We need to reform subsidies to support sustainable development and offer loan guarantees to SMEs building energy businesses in Rwanda. Training and cooperation with other partners must be a priority for building capacity and attracting investment.

14. Public-private partnerships that assist farmers with access to credit, technical assistance, c capacity building, marketing information and crop and product diversification must be established and encouraged. We should also encourage joint research initiatives in different areas, both within the region or internationally and stimulate regional technological sharing.

15. Rwanda needs to extensively research and map out its industries with strong comparative advantages. New industries with the potential to have comparative advantages must be acknowledged and developed in order to stimulate economic diversification.

16. Promoting a green revolution in basic staples should be a priority for the government and we need to persuade partners and donors to share more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies with us.

17. To transform Rwanda into an entrepreneurship country, we need to take a step away from the social welfare and subsidy approach, which doesn’t create a knowledge-based economy. The government needs to remove itself from direct lending to poor people and instead, invest in delivering more training-related services to them, thus empowering them.

18. One way to deliver training and create a favorable environment for research can be the establishment of co-joint workshop training centers, which will be equipped and managed by both Rwandan and Chinese (or others). These centers will provide entrepreneurial skills training with the possibility for connection with MFIs, as well as help for existing small and informal activities to be transformed into organized small-scale enterprises, which will have a greater potential to develop technological capabilities and innovate. We must allocate a greater budget for research and development.

19. Our government needs to encourage and stimulate innovation (in microfinance and economic diversification), which will be the key to any efforts to enhance the economic performance of the country and ensure its long-term sustainable development. In order for this to happen, the government has to ensure the strengthening of the capabilities of entrepreneurs (management and organization) and the labor force (crafts and technical skills, design and engineering skills) as well as the provision of certain financial incentives to stimulate these ( e.g. credit subsidies, tax incentives, and matching grants for innovation projects).

20. We need to explore the great opportunities presented by the so-called “creative economy”. It refers to the interface among creativity, culture, economics and technology, as expressed in the ability to create and circulate intellectual capital, which in turn has the potential to generate income, jobs and export earnings while at the same time promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development.

21. In order to achieve this, we should undertake various initiatives. First, establish a body in charge of mapping inventors of cultural assets and industries, market development through promotion of the creative industries both domestically and internationally, outlining the challenges that inventors and artists face (e.g. lack of financial sustainability, low competitiveness) and finding creative ways to overcome them. Value chain analysis must be used to identify the creative products and services with particular competitive advantages or that are capable of being developed as niche markets in particular situations. The body will be assigned with the task of developing strategies for expanding the scope of creative industries and identifying the strong areas of Rwanda. It will be responsible for establishing workshop centers (both in urban and rural areas) where more people will have the chance to undergo training and become employed in one of the industries. This should be a joint effort of the government (Ministry of CIIPTC), private businesses, NGOs (especially MFIs), international donors and civil society.

22. To facilitate this process, we need to take urgent measures and press for the establishment of copyright legislation and enforcement, which in turn will ensure the artists' intellectual property protection, benefits and earnings. Another possible way to stimulate artists will be by supporting them directly (via fiscal means) or indirectly (through encouragement of private-sector support). The expansion of digital capacity and know-how, as well as data collection and institutional building will be important parts of the process as well.

23. The development of creative industries will facilitate the process of full integration and empowerment of the vulnerable groups discussed in point 9.

24. A database with illustrative cases, best practices, and even lessons from failed projects, both in microfinance and creative economy etc., must be compiled by the government in cooperation with NGOs etc. to serve as guidelines for action.

I sincerely hope that Your Excellency will be content with the outlined policy action plan. I will be more than happy to further discuss any questions or comments that you might raise. I believe that our united efforts will bring Your vision for this nation into practice and that Rwanda will reap the fruits from its hard work!

With respect,

Ivana Koleva, Policy Advisor

06.12.2008

Kigali, Rwanda



References:

1. “Making Globalization Work for the Least Developed Countries”, UNDP 2008.
2. Sam Daley-Harris, “Pathways out of Poverty”, Kumarian Press Inc., 2002.
3. “Creative Economy Report 2008”, UNDP, UNCTAD, 2008.
4. MDG report Rwanda, 2007.
Check out the rest!

My dearest mother! A woman to be praised! I love you!!!
Check out the rest!

SHE is! (dedicated to all 'womankind')

She is the epitome of a hero, the symbol of endurance and life will

she strolls down the road carrying heavy loads,

yet in her spirit she is free of burdens or flaws

she raises up her gentle voice and whispers wisdom in the dark

she need not scream attention to attract,

her full charisma draws crowds around

she may be scolded, beaten, raped, abused

yet angels guard her every move

she falls she rises, she loves she smiles

she cries and sings, she lives a 'rich' life

despite the lack of a bank account

she knows her worth, her price is priceless

no diamonds or gold can buy her faith or chances

she wakes up with the dawn and puts the dark to sleep

she wears simple clothes, yet her dignity makes her shine indeed

she obeys yet doesn't bow before no one but her God alone

she prays to Him and heavens open,

she is a creation to be praised, the nations will applaud her

she may be hungry or in need but her love for others so deep

that she will give her only piece of bread,

to someone more needy, or her kids, or anyone who seeks food or drink

she is empty of selfish desires and full of the power others to inspire

she aspires people to reach the stars, even when they are robbed of dreams or dignified lives

she seeks no fame, no worldly recognition, yet possesses more than any worldly creature

her name is Woman, God's divine creation, made to bear and raise the children of every nation

her name is Woman, she fights for those who cannot fight, and speaks boldly for the ostracized

she shows mercy over strangers, pity over the needy, hospitality towards the discriminated

forgiveness towards the accused, kindness towards the abused, love towards the abandoned

her name is Woman, she is the image of Humility in full display,

she carries herself with the lightness and grace of a leaf blown by the wind

her name is Mother

her name is Patience, Kindness, Truth,

her name is Passion, Love, All-Good

her name is Wisdom, Honor, Determination

her name is Courage, Strength, and Inspiration

she fears not, for she will win,

despite all wrongs and hardships she might feel

eventually, the crowns of life, she Will obtain.

When abused or falsely accused

stepped on, sold, cursed

she might be the victim but she never gives up

she picks herself up and looks ahead and above...

she can forgive others, as well as herself,

she wears a veil of dignity and a robe of self-respect

He called her Holy, to be Praised, of the earth Unique, she is all these

she is the Pride, the Pillar, and the Prize

she is the morning star, the rising tide

she is the embodiment of glory and of depth since ancient times

she fears not to toil for her family's wellbeing

she is beauty, she is grace,

she is the phantom with a changing face

she is silent, yet she speaks,

she is asleep, yet always alert

she guards, protects, gives life and breath

she is a cornerstone of Faith

she is a tower of Faithfulness

she is an evergreen flower, spreading fragrance to all ends

she is ripe in every season, bearing fruits sweet

she is a woman of reason

she endures storms and bears all fortunes,

she doesn't believe in good/bad luck, only in right and wrong choices

she's been tried and tested, proved and approved

she is called - a Servant of the Lord God

she hopes and believes

she perseveres and persists

prays and receives

she hungers for righteousness

pursues holiness

and establishes Peace

she mesmerizes the eyes of men,

yet humbly passes by, she knows only her Man

she is pure like the water from a mountain stream,

she is blessed, her name all nations will pronounce from the highest hill

she stands in awe of her God's love

a 'box' He filled with blessings from above

He opens and the blessings pour,

and flood the earth, and quench the poor

she reaches her hand to the needy

and wipes away the tears of the weary

she touches the untouchables

and embraces the sick and forgotten

she surrounds her beloved with constant love and care

she reveals multiple dimensions of the meaning of a Woman, she dares

she holds the suffering and tears of the world in her big wide heart

she doesn't judge those different from herself

nor does she speak evil of anyone else

she transcends all categories, castes, classes, and definitions

she is to be defined only as super-in-nature

she is truly to be revered!

she is Special, incomprehensible

complex, yet simple

great, yet so small

she's been the victim, yet she is a victor!

she's lost it all, yet gained much more

she's died, yet remained engraved in the hearts of all!

her name is WOMAN!!!

She is You, a Woman made to last,

she is you, a woman, made to rise

a woman made to bring change,

to restore life

to reflect God's love

it is You- the woman of God.

it is your calling, to be(come) She - the woman of God!!!

Dedicated to: every Woman in the world - the mother, the working woman, the widow, the single mother, the poor, the neglected ,the abused, the falsely accused , the fighter, the victim, the believer, the Christian, the Buddhist, the Muslim........, to every woman and every girl of every place of every age of every kind!

p.s. specially dedicated to my Mum, to my sisters - Sheila, Alida, Sonia, Sarah, Liliane, Senhit, as well as to their precious mothers and sisters and to all my beloved Woman-heroes, who have touched my life in amazing ways and I am forever indebted and grateful for their love and inspiration! THANK YOU ALL!!! YOU DESERVE TO WEAR THE CROWNS OF LIFE!

Inspired by Proverbs 31, Maya Angelou's poem "Still I rise" and by the stories of all the ladies on the pictures and others like them!

Check out the rest!

She is! pictures to complement the poem

Check out the rest!

She is! pictures to complement the poem

p.s. I am truly sorry I didn't put the sources of the photos!!! I am still 'green' in posting...really didn't think it through! hope to improve posting and respecting of copyrights! :) (which I totally respect!)
Check out the rest!

The Chronic Condition of Bulgarian Political Life - Diagnosis and Treatment

Elections bring change...or so they say. True, Bulgaria has seen much of this so called change come and go like a gentle, subtle breeze or a powerful, destroying hurricane, change - we know!
But has life really changed? and by that i mean improved. But of course, with no doubt, especially (and exclusively) for those who have had the chance to usurp the power for various period of time during the last two decades.
If Bulgaria continues following this trend, in the near future it might as well reach its desired goal- improving the lives of all its people. Impossible? Think again! With a shrinking population of less than 8 million people and a new power mandate ordained every four years (or less), the arithmetic calculation is as simple as one plus one - almost anyone can go through the power circle ... at least once..at least for awhile..if they find how to crack the system. This, on the other hand is presumably quite remarkably feasible, since the cracks in the system already look like abysses and not peepholes!

Take this recent example of an ordinary citizen, who was elected as the leader of the people. He is 'the good Samaritan' Boyko Borisov, known among the common citizens simply as 'bat' (slang for 'brother'), whom i remember as a somewhat well-built bodyguard of our former king ( 'crowned' prime-minister in 2001). He became mayor of our capital Sofia in 2005, and will most probably become the next prime-minister of my country, in other words, the 'Bat-man' of Bulgaria, the super hero that will deliver the country from all evil. Another shining example of a not-so-ordinary (but by no means extraordinary) citizen is the enthusiastic young communist leader Sergey Stanishev, famous for his rocker image - riding a motorbike (wishing it's a Harley), wearing a leather jacket, and having ideals and ideas that will bring the country only prosperity and happiness. This rather suspicious figure is now holding the position of prime-minister of Bulgaria and has successfully 'charmed' away with his sleek smile everyone's hopes for change (maybe not everyone's, but everyone who is able to think and reason).

Looking back, the statistics clearly shows that Bulgaria has had a rather diverse and enchanting array of leaders, starting from a former king in the shoes of a prime minister; followed by a former communist party young rocker, disguised as a 'statesman'; and finally, even a former bodyguard in the role of the super hero...Is there anything more queer and bizarre able to pop up yet, or should we just apply for the Guinness record book for the most absurd leaders in history now!?
Bulgaria has turned into a market place, where new products are displayed and advertised every four years, begging the 'consumers' to pick them and to 'buy their stories' . They play a masquerade ball, wearing all kinds of super hero masks, savior redeemer masks, innocent angel masks, good Samaritan masks...and we get to pick, who wins the competition for best dressed at the masquerade! Bulgarians are praying that once the mask is off...the face behind it will not resemble a demon or a monster...but only a beast or a frog that can, hopefully, turn into a Prince at any moment. Bulgaria is a hopeful nation, always, always, looking for and believing in change for the better! Is this what they call the freedom to choose? or is it really freedom, if you can choose only 'the less evil' among all the evils?

America wants CHANGE! and it got it, its name is - Barack Obama. What will Bulgarians want next spring? what will they get? What mask will answer their questions, raise their hopes, draw their attention, and eventually win their vote? The experiences dogs are now mobilized. They are thinking of new strategies to attract voters, making social surveys, leaving aside some of their 'savings' to complete projects put on hold because of corruption scandals and 'get some tough measures' to stabilize the country and bring prosperity for all! One such technique has been practised quite often, namely - one-time minimal increase of the pensions, as a Christmas bonus, so that the elderly can afford to buy a piece of meat after their year-long...forced fast; or a vacation on the sunny beaches of Bulgaria for some 5000 elderly people, to warm their bones and prepare for the cold winter without heating! You see, Bulgarian politicians are really full of great ideas for massive change and full-throttle redemption, after all, who needs a Savior, when we have Sergey...or Ivan or George, or Simeon, or Boyko...?

Bulgarians like to vote for change, especially change of the mask and the slogan. For instance, they were happy to cast their firm 'Yes' vote for 'The New Time', led by former King Simeon II, whose government, eventually, didn't stand for anything else but a countdown of 4 years of lies, mismanagement of resources and widespread corruption (with some exceptions). Then appeared 'National Union Attack', with its chauvinistic, extreme nationalistic, racist slogans and 'patriotic' appeals, which, to the surprise of many educated Bulgarians, gained popularity among the masses and paved its way to parliament, led by a figure quite dim and schizophrenic. As for the currently leading coalition, it is safe to say that its main member, 'The Bulgarian Socialist Party', is a devoted and faithful successor of the Bulgarian Communist Party which ruled the country under a tight totalitarian regime for roughly 45 years (1945-1989)! The only change that they put forward was in their appearance. They did some face-lifting by 'upgrading' their party with ambitious, young 'leaders' ready to plunge into the political pool and grab all they can, and also changed their name, to symbolically assert their uniqueness and distinctiveness from their mentor and 'ancestor'.
http://www.dnes.bg/article.php?id=61020 (video prepared for the 100th anniversary of the party! total madness)

The time for change is ripe again, but are there any clean clothes to put on? Or everything is dirty and old. The Bulgarian political scene resembles a recycling plant. 'What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun' (Eccl.1:9) But who needs new, when recycling protects the environment, protects our common interests, and leads us to sustainable development...or so we think. Do we need new wine?or our old wine is more mature in taste and high in quality? or do we have to change the wine skins altogether first(Luke5:37)? because, instead of producing good old wine, we have produced sour vinegar! When democracy was stripped off the myths and legends surrounding it and its halo was removed, the truth that was unveiled hurt - recycled, unrefined, deformed and vague image of the one existing in western Europe, looking more like a 'possessed' democracy, or 'demoncracy'.

This is our wine skin - electoral democracy - and it can be perceived as a young maiden, only 20 years old, still not having been exposed to labor pain and life hardships, therefore fragile and insecure, immature and somewhat vain, but full of potential and courage, vision and strength. Or, it can be perceived as an old rusty witch, with a power only to destroy. So, where does the truth lie? Is democracy yet to gain ground and establish itself as the pillar and engine for the sustainable development of the Bulgarian society, or is it to be questioned, reexamined and revised? if democracy is not the least to blame for this 20 year old (almost) chronic condition of failure and mismanagement. Then who is to blame?
First of all, despite the objections I might face, I firmly believe that part of the problem lies in the way democracy was brought to Bulgaria in 1989. The main fuel that stirred our engine towards democratic transition was America and it raised democracy to a level of sacredness and sanctity, without mentioning the side effects that might accompany the rapid change from one kind of fuel to another, from one type of system to another. Democracy was believed to be universal, therefore automatically comprehended and applied by the people of every nation. Bulgarians embraced it fully and with great zeal and enthusiasm they started constructing their new democratic society (from scratch). The problem was that the tools they had and the skills they possessed were insufficient...because they lacked a blueprint, a vision that went beyond the assembly of a new government and the realization of free elections!

'Where there is no vision, the people perish' (Prov.29:18)! Can it be clearer? The Washington consensus applied to the Bulgarian context did not adjust itself to the context but merely set its bases, machines and plans and started operating. Reflecting on this process, it seems to me that it was like choosing to build a house, with no regard to the terrain or the materials that fit best this terrain. Blind conviction that the terrain is excellent because on similar terrain houses have already been successfully built elsewhere, or relying solely on data from the other terrain about the perils hidden on this one and therefore constructing it by modelling this house as a mirror reflection of the other ones - all these were mistakes made by the Bulgarians and their main architects and technical advisers - the Americans. Later on, these mistakes reflected back on the people and burned their hopes and dreams numerous times throughout the long transition (which has become a stable determinant of the Bulgarian state, and does not possess any trace of transition).
The purpose is not to blame, but rather to search for the flaws, so that they might be fixed (repaired) promptly and will not constitute a threat to the safety of the people in the future. Until now, threats have only increased in number, their severity has escalated and every slight wind that blows causes a massive shocks for the inhabitants of this house. Is it the terrain to blame? the materials? the construction workers? or the technical advisers? the architects? What should and can be changed after all?

In the beginning, the house was built only with decorations but no wind or rain protection layers. It was constructed to attract the eyes of its inhabitants and on-lookers, tempting them to believe that it's all there is to it. Elections were praised by all as the culmination of their freedom and development, as their ultimate achievement and goal. Their house was perfect.
Then, the first winds blew through the windows, the first storms raged and shook the floors and the walls, the first rains fell and the roof started leaking...and the house was put to the test. Freedom turned into chaos because it wasn't accurately defined and directed; the appearance of multi-party system only diffused the responsibility of any failure and left the general public tied with 'choice' and election 'freedom'; party politics became a toss-the-power mutually accepted game with its crooked rules... All these have led the country to a condition merely resembling a house, and more and more looking like a shack unsuited for a secure and stable life!

Some will argue that Bulgaria has gone through dramatic and significant changes in the course of the last 20 years, pointing to its membership in NATO and recently in the EU. These are facts and I do not denounce them. Has democracy played a role in these improvements? Of course! It has led to freedom of expression and freedom of ideas and opinions. Democratic values are accepted and respected (at least on paper) by everyone nowadays. Freedom of religion and press, the right to enjoy fair trials, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be protected by the government, to be granted basic human rights and civil liberties etc. are all values and ideals praised and instilled on every level of our society today.
Nevertheless, these changes have been only surgical, changes of the terrain, and not of the structure of the house! They have proved to be rather favorable for the stability, security and progress of the house as a whole, but even they, so far, have failed to repair the house's deepest cracks and flaws. Now, Bulgaria has been awarded the title 'black sheep' of the EU and has been scolded on multiple occasions, punished with the stick not once or twice, and all these...to no effect!

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=99257

The chronic condition of this house is apparent. There is mould everywhere, the doors are creaking, the windows banging, the roof leaking, the smell of carcass spreading, the rust embellishing every corner...and change has become a distant mirage and delusion. Chronic disease is hard to treat and appease, yet what are the prospects?
Bulgaria urgently needs to renovate its foundations. It needs to start treating the causes of this illness, find the cracks and the holes and repair them and not only treat the symptoms by covering the cracks with a new decoration (elections). For the past 20 years, the winds have been favorable for Bulgaria and that is why today it enjoys full membership in the European Union and has prospects for development. Nevertheless, the EU has been forced to admit the unfortunate reality that surrounds its new member state. There is nothing charming and encouraging about its politics and it might as well be a real recipe for disaster. Penalties and punishments have been in vain, since there is no decency or sense of shame on the Bulgarian political scenery. All there is farce and act in a mediocre play, directed by self-made, pretentious directors with big ambitions and small visions!

Democracy is indeed to be praised. Yet, it is the democracy which establishes the rule of law in its foundation and builds on it the rest of its structure, that should be praised! Only so, will political pluralism and the separation of powers prove effective and efficient weapons to fight corruption, overcome stagnation and lead to prosperity and progress. Unless this is done, unless the rule of law becomes the pillar of our house, we will never be safe. Democracy will not mature on its own and will not bear good fruits automatically. It resembles young wine, which needs to be attained and preserved well, in a special place, under certain temperature and conditions, so that it may mature and become excellent both in taste and fragrance!

As for whom shall be the 'doctor' and 'Change-maker', the future will tell. My guess is, this person might as well be from a whole new generation. In another 20 years, who knows, Bulgarians can choose their own first 'colored' president. There are good prospects. My future husband (from Uganda) and I (from Bulgaria), might be the chosen ones for the task. Who is to say, only God knows! Until then, change will remain a flickering light within every person seeking hope and a better life, yet it will not burn out, but rather, remain burning like an eternal fire, preparing the way for the real CHANGE! When and how nobody knows, we can only hope...it is not little, too late!
Check out the rest!

A little Drop in the vast Ocean

Don't give on your hope for change
just because you think
you are a a mere drop in the vast ocean we live.

if you Are a drop, with ideals and faith
and i am a drop, with enthusiasm and vigor
and then He and She, and eventually We
all become drops each uniquely equipped and united,
ready to act...
then the ocean, my friend, will become all the more,
filled with sweet fragrance, with peace, love and freedom for ALL!

Don't let the waves (of man's evil)
sweep away your dreams or ideals

Don't let NOone (for Any reason)
stomp on your beliefs or values
(just because they are hard to believe/achieve)
God will help us!

But rise above all earthly evil, greed, and false
and ride the waves of change
and guide the winds to progress and peace!

You have the power, you little drop that falls in the perfect place~!


Jesus said: " EVERYTHING is possible for him who BELIEVES!" Mark9:23

Check out the rest!

Pattern 1010...(Just a paper in the Box?)

Governments change

(but they don't bring no change)

but that doesn't matter,

because the world is stuck in a recurring defected pattern

1010101010...one zero one zero

it's either money or reputation driven

(there is nothing pure, except for 'pure' evil)

corrupted and bitter

perverted and cruel

it follows a pattern one zero zero

it's a machine

heavily virus infected

loaded with brutalities and atrocities

that have torn down the firewall,

the fortress of the afflicted!

***

unfortunate, but change is minimal and trivial

following strictly the pattern one zero

new faces, new statements,

new news for the day

but it's all in the pattern,

it's just a parade!

i've seen it, i've heard it

i've swallowed it all,

it's a cycle of 'pure' evil

a chronic disease prevailing in all...

***

it's the dilemma choice that rises in me

a citizen who believes in the emancipation of the weak

i'm holding my ballot,

with a religious assurance

that this little paper will bring us ultimate deliverance.

i'm counting on it, casting my hopes

all my fears disappear and i feel things moving on

a citizen, a man, a woman, me...

i'm treated equally!

justice is given for free!!

***

time has past, the votes have been cast,

the results announced

the winners pronounced..

here it comes...

this moment, when i finally realize...

i haven't had a real choice...

...it was just a paper in a box!

another follow-up of the familiar pattern

one zero zero one...

how can i build back the firewall?

can i or this paper bring justice (positive change) to all?

Check out the rest!

The High Price for Pursuing Knowledge in Some Parts of the Developing World

how much does it cost to go to school?
you might automatically answer - much.
but just how much?

well, most people will argue that no matter the cost, education is an invaluable and essential asset for the development of any individual. i will not refute the least such a statement, since i, myself, believe in this!

nevertheless, despite all arguments in support, i want to ask you -

what if it might cost you your life? will you still go to school? will you be willing to expose yourself to life danger just so that you can get to the classroom and learn?and why yes, or why no.

i suppose there will be those denying the possibility of such radical outcomes as the loss of life, but the facts are against such claims.

the reality in which some people 'survive' and actually pursue knowledge and development is utterly different from ours,immensely complicated and striking, and while we might wonder how to pay for the best schools, how to take advantage of the best options available to us and in one way or another consequently to succeed, or simply how to skip going to school...some people go to school at the risk of their lives.


who are these people? where is schooling being persecuted and why?

whether we talk about a war-torn area like Somalia or Darfur, or a radical Islamist town in a country like Afghanistan, controlled by the Talibans (or other extremist groups for that matter), or destitute places like Cambodia or Ethiopia, we can find parallels everywhere!

the 'price' of reaching school might differ, from being raped and beaten to being sold into prostitution or..as the latest of these cases shows, being the victim of a an attack with acid by some coward who just couldn't stand the thought of women's empowerment and emancipation.

the story of the several Afghan girls who were attacked with acid in the city of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan just days ago, is another proof of the high price some children, and especially girls, have to pay, to have the chance to overcome poverty by acquiring education. Education is Power. And those who seek to halt the educating of girls know that very well. They fear immensely even the slightest possibility of being overthrown by an empowered new generation of women who have sacrificed much in their lives and who are ready to see radical change and improvement in society. And they have definite reasons to fear because their cowardly attacks will ultimately prove unsuccessful! Some people are ready to pay the High price...and pursue knowledge. Take Shamsia, for example, she received the most severe injures in the recent attack, and yet, while still in the hospital, with her face burned from the acid, she claimed: "I'll continue my schooling even if they try to kill me. I won't stop going to school"... this is courage, this is spirit, this is strength, this is power!

you might wonder, why on earth will someone walk 5 miles a day, like some girls in Sudan and Congo (or many other areas around the globe where the protection of the citizens is beyond any measure!), just to attend classes, at the risk of being attacked and raped; you might think why some girls will not let their chance of being schooled pass by and choose to risk their lives to learn merely how to write and read...and here is Shamsia's answer to you all: "I'll continue going to lessons. I'm studying to be able to build our country"...the response to the same question, given by a little girl whose leg was chopped off by some rebels in Congo and who nevertheless, continued walking the 5 miles to school, without protease, just a crunch (risking to be raped by gangs on the way to and back)...was this "I dream to become a teacher when I grow up and be able to teach children and help them "...

the answer to "why would someone be willing to pay a price so high for education?" is simple: it's the will and desire of every man and woman to develop and reach their full potential, to be all that they can be, dream and pursue their dreams, and live a dignified and decent life!

the answer is simple - it's man's highest aspiration to reach to the stars, and to fly with the eagles, to be all that God made him/her to be, and live like a human!!!

the next time you start complaining about how much you wish u didn't have to study for exams, attend classes, or have to write papers and listen to lectures...i urge you to take a deep look at yourself and see...just how very blessed you truly are.
and when you see it, i urge you to give the Lord the glory and the praise and Pray that all may be privileged to have a chance like yours, a chance to become all that they are meant to, a chance to fulfill their dreams and reach their stars...a chance to be free (of torture, fear, abuse, despair, poverty) to not just survive..but LIVE!

Check out the rest!

Real Life Survivors vs. entertainment 'survivors'

it's early in the morning. i wake up, take a long hot shower, prepare my coffee, take a glass of water, put my clothes in the laundry...and get to work...the day is busy, i run the errands, chat with friends, manage my finances, eat, shop, cook, clean...etc, till it's time to relax. but first: 'It's been a tiring day', 'money is not enough', 'life is too hard', 'life is unfair', 'i'm so unlucky'...sounds familiar?

our lives have become so facilitated by all kinds of gadgets and amenities, yet instead of being simplified, they have become way too complicated (and meaningless). now, we (by 'we' i mean that percentage of the world's population which actually has access and enjoys fully this so-called 'modern life') don't try to survive and live day for day, scarcely meeting ends...no,we don't. and we don't know what it means to see your kids die because you couldn't provide for them, no, we don't. we don't comprehend the struggles and the human will to Survive, to Live, to Be, because we've been given a chance by birth (or so).

So, instead, we resort to more sophisticated ways of understanding the grudges, the hardships and 'tricks' of survival...entertainment.

Shows like 'Survivor' have become so popular all over the world. We admire the men and women who push themselves to extremes to 'survive'...and eventually win a million dollars or so...ye, but survivor is nothing like that! ...anyway, who wants to know. it's enough to see a few photos of starving children on the news, hear about hundreds of thousands of people 'displaced' (one might not even understand it well)...that exhausts our engagement in World Affairs, which are for politicians to solve... and then we can switch back to our Entertainment channel.

I'm not against entertainment in general. i suppose it is beneficial in some ways, enriching our lives or just helping us relax, but these particular forms of entertainment have exposed and perverted some of human's most honourable qualities, like will power, determination, vigour, courage etc. What do these shows encourage and inspire us for? Seeing how far a man can be pushed, the limits of his/her strength, will, hope? But it's all fake...because no one will be willing to do these things if there were no incentives. So, then, is this kind of show really displaying the heights of human courage and will power...or the depth of his/her desire to attain the prize (simply the greed for money)? I guess stimulation is not a bad thing, it is indeed necessary, since humans operate better when they are given a carrot, rather than nothing...but we are missing the point.

If you look closer in the news next time, and instead of ignoring or avoiding the faces of the displaced, the refugees, the starved, the underprivileged, the sick, and the weak...you will not see losers, but real life Survivors, heroes who have fought more battles than soldiers in wars have! Then you will be moved!
It is these people who aspire admiration and honour, the ones who Never give up, who strive to Survive on a daily basis...whose courage is beyond our understanding. These are the Survivors of this world. And this is NOT entertainment!

Don't encourage shows like 'Big Brother', which deprives people from growing and only engages them in meaningless gossip and trivial stories. Don't encourage shows like the World's Eating competition, during which, tons of food is wasted and which, despite all the food being devoured, leaves your mind and soul empty. Don't encourage shows like 'Survivor', or even 'Fear Factor', which despite being quite amusing and exciting, only prove the ultimate power of money to control people, to push them to do...just about anything.

When you wake up tomorrow, let your first words be of giving thanks, for just how blessed you truly are, and let your life not be 'devoured' by the media, 'consumed' by the multi-million corporations, but let it be moved and transformed by the stories of those to whom heaven belongs...the real survivors of this world. Jesus said,

" Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was in prison and you came to visit me....

'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me...' Matt.25:31-46

Check out the rest!

A Congolese woman on the Road (To all the displaced people and all refugees everywhere)

(a displaced woman)

Again on the road

carrying bundles of clothes,

pieces of bread, empty bottles for water...

i am going ahead.

It's the road to my past

paved with strife, blood and pain,
there is no way out...

i am a stone thrown away.

It's a crossroad with no choice

and i'm stuck in the middle
guns, rape, violence, grief

blood money and greed

take over everything...

the rebels suppress us

the government's a mess

this road is our only shelter, ally in this chaos.

i' m holding my son, he's quiet and still

looking straight in the eyes, he whispers:

"what are we punished for? are we so evil?"

are we preys for the beasts?

are we migrating birds?

are we victims of men?

are we people or dust?

are we remnants of the past?

do we have human name/face?

we are the citizens without homes

the forced travelers, always on the road

the free slaves of this land

we are children of this demolished place

even the foxes have holes,

the birds have their nests

the cattle sleep in stables

but all we have... is the stars and our Faith

***

(the world)

are these shadows from our nightmares?

or ghosts haunting us for our wrongdoing?

or are they just the reflection,

of what we cannot see but what's true and apparent?

how would we know...

when their voices are silenced

when Someone has muted the truth

when the world is trying to cover

the names of these human faces

with mere numbers in the news...?

Dedicated to all displaced people and all refugees around the world: Hold on!!!

God has proclaimed through the prophet Jeremiah:

"I myself wil gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I
will place shepherds over them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing, " declares the Lord! Jer.23:3-5

Check out the rest!

Is Peace just a delusion or an arm-stretch away shore?

Inequalities, Regulations
Incentives and Ratios
International crisis and global response
constipation
Contradictions, world puzzles
Paradigms and Dilemmas,
Paradoxes and Distortions
Truth is False
and
Falsehood True
how come 1+1 still equals 2?

should we live in a cave (of ignorance)
like Plato's heroes do?

***

Justice or Order,
what's on your mind?
again in opposition,
it's - Either / Or
Peace or War -
mutually destroyed?
can Man reconcile
the Self-interest and that of All?

***

Lots are distributed
stocks piled up
flows of money come and go
yet the bottom is lied down
with bodies of the invisible
and the unknown...

***

step on them! close your eyes!
it's clear, you've chosen your path
demise and lethal end are on the way...
but who will dare take a different path
(and be doomed wrong) ...anyway...

***

put down the guns, raise up the flags
is Peace an oasis (delusion)? or an arm stretch-away shore?

...how would you know...if you don't stretch your own?

Check out the rest!

Where is Bulgaria? (the value of global geography knowledge)

For reference, I come from a relatively small country, with total area of 111.000 square km. and less than 8 million people population. My country is Bulgaria and it is a very beautiful place, with many wonderful snow peak mountains, sunny beaches, warmhearted people and rich culture and folklore.
But where is Bulgaria after all?
During the 5th International Cultural Festival in Peking University, Beijing, China, where Bulgaria had a separate booth for the 5th consecutive year, I gathered rather interesting accounts on the location of this mysterious country Bulgaria. All visitors were given a sort of a brochure, with a place for getting a stamp from all the countries represented at the festival. The brochure was divided into continents with no further explanations about which country belongs to which continent. That's how the puzzle began...

So, as newcomers were passing by our stand, I took the venture to inquire and ask them to point on their brochure the continent to which my country belongs, and only when successfully guessing, to stamp their brochure.
But why should they know? The great Chinese nation with 5.000years of history and culture and a population of more than 1.6billion people? Should it be bothered about an insignificant country like mine? I think yes.

Well, still, the results were rather fascinating. According to several people, Bulgaria was situated in the heart of Africa...very intriguing...only that I was so stunned that I forgot to ask in which part of the African map I should look for it.

The next most popular guess was ...Asia. Truly unexpected, since, if nothing else, Asia should be the continent Chinese are most familiar with, but apparently no.
Yes, indeed, there were even more wild guesses, like the one that Bulgaria was in fact situated on the continent of Australia...though I didn't quite comprehend, whether it is an island or an aborigine's tribe.
Of course, the guesses were not short of describing Bulgaria as part of America, I am guessing they meant Latin America, because even in the past I have come across people confusing Bulgaria with Bolivia.
So, finally, there were those who firmly proved their knowledge, when they stated that Bulgaria was, of course, in Eastern Europe (which it truly is), and was part of the Soviet Union (which it was not, but at least it gave communist 'comrades' the geographical knowledge others still lack).

What conclusions could be drawn from this random 'survey', or 'fieldwork', if you'd like?
First of all, as I looked deeper into these disturbing results, I was struck by my own narrow mindedness. But, of course these various people had logical reasons to assume that Bulgaria was elsewhere and not in Eastern Europe!
Why in Africa? Well, considering archaeological discoveries of the Kenyan man, it turns out that some time, millions of years ago, we all, Bulgarian ancestors and others, originated in the African plateau. One down. But why Asia? Well, considering the great migrations in history, it turns out that the ancestors of the Bulgarian people did, indeed, cross parts of Asia, and most probably mixed a little bit with the local women and men, just so much so, that Bulgaria has preserved an Asian trace up to this day.
So far, so good. As for the Australian guess, I am still puzzled and my only explanation is that 'Bulgaria' sounds like an exotic tribe...hm...The Latin American guess is quite understandable considering the similarity between the names Bolivia and Bulgaria, and considering the relatively similar looks some Bulgarians and Latinos share.

An enriching experience indeed. But what are the implications of one such research? Well, Bulgaria is not the smallest, and definitely not the most unknown of the world's states. Many people are familiar with Bulgarian football, gymnastics, some of them have even heard about Bulgarian Rose oil, and as for the Japanese and Korean people, they know Bulgaria best for its yogurt. This is not discouraging at all, since there are other states suffering from even deeper 'uknowningness' :).

Putting away all my perceptions of what states originally mean, I venture to think globally. From a global perspective, "the world is a global village" kind of thinking can definitely be of help to interpret the results that occurred during the 'survey'. Why should we distinguish ourselves strictly as belonging to a specific place, behind certain borders, carrying a particular nationality, when, we can be citizens of the world? I am engaged to a wonderful Ugandan man and many of my closest friends are Africans. Indeed, part of my heart is in Africa and as far as I am concerned, I was quite pleased with the African location of Bulgaria. I have lived in Asia for the last 6 years and I believe that this continent has so much history and culture to offer, is so rich in knowledge and natural beauty, that for Bulgaria to be situated there will not be all that bad etc.
You got my line of thinking?
So much for the 'global perspective'. All in all, I believe that better understanding of the peoples of the earth, will lead to better mutual understanding and harmonious co-existence (as my Chinese 'comrades' would say) among all nations. Our differences and uniqueness should not be interpreted as causes for conflict, but rather as pillars for stable relationships. As we learn to appreciate and respect each other's cultures and countries, we will also find significant similarities among our peoples and will, eventually, achieve global peace and harmony.

I just want to thank all the people who visited our stand and learned something more about Bulgaria. As for those who still haven't had the chance to, I invite all of you to take the time and make the trip to Bulgaria, the Bulgaria still situated in South-Eastern Europe (or Eastern depending on different texts), and explore its unique and splendid natural scenes and gorgeous sights.

Thank you!
Check out the rest!

the world of the MANY and the world of the FEW - the reign of INequality

The Many build the houses
the Few live in them

The Many grow the crops
the Few enjoy the meals

The Many supply the water
the fews' thirst is quenched

The Many mine precious stones
the few wear diamond necklaces

The Many manufacture clothes
the Few wear them and show off

The Many die in pursuit of freedom
the Few are born free

The Many cut their trees
the Few read books and have green fields

The Many gather the fruits
the Few drink fresh coffee in Starbucks

The Many fight for peace
the Few enjoy it

The Many are slaves
the Few are masters

The Many are sold in sex trade
the Few have choice to become what they want

The Many are invisible
the Few are famous

The Many are life survivors
the Few are film heroes (stars)

The Many are being tortured
the Few are pampered

The Many die before turning 5
the Few live long after 75

The Many thirst for knowledge
the Few go to university

The Many are sick
the Few have access to doctors and pills

The Many live with less than a dollar a day
the Few fill a bag of money on a shopping day

The Many bury their dreams and beloved ones
the Few enjoy their 'dreams come true'

The Many's voice is silenced
the Few's is loud and clear

is our world distinctively divided into 'the Many' and the 'Few'?
are we two distinct breeds?
are we from different planets?
can there ever be reconciliation, or is it like mixing oil and water in a cup?

we wish to see a world where it Matters who You are simply because You are a Human Being, a child of God, a Person, woman, man, young or old.
but we live in a wolrd in which it Matters, in various degrees, who You are and what life you will lead by the color of your skin,
by the place you were born,
by the culture you are in,
by the passport you will have,
by the groups that you belong,
by the people you will know,
by the money you have got,
by the clothes that you can buy and
by the things you can consume,
by the words you can pronounce and
by the schools you will enjoy...it depends...it matters really, can it ever be any different really?

It can...Jesus said...

"Blessed are you who are poor,
for YOURS is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of man.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

Luke6: 20-26

So, hold on, you who are last...because he said "The last shall be First and the first shall be last" Matt.20:16

as for equality...is it a matter of heaven?.. and not earth?..not this earth?..or at least not now?...

still, it isn't to say we should give up on hope of improvement, on hope of reducing the Many and increasing the Few...on making the scales close to even, even if it costs us our lives...We will do!

all we need is voices from the Few who are willing to speak for the Many,
we need few of the Few to open their eyes and become aware, and try to change the' formula' of our world,
so that the two (the Many and the Few) become compatible and fair.

So, if you are from the Few today, the Few who have a home, a meal, clean water, school and all kinds of amenities to enjoy every day,
Challenge your Self to look deeper into yourself and try to see this Self in a mirror that portrays you as if you belonged to the Many...and you will never be the same again...i am also doing this, by the way!

There need not be first and last, there need not be race in life...if we can see through God's eyes...and embrace everything with love..just as it comes.
not judge, not discriminate,
not greed, not rush,
not flush love, or buy guns,
not make war, not live to Have but to Give,
not live to be recognized, but turn into reality somebody's dreams,
not for the Self, not for the Things, not for the Stuff, the Money, the Stage, the Fame
but for the Many, for the Love, the Truth, the Hope, the Treasures of heaven...
not for Me but for You...

Check out the rest!