Aloha

Have arrived in beautiful, breezy, sunny and magical Hawaii!  Have come in contact with only friendly, happy people...maybe it is the sun! 

I was a little jet lagged and headed to bed early on Saturday, arrival day and woke up early, found the gym and then started the most inspirational day of meeting, greeting and just absorbing the greatness and power that is surrounding me. 

I am part of a group of 60ish selected global leaders.  There are 22 from the United States, some of those 22 are from indiginous groups or soverign nations.  The others are from Bangkok, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Trinidad, Yemen and Singapore-just to name a few  of the amazing leaders here.  There was some great activities that drew us together in the morning.  We spent some time in our regional groups coming up with accomplishments and challenges in our region.  In the U.S., it is clear some of our greatest accomplishments remain our biggest challenges as we continue to deal with funding and a recession.  When the larger group came together to share it was eye-opening.  Not only are some of the challenges similar in nature-even though the U.S is clearly ahead of many other nations.  There was also the very real issues in these countries of violence against children, HIV and aids and emergency preparedness.  In the U.S. we have those issues, but not to the degree that some of these other areas deal with and have the extra element or layer to the ongoing issues. 

Last night we were at a reception...a beautiful, very jet lagged young lady from an arab country sat at my table.  We had an small group exercise-to again talk about accomplishments and challenges-keep in mind...a different mix of people.  She said a challenge is getting people to understand the importance of relations with a child.  We discussed what she meant by that-she said "the important connection a child has with the person caring for them."  WOW....it seems so simple....but really, what do relationships look like in other countries?  Not just between caregivers and children, but what about with the families, peers and government?  It raises lot of ideas and questions for me.  There is many working groups that are formed out of the work done at the World Forum.  One is "Men in early childhood."  What about those relationships?  How are they the same or different then those of women and men from other parts of the world? 

The other ironic thing that happened that has my brain sparking in lots of crazy ways.  I read the book Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracey Kidder on the plane.  It is a required reading for a class I am starting when I get back.  Paul Farmer who the book is about was an anthropologist/doctor who spent time in Haiti and Peru along with other countries leading movements in how medical services are delivered and his humane approach to dealing with each patient and the relationships he formed remind me in some ways of what is happening here.  There are people that are making huge differences one person at a time and inspiring each person they touch to do the same.  The World Forum has grown from 7 global leaders in the early 90's to 60ish and that does not count the 800 attendees that will be here in the next few days to attend the forum. 

Last night Sara and I were able to enjoy a walk on the beach-we were given fresh lei's by 2 teenage girls trying to raise money for their high school basketball team.  I guess you could say we were an easy sell...

So for today...lots of coffee to keep my eyes open and my mind sharp.  My mind is swirling but this is an incredible opportunity I have been given and am going to soak up every bit that I can!