As the USA prepares to inaugurate a new and very different President and as Thailand prepares to crown a new King and elect a new government, I have been pondering what a national leader should be like. Here is my tentative description of national leaders who are worthy of respect and honor.
A WORTHY NATIONAL LEADER IS ONE WHO WORKS TO: 1. Unify the nation to include all portions of the population no matter how small or recent. Rationale: Long-term national integrity is enhanced by rapid integration. KPI (key performance indicator that the goal is being sought by the national leaders): Special attention is paid to rapidly diminish the disadvantages of being a recent immigrant or people at risk. Example: HM King Rama IX of Thailand visited and supported development projects for every ethnic and regional group in the kingdom. Counter-indicator: Particular groups are excluded or identified as undesirable. 2. Value the cultural heritage of the nation and respect the cultural contributions of all ethnic sectors. Rationale: National pride is enhanced by valuing unique components of the national fabric. KPI: Nationally sponsored projects and holidays signify that cultural events and heroes of minority groups are as valued as are those of the ethnic core majority. Example: Black History Month in the USA Counter-indicator: Only founders or the ruling elite are honored. 3. Protect those who are most vulnerable by insuring their security, health, education, essential resources and livelihoods. Rationale: Human survival and human dignity are human rights. A nation is only as sustainable as its promotion of human rights. KPI: progress is being made to expand equal access to legal protection and safety, health care, universal education, jobs with sufficient pay, and people’s control over their own lives. Example: European plans for access to education and health care for all. Counter-indicator: Health care costs for any individual could bankrupt them and their families or force them to forego needed medical care. 4. Enhance the circumstances of future generations. Rationale: Fundamental resources must be available forever. KPI: support is provided for visionary, valid scientific and humanitarian research and action is consistent with those discoveries. Example: Sustainable healthy environment. Counter-indicator: carbon emissions are ignored and/or industries that contribute to environmental destruction are allowed to continue doing so. 5. Promote world peace, human welfare, and international justice. Rationale: The world is essentially one and people prosper when they are free from threat. KPI: mutual regard and shared responsibility for international tribunals and inter-governmental organizations. Example: United Nations Counter-indicator: Actions are taken to withdraw from international forums and accountability. 6. Provide informed, enlightened leadership as a role model for others in national leadership. Rationale: Leaders should lead. KPI: the leaders articulate a consolidated vision for achieving the above objectives. Example: The Prime Minister of Canada Counter-indicator: Policies fragment society and isolate the nation from the community of nations.
1 Comment
LARRY E EVANS
1/20/2017 11:29:22 am
A GREAT STANDARD FOR ALL LEADERS...SO SAD, THAT CHINA AND NO. KOREA HAS SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED ENGINEERS AND SOME OF THEIR PROJECTS DON'T LOOK LIKE THEY COULD BE DONE...BUT THEY DO IT..WHY CAN'T THEY USE THIS KNOWLEDGE TO LEAD THEIR NATION AND NOT CONCENTRATE ON WAR...
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorRev. Dr. Kenneth Dobson posts his weekly reflections on this blog. Archives
December 2022
Categories |