The South African government announced today that it will not issue a visa for the Dalai Lama to attend a peace conference meant to deal with Xenophobia and overall violence in hindsight of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

As a result Desmond Tutu and F.W. de Klerk have already pulled out. The move is seen as a way to avoid conflict with the Chinese government even though South Africa denies it. Why else would you not let the Dalai Lama in.

Other countries have been way more diplomatic in their way to deal with the Tibet problem.

The South African government seem to be fairly dependent from trade with China. The peace conference is doomed to fail as a result. Maybe it is better hosted somewhere else.

The signal sent is that non-violence and peace might not seem to be top priorities. The government will give in to threats by powerful forces. That could have implications in South Africa’s efforts to present itself as a safe place for visitors to attend the World Cup.

Keep in mind that China is not the biggest force in World Soccer. No matter how big their efforts. China has maybe won this battle. On the pitch in 2010 they’ll be a non-factor.

Banning the Dalai Lama from a peace conference feels a little like banner a soccer ball from the game.

Posted under 2010 World Cup, Everything Else

Desmond Tutu was in Denver last night as part of the Insight Speaker Series. Thanks to the organizer Elizabeth Weiland I was able to score a front row seat and access to the reception after the event.
Mr. Tutu appeared still very dynamic and energetic at the age of 76. Stil a force to reckon with. Mayor Hickenlooper introduced him as one of the most inspirational speakers of the 20th century. Read More…

Posted under Everything Else

I am excited about the progress of South Africa Project so far. We just started and are still in the infant stage.

Regardless of that I’d like to share a few things that have happened so far:

1. We’ve had our first board meeting of Ubuntu Now last week (Ubuntu Now is the non-profit that runs South Africa Project). You can check out our directors here.
2. We are in the process of doing a ton of research. My wife Rashin has been digging out a ton of material and started to share links on an account at delicious.
3. We are hoping to finish all our paperwork for our 501(c)(3) filing this week. Unfortunately the IRS will take some time to grant us tax exempt status.
4. I also had a great meeting with Eugene Cho a few days ago. He is on an amazing path trying to make a difference. More people like him and we’d be all set in this world.
5. Our Facebook Group is at 88 members already and we haven’t even begun to promote it. Thanks Everyone to your support. We also started a fan page that you can join as well. I know that sounds a bit confusing (double whammy?) but Facebook allows us to be more interactive with our group page and the “fan page” has the advantage of better Google visibility.

What’s next?
I am excited about Archbishop Desmond Tutu coming to town as part of the Insight Speaker Series on October 22nd. He will be very busy in Denver but I am hoping to have a little personal exchange with him.

Before that I’ll be heading to BarCamp Africa on October 11th. It will be a great event to connect with like-minded people. After all we are in this together.

But before these two events we still have a ton of work to do:

• Making it easier to interact with us via our website (big no-brainer!)
• Creating the first small fundraising programs
• Reaching out to more local organizations in South Africa
• Reaching out to markers / agencies interested in cause marketing projects
• Finding therapists willing to contribute to the program development
• And so on and so on…

Bottom line:
The more I write the less time I have for what I should be doing now. Rest assured, our team will keep you posted about our progress and the connections we’ll make.

Posted under Everything Else, Meeting South Africa