Latest news with #globalcitizenship
Forbes
13 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Read One Of These Books On Your Summer Vacation: Become A More Hopeful And Compassionate Leader
Trade out one trashy novel for learning about leadership. Compassionate Leadership is using your head and heart to inspire and influence others, so they can, in turn, inspire and influence others. This approach to leadership has proven to improve ROI, morale, innovation and retention. As a contributor focused on compassionate leadership, I continually scan the media for positive and hopeful stories featuring inspiring leaders. In the current swirl of war, political unrest, violence, and economic uncertainty, it can be difficult to find hope in the news media. Therefore, I have turned to books that focus on solving problems through analysis and innovation, to keep hope alive. I love nonfiction books and years ago, I read a book that spurred me on by Tom Corley, in his book Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals (2010), found in his five-year study of 177 self-made millionaires that: I have been striving to read one nonfiction book a month since and I may meet my goal this year, thanks to my efforts to reduce my news consumption. Here are three of the six I have read so far that I highly recommend, for people wanting to become better global citizens and leaders: Book #1 Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference By Rutger Bregman (2025): The author is a Dutch Philospher who argues that many bright, capable individuals—especially in fields like finance and consulting, the so-called 'Bermuda Triangle of talent'—are squandering their potential on high‑paying but low‐impact roles. He urges readers to embrace 'moral ambition', a mindset that defines success by societal impact rather than salary or prestige. It may sound boring, but he expertly makes the argument for a new professional path as the answer to many problems using historical references and present-day heroes. He has even created a school to help people transition into careers that make a difference called The School of Morale Ambition, which offers fellowships to professionals ready to work on world problems, such as food scarcity. Book #2: A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir by Jacinda Ardern (2025): Read this raw and raw book, a master class in compassionate leadership. Travel with the author as she tells her life story from her small-town upbringing to global leadership as New Zealand's Prime Minister (2017–2023), all while raising her daughter as the second-ever elected head of government to give birth in office The memoir highlights how empathy and kindness shaped her leadership style and include her experience leading through the worst mass shooting in her country as well as her response to the the COVID‑19 pandemic. It also chronicles the story of what led her to leave public life after dealing with personal and political challenges that left her 'having nothing left in her tank'. For those of you who prefer biographies told through documentary, you can soon watch her story on Apple TV. Book #3:Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant (2023) In the introduction of his brilliant book, Grant reminds us that 'all talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not'. I read this book during our government's overzealous DEI reforms, and it gave me hope that we will return to common-sense policies that provide all our citizens with a chance at education and professional equity. He challenges the myth that talent alone determines success. Instead, he argues that growth, character, and opportunity play an even more significant role in realizing our potential. He emphasizes that: The book weaves together stories of unsung achievers, research studies, and insights from psychology and education to demonstrate that the most successful people often started from behind—and achieved success not by raw talent, but by capitalizing on overlooked opportunities. This book reveals how anyone can rise to achieve greater things and offers compassionate leaders a thoughtful roadmap for helping everyone reach their potential. I hope this helps you to escape the grind of the news cycle and find more inspiration through reading. You can find more resources about Compassionate Leadership here.
CNA
13-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
How Newcastle graduates are shaping the future across borders and industries
In the devastating wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed more than 200,000 lives across Southeast Asia and beyond, Mr Anwar Abdullah and his colleagues from the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management moved swiftly into action. To strengthen regional cooperation on disaster prevention, preparation, response and recovery, they spearheaded the creation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). As he helped manage the intense discussions and negotiations among all 10 ASEAN member nations, Mr Anwar drew on skills he first developed during his undergraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, Australia, from which he graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours). Ranked among the world's top 40 institutions according to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, the University of Newcastle established its Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore in 2006. The Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education partners local and regional organisations and institutions to deliver high-quality academic programmes and drive transformative research. 'The university's focus on global citizenship, critical thinking and inclusive leadership gave me the intellectual foundation and interpersonal skills that shaped my work with ASEAN and on the international stage, particularly during the negotiation and eventual ratification of AADMER in 2009,' Mr Anwar shared. Mr Anwar's contributions to AADMER are just one example of how Newcastle graduates are making a difference across borders and industries. As the University of Newcastle celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025 – alongside SG60 and six decades of strong ties between Australia and Singapore – its alumni continue to push boundaries, creating new opportunities that advance excellence, sustainability and equity at home and around the world. LEARNING TO LEAD IN THE REAL WORLD Mr Anwar, who is currently CEO of credits his leadership learning at the University of Newcastle for his successful career as deputy commissioner in the Singapore Civil Defence Force and chief executive of the Home Team Academy (HTA), a position he held until early this year. 'The University of Newcastle nurtured in me a sense of responsibility to lead with integrity, serve with empathy and remain courageous in the face of uncertainty,' said the former president of the university's Singapore Students Association. 'The university's encouragement of innovative thinking also greatly influenced my leadership style and has driven many initiatives at HTA, such as adopting new training technologies and reimagining curriculum frameworks.' Under Mr Anwar's leadership, HTA forged strategic alliances, nurtured public-private partnerships and established four Centres of Excellence in a boost to its global public safety and security training reputation. Exposure to diverse worldviews and wide-scale challenges during his undergraduate education was also key to Mr Anwar's tenure at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs from 2012 to 2021, where he served as a co-chair of the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group Guidelines Review Committee. Tasked to lead the revision of international search and rescue protocols, Mr Anwar recounted collaborating with global partners, drawing on operational insights and cultural intelligence to improve global disaster response frameworks. 'My time at the University of Newcastle prepared me well for a career and a purpose-driven journey in service and innovation. Whether it's protecting a nation, supporting students or shaping international humanitarian standards, service transcends borders.' For Dr Sunny Johar, the University of Newcastle offered a springboard to a global career. Drawn by the university's academic reputation and its emphasis on equipping students with real-world skills, Dr Johar pursued her Bachelor of Business degree there. 'The University of Newcastle stood out for its strong academic programmes, global recognition and commitment to equipping students with the skills to lead in an interconnected world,' she explained. 'Its focus on combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience aligned with my aspirations.' Since graduating in 2014, Dr Johar has risen to become managing director of Southeast Asia and group head of digital strategy at KRDS Digital. She credits her ability to thrive in fast-evolving environments to the foundation built during her time at Newcastle. 'The knowledge I gained about strategic operations and running a business has directly contributed to my career progression, helping me to lead teams with purpose and clarity,' she shared. Dr Johar aims to expand KRDS Digital's reach by driving continued innovation in digital marketing, advertising and technology, while nurturing a high-performing team. She draws inspiration from the faculty at the University of Newcastle, who encouraged students to think critically about complex global challenges. Those lessons have shaped her journey as a business leader. 'The faculty emphasised the importance of being humble, curious and striving to be better every day. As a leader, I strive to instil a culture of learning and continuous improvement, empowering my team to adapt quickly and make data-driven decisions while retaining their creativity, curiosity and strategic thinking.' Mr Anwar is also a firm believer in the value of continuous learning. After earning his Master of Science in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management from the University of Leicester in United Kingdom in 2005, he has remained committed to personal and professional growth. He said: 'By continually acquiring new skills and knowledge, lifelong learners become more innovative, resilient and better equipped to make meaningful contributions to their professions, communities and society.' As the University of Newcastle marks its 60th anniversary, Dr Johar hopes that graduates across Australia, Singapore and the region will embrace the opportunities ahead. 'The world is changing rapidly, and with the right blend of academic excellence, practical skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, Newcastle graduates are poised to make a significant impact in their fields,' she noted. 'I hope they will apply the lessons learned at the university to create a future that is not only successful, but meaningful.'
South China Morning Post
11-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
How can education help set US-China relations on a healthier course?
US-China relations seem to be shifting and changing minute by minute, and usually for the worse. Strategists can debate differences in outlook between the two countries from a political view, including where they share interests and where their interests and values diverge. However, there is a cost on both sides to the war of words taking place between the two countries today. With the rise of competitive nationalism on a global stage, ordinary people in both countries face harm from overzealous patriotism and xenophobia. A Pew Research Centre survey from March found 77 per cent of US adults held unfavourable views of China, while a 2023 paper by Stanford researchers reported 75 per cent of respondents in China had negative views of the United States. Such negative attitudes can lead to discrimination, bias, harassment and bullying. Prejudice leads to misunderstanding on both sides, creating interpersonal and social conflicts that then bolster broader xenophobic and nationalistic attitudes and policies. Can education help? Both countries value what we might call global citizenship education. While many activities and lessons can fall under this umbrella, vital to any approach is developing an understanding of the world and other people and cultures, allowing us to work and live on a global stage. Global citizenship education can be further described in terms of developing global knowledge, competencies, consciousness and engagement. Often this is not one subject in schools but spread out across social studies areas, also including international service learning trips, partnerships and exchanges. Global citizenship education aims to respond to the situation we find ourselves in today. Schools can correct misconceptions and stereotypes and prepare students to go out into the world and learn and work with diverse others regardless of culture, language or nationality.
