"Pull up the ladder and let them drown..."

That seems to be the policy decision made by the UK government, announcing that they will not prolong their support for the Mare Nostrum search and rescue operations by the Italian navy in the Mediterranean.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/27/uk-mediterranean-migrant-rescue-plan

For humanitarians it is a pleasure to see the humane Italian response, despite the country being in severe Economic difficulties

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/28/italian-navy-refugee-rescue-mission-mare-nostrum

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But let's rewind a bit. What is this, and what is going on here? Let's summarise (and oversimplify) centuries of history, geography, current events etc.

1. The dream of a better life (economic opportunities, safety from persecution etc.) continues to draw migrants, especially from Africa, but also from the Middle East, South America and Asia to Europe, and the EU in particular.

2. Over the past half century, coinciding with the building of the welfare state and decolonisation in (initially Western) Europe, European countries have increased restrictions and closed borders on migration from the rest of the world, while increasing to open and expect open borders for trade and investments.

3. Gradually the only real migrants to Europe from outside the continent fall into 4 broad categories

• Asylum seekers according to the UN refugee convention
• Family reunions (children or parents of asylum seekers or people marrying European citizens etc)
• Highly skilled migrants (doctors, PHD professors, nurses, Engineers etc)
• "Illegal" immigrants (often referred to as economic migrants)

Common for most of the immigration is that they seek a better life, because of lack of opportunities, persecution, insecurity or other reasons.

Ok, let's turn it around - what is this leading to?

• Asylum seekers, by definition, are humans who have gone through some of the worst things we can imagine for fellow humans. War, genocide, persecution. People who have seen family die, who have been subject to famines, who have been child soldiers themselves, who have been raped and enslaved. In other words, people who come as asylum seekers need all the opportunities, safety, support and help they can possible receive. I image myself as a refugee, and I am pretty sure I would be messed up, physically, mentally or probably both.
  
  However, for many "Europeans" (whatever that may mean in our messed up Continent where we have spent most of history trying to kill each other) , what we see is therefore that most people from "elsewhere (ie. those who look different than us) are "fucked up". And the conclusion becomes "people from elsewhere are fucked up". This lack of empathy, and jump to judgement is shocking, but yet perhaps very human. Reality is what we see and perceive.
• Family reunions, especially of people who are "from elsewhere", is an extension of this lack of empathy. "Why you need to build your life here? Can't all of you just go back where you came from?" It leads to a further lack of empathy and understanding. In fact, we see the family reunions as "proof" that it's "too easy to come to Europe, there are too many coming".
• Highly skilled migrants: Essentially the most brutal of destruction of the very countries where people should "go back". We need nurses? Let's bring them here from Burundi. We need Engineers? Let's get some Indians. Need some Engineers? Let's import half of the Philippines. And this is "fine", because after all, it is "these individuals choice to emigrate, and surely it would not be right to restrict their personal choices" (imagine ironic voice while reading)
• Illegal immigrants. Before we progress here, let's taste that word. Illegal immigrant. That we have even let such an expression enter our language is shocking. Let's be honest and call them what they really are. Humans in search for a better life. Imagine if your European ancestors getting on boats to the US where called illegal migrants? Or if in the large people wanderings that made you settle where you now live made your ancestor an illegal human being? Without rights, without dignity, without opportunity. Well, having already branded them as illegal (it's nice when you make laws that by definition can't be applied to yourself because you are born with a citizenship, right?) they are obviously criminals by definition. Without ability to work or live legally, to create a future within the parameters of our societies, their options are simple. Go underground, hide and work with whatever is hidden. And then we are shocked that they end up working in criminal organisations (most of which have their origins in the rest of our beautifully sarcastic legal society). "They come here illegally, commit crime. They deserve no sympathy, no rights, no support. There are legal ways of coming here" (which let's face it, there are not really at all for most of these people).

What actually happens is that the migration to Europe can only lead to one thing. More xenophobia, more crime, less society, more division, more fear and less social cohesion. Because honest people with the intention to come and build a future here cannot. Because we have no way of making our societies integrate and work for them.

So what's our solution?

Let them all drown in the Mediterranean Sea. After all, that'll teach them....

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In my short experience I learnt something about values and authenticity. One of the biggest problems Europe is facing is that Europe is not authentic to itself and its own values. Modern Europe is based upon the heritage of the Enlightenment, and more modernly upon the values of the French revolution.

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité

Liberty, Equality (before the law originally), Brotherhood.

Freedom for who? And equality for whom? And what laws? And who are our brothers anyway?

A society that preaches one set of values, but acts against them, is a society doomed to failure. Immigration is difficult, and I don't preach a simple solution. But I do predict a simple death of the society based upon these principles and values that we love and treasure so much for ourselves and our families if we do not align our actions to our words.

First of all, not rescuing humans who are drowning, and not spending money on that is just not an option. (Thank you Italian Coast Guard, and no thank you Mr. Cameron, we will not be led by you)

Second of all, when are we going to figure out a long term solution on how we can build societies that not only can be admired from afar across a treacherous Mediterranean, but where both the values (the ones we love to talk so loudly about) and our systems (yes, we will have to change the way we run our countries, our welfare states, our immigration policies, our integration), to welcome every human on earth to be part of a European values system if they so choose. And we will welcome them and build this world together because we are proud of where we come from.

Let's find out how we can break down these walls that we have built.

Time to reshape habits

It's been three months since the end of my term as President of AIESEC International. It has been some of the best months of my life.

I made a decision last Christmas, that I would consciously not jump into anything straight away after my term. I have lived a life at full speed more or less since 2006 - last five of which in a full time leadership role in AIESEC.  I love and thrive with the adrenaline and thrills that come with such speed and intensity. And for sure I will seek such experiences throughout my life. However, sometimes we have to slow down to understand what is there, to understand who we have become and to prepare properly and start again.

Habits of life
One of the key things I realised during the past couple of years is that there were some life habits that I never built for myself which ultimately will make me unhappy and eventually kill me. I am serious. I am talking about three simple concepts - nutrition, exercise and relationships.

Nutrition
I have realised now that I have never eaten well. I found cooking too boring or time consuming, other times I was looking for a cheap and quick fix, and most importantly I didn't know a lot about nutrition. How does your body truly work? What lifestyle are you actually living and what are the facts and myths you "know" (or rather, have been told by your mum, your government and the media) about nutrition? Well, you don't know what you don't know, and I know know that I didn't know anything. I spent around 10 days in the beginning of September literally reading about nutrition, diet, metabolism and biology online the whole day. I was honestly amazed. I mean, it is kind of obvious, but I never really paid attention, but what you put into your mouth, translates into every other aspect of your life - physical, mental, psychological, stress etc. It translates into your ability to live and lead the way you want to as well. Right now I am actually amazed at the performance up until this point in my life given how I have been treating nutrition. After those ten days I decided to make a change for me (note: don't copy any nutrition approach of anyone without reading and understanding a holistic picture - trust me, it's very individual).

I have completely cut or heavily reduced all added sugar (including all sodas, juices, pastries etc. etc), high starch-high carb products (potatoes, rice, pasta, corn and bread), cut all processed food (that's basically more or less everything in the supermarket) and have converted to a low carbohydrate, high nutrition, vegetable and unprocessed meat based diet. I drink water (and tea). In 6 weeks I have lost around 10 kgs, but I don't care so much about that. Much more importantly I feel great. I have stable energy throughout the day and I feel great. I am cooking every single meal myself, from ground up, and the only thing I will basically eat out is salad. Overall, I was amazed to learn so much about food and nutrition, and I think I was shocked at how bad the food we eat actually is (I mean, we all know that fast food is bad, but basically almost all the food we eat is bad!). I am not prescribing for anyone else to do anything in particular, but if you want to know what you don't know which will directly impact your life - day to day and long term - start reading about nutrition.

Excercise
On AIESEC International we had this running joke, that while we were all members of a gym, for many of us (although to be fair, my last team had a lot of impressive peeps that worked out a lot!) it was more like a CSR project supporting Dutch employment through our monthly membership fees. In the past 18 months, converting membership fee to times at the gym, I literally spent more than 100 EUR on average per visit to the gym - wow. Anyway.

I have realised that I am probably never gonna enjoy going to fitness classes, lifting weights or running on a treadmill. That's just me. But I do enjoy playing sports, especially football, and even skiing. I have joined a football team here (no worries, I don't think I will be making any headlines in your local newspaper), meaning I am getting a good run for around 1,5h at least twice a week. Yeah, it's not "working out every day etc etc" but it's definitely a good nudge up from 1,5h per 6 months. I even prepared my skiing equipment and am so looking forward to the first snow falling here in Oslo so I can start skiing again. We used to do that a lot as kids, every winter - especially cross country skiing - but ever since I moved to the States at the age of 16 (and let's face it, that's half of my lifetime ago!) I haven't had a full winter of skiing. Also, I am taking the opportunity to go swimming, especially when I go to Sweden to see my girlfriend.

Relationships
That brings me onto the third "habit", and I will call it a habit. I think many people who have known me for some years will have realised that I haven't always been very good at maintaining relationships. There's probably some deep rooted psychological reason behind that, but if there is one thing I have learnt, it is that you have the power - 100% - to change yourself. I think one of the key learnings I had through AIESEC International, where you work with so many people from collectivistic cultures, is how you define yourself changes. From just an individual in the world, to a part of a group or a family. Literally, your whole outlook changes. And I have changed in this sense, because I now define myself very much through the relationships I am in. I am not investing more time with my parents, my friends, my girlfriend and my brother than I ever have. And it really is very simple- what are you consciously choosing to invest your time in?

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The reason I am talking about these three aspects - nutrition, exercise and relationships - is because over the past three months I have consciously prioritised them, not only half heartedly or in between, but actually and every day. I haven't prioritised "looking for jobs" or "figuring out what I want to do", because I believe that the best investment I can make in my life, is to build habits in these areas that last for the rest of my life. Three months is not forever, but it's a good start.

I have learnt to cook some meals  (and I can tell you, it is quick, and once you are used to it, not really boring), I look forward to playing football (just waiting for that snow!!!) and I am spending time with people I care about.

As a random side project, I have been renting out my apartment on Airbnb when I have been out of town. I am just in the beginning of that, but it's pretty cool. Firstly because you meet people, but also because you start setting really high standards (and habits!) for your own home, and you become the side - benefactor of that. F. ex. what you may consider "ok cleanliness" for yourself, is definitely not the same when you are renting it out for money, or what you consider practical or beautiful changes as well. So as a result I have invested money, and lots of time into my apartment, and I can honestly say I have never lived so well as I am right now.

Yeah, but what am I going to be doing?

Actually, finding balance and structure brings a lot - and I have just last week started my baby steps towards my next steps. I will let you know in due time, but for now - I am happy with reshaping my habits.

The world as a football match...

For the past 3 years I have been on AIESEC International and for the past year I had the privilege of being President of AIESEC International. For sure the most intense and amazing leadership journey I have been on. Still, I was unable to write about it while it was happening - really. Grateful to AIESEC I am now embracing "life after AIESEC" as they call it.

I am back in Oslo, in what is perhaps the warmest and sunniest summer in my memory. Yet this particular summer is not a very peaceful one in the world. Right now there are two conflicts that are dominating the news. One is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, in particular the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The other is the conflict in Eastern Ukraine (civil war?) - which has rumbled on for months, but taking a bigger spotlight in the newspapers when a civilian airplane was shot down. Having just moved from the Netherlands (where most of the victims came from) a couple of days before it happened, I have gotten an extra close view to this event.

There are many thoughts I have about these conflicts and the world as a whole right now. In my year as President of AIESEC International, which is a truly global organisation, I had the ongoing and clear perception that the world is definitely not becoming a more peaceful place. It is getting worse. The level of frustration, conflict and violence, internally in countries and externally between countries, as well as people in general seems to me to be increasing - and quite rapidly. It is a big concern. Young people, unfortunately, rather than being part of the solution, seem to often be part of the stoking of the fires. Passionate, intensely so, we demand change.

I am a politically interested person, and I can for sure have many political opinions about what is happening. However, I think that is actually the least interesting, and least helpful contribution I (and frankly anyone) can make at this moment in time. Rather I would like to make some observations based on my leadership learnings in my year as President of AIESEC International.

1. It is very natural for us to focus on "other people"
   "The Russians are arming the rebels". "The Ukrainian government is provoking the rebels". "Hamas is attacking Israeli civilians with rockets". "The Israelis are killing children in Gaza". "The EU needs to change its policy to Russia".
   
   However, we tend not to focus on ourselves and our own behaviour. This is particularly interesting, as our real influence is over our own behaviour and say (actually 100%) whereas we cannot control at all how other people behave or what they say. By accusing others of XYZ what behaviour am I displaying? What is the best way that I can behave to help the world be more peaceful? What is the thing I can do that will actually contribute positively? This is the most powerful question - except we often answer it by "The best thing I can do is to do something to influence others", by which we have (again!) turned the shoe on its head again (ie. protest, speak out, demonstrate, write on facebook what I think, discuss etc.). But what can I do (focusing on the I - not on "them"?).
   
   Speaking of myself the best thing I can do is to spend more time to understand, read more - especially from sources that have different opinions than me - to understand others point of view better - to remain calm and empathetic - not to try to be right and prove my point of view - and in fact not to try to discuss or be right. Finally it is to demonstrate understanding, empathy and calm - because I can bring that, and it seems like it is needed.
   
2. We like to be fans - but the World Cup is over!
   
   Who do you support? Israel or the Palestinians? Russia or the rebels or Ukraine? US or Russia? Europe or Russia?
   
   I mean, this is absolutely absurd. It is not a football match. It is not a question of supporting one side. It is a question of supporting all sides. And to stop standing in the stadium shouting insults at the other fans, put away our flags and our banners, and walk away from the match. It's not a spectator sport.
   
   I support all humans. I support the end of violence. And I support dialogue and understanding. And it starts with me.

These two perspectives might seem very simple and straightforward. They are. And I do not intend them as an instruction to anyone but myself. Leadership is about understanding people, where they come from and why the world is as is it is. It is also about withholding judgement, and granting empathy, trust and love. And finally about focusing on my own behaviour and actions.

May the world calm down so we don't repeat the "July crisis" on the 100 year anniversary of the hottest and most devastating July the world ever saw.