Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Yesterday, Monday, June 1, marked the beginning of the fourth and final group for the first year of the Enhanced Public Service Leadership programming. Seventeen leaders from government and private sector convened to start the process of building collaborative leadership to advance the country’s primary goals. Among those present in the group are senior members of the Ministry of State and Constitutional Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Road Fund Board, UCB Bank, Community Education, Labour Employment and Youth Development, Dar Rapid Transit, and Public Service. It is the most diverse group yet, with five women bringing their distinct perspectives and experiences to this collective endeavor. In addition, the range of professional backgrounds—from a hydrogeologist from the Dam and Drilling Agency to a judge on the Ethics Commission—has already translated to discussions rich with views that reflect contemporary issues in Tanzania.

As in each week’s session, day one introduces participants to the structured seminar environment and several difficult topics meant to initiate discussion around mindset—how to recognize one’s own mindset and the mindsets of others. In discussions about gender equality, it became clear early on that this issue is highly resistant to change. Questions arose about how and why ‘in social rights, men trespass to take more than their share.’ Another participant wondered if ‘because woman is subordinated to man in many religious foundational works, God could truly have been present when those texts were written.’

Today, the readings centered on issues of the use and abuse of power. In the discussion on a selection from a Platonic dialogue, participants discussed the idea of justice and if it exists in fact or merely as an ideal. Though generally agreeing on certain points in the discussion, the group was split about whether there is absolute justice or only somewhat contextualized justice. Participants provided compelling support for their perspectives and respectfully listened and responded to their colleagues’ ideas. There was consensus that instruments such as constitutions and the rule of law do help check potential abuse of power, but many in the group felt that the eradication of corruption and abuse of power is not an attainable goal.