Future Forward: Essays from the World Government Summit

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A Global Affairs Media Network F E BR UA RY 1 2 - 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 I S PECIAL REPORT ON TH E W ORLD GOVERN M EN T SUM M IT

FUTURE FORWARD SPECIAL COLLECTION FROM THE WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT INTRODUCTION BY ANA C. ROLD

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Contents VO L UME 1 1 I S PE CIA L R E PO R T O N TH E W ORLD GOVERN M EN T SUM M IT I M ARCH 2017

06 I Editor’s Note:

Impressions From

the 2017 World

Government Summit

32 I How Advanced Science

is Shaping the Future

of Governments

By: Ana C. Rold

12 I Keynote Address:

Helen Clark

Review by: David Clemens

14 I Discover the Happiness

Zones Around the World

Review by: Winona Roylance Presenter: Dan Buettner

18 I A Conversation

with Elon Musk

Review by: Winona Roylance

20 I The Future Model of

Higher Education

Review by: Winona Roylance Presenter: Andrew Bowen

Review by: David Clemens Presenter: Joseph Aoun

Presenter: Brian Greene

34 I Wake Up Call:

Face Reading

08 I Agile Governments

and the Survival in an

Ever-Changing World

Review by: Bailey Piazza

22 I Can Our Education

System Destroy Talent?

Review by: David Clemens

26 I Gen Z: They’re Coming.

Will They Disrupt Governments?

Review by: Bailey Piazza Presenter: Thomas Koulopoulos

28 I The GDP Is Dead.

Long Live ‘Happiness’

Story by: Arturo Bris

30 I The Power of Play

Review by: David Clemens

Presenter: Eric Standop

36 I Privacy and Prosperity:

How Can Governments

Strike the Balance?

Presenter: Scott Barry Kaufman

Review by: David Clemens

Review by: Bailey Piazza Presenter: Bruce Schneier

38 I The Japanese Model

in Diplomacy

Review by: Bailey Piazza Presenter: Tomoko Kitagawa

40 I The Value of Trade:

Growing Economies,

Improving Lives

Review by: Bailey Piazza Presenters: H.E. President Macky Sall; H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem; Richard Quest

Presenter: Hanan Al-Hroub

Masthead Publishing house Medauras Global publisher & ceo Ana C. Rold Editorial Advisors Andrew M. Beato Sir Ian Forbes Lisa Gable Mary D. Kane Greg Lebedev Anita McBride Creative Director Christian Gilliham director of social media Alexcia Chambers un correspondent Akshan de Alwis

WGS PRESENTERS Featured in report Joseph Aoun Andrew Bowen Arturo Bris Dan Buettner Helen Clark Brian Greene Hanan Al-Hroub Scott Barry Kaufman Tomoko Kitagawa Thomas Koulopoulos Elon Musk Richard Quest H.E. Macky Sall Bruce Schneier Eric Standop H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem

DC EDITORS Michael Kofman Paul Nash Report authors David Clemens Winona Roylance Bailey Piazza senior photographers Michelle Guillermin Sebastian Rich CONTRIBUTORS Charles Crawford Justin Goldman Joshua Huminski Sarah Jones Arun S. Nair Richard Rousseau

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ART/PHOTOGRAPHY/ILLUSTRATIONS. All images used in the report are by ThinkStock Photos.com, BigStockPhotos.com, the Public Domain, and Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons).

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IMPRESSIONS F FROM THE 2017 WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT By: Ana C. Rold

rom Davos to Dubai, the first quarter of 2017 has already seen its fair share of global summitry.

The backdrop: weary global publics are rejecting globalization and looking inward. Starting with Brexit in the United Kingdom and following with the election of Donald J. Trump in the United States, the very countries that founded the world’s preeminent organizations after 1945 are now rejecting what helped make them dominant in the first place.

As is the case with geopolitics, power abhors vacuum and this retreat from the U.S. and the UK will give rise to new actors. Indeed, the free movement of people, services, and ideas will not halt anytime soon. It will happen regardless. New champions will support and recalibrate how it’s done. But is the new champion of the liberal international order Chinese President Xi Jinping? If you were in Davos in January, you may have thought so.

The discussions there centered around what global leaders can do to help better communicate the benefits of international cooperation, trade, and globalization. The anxiety stemming from the unknowns of a new American president taking office just days from Davos was palpable.

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I witnessed the exact opposite in Dubai at the fifth installment of the World Government Summit. In Dubai, the focus was the future and the mood from the international media corps was jubilant. An assortment of leaders was in attendance: media personalities, heads of the world’s top organizations, corporate, academic, and diplomatic leaders, and many more.

The center theme? How can leaders dream boldly for a better future?

William Gibson, a sci-fi writer, once famously said: “The Future is already here; it’s just unevenly distributed.”

From flying cars to vertical farming to machine learning and even a VR tour to a future human colony in Mars, the organizers at WGS made clear that the future is now and it is maybe even better than fiction.

But the accomplishment of WGS is something bigger. When I first started writing about the future over a decade ago, being labeled a “futurist” was akin to being labeled a “fortuneteller.” Sure, there was an audience for it, but you were not considered a serious thought leader. Now, thinking like a futurist—and even better—being considered one, makes you a better and more effective leader.

At WGS, that seemed to be the mantra of those attending and those

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speaking at so many of the sessions: leaders need to embrace the skills, practices, and behaviors of futurists.

Of course, let me be abundantly clear: futurists don’t exactly predict the future.

But thinking like a futurist is incredibly valuable for those in government.

Going from what is a possible or probable future to what is a preferred future requires not just knowledge of trends and strategic forecasting, it requires disciplined dreaming. To dream boldly of new possibilities, to dream of a preferred future that is 10 times better or more impactful than what we have today, requires leadership that not only gets it but invests in it.

That is what I witnessed at the World Government Summit. Not just another stop in the calendar of high summitry— though, don’t get me wrong, WGS definitely belongs in the genre. But a tangible investment in the future. There are plenty of great summits that provide convening space for high-level leaders. Few provide a space for youth to advance. The hosts at WGS have a great opportunity to be trailblazers here. Already WGS is a platform for youth to incubate big ideas and present on a global stage. And win awards for them. That is what I call investing in the future.

The barometer for success in such global gatherings is not just who attends (there was no shortage of important people at WGS and you can read for yourself if you go to the website) but what happens after.

The concept is not new.

Uncommon collaborations are the hallmark of the Sustainable Development Goals, spearheaded by the United Nations in 2015. The idea is that actors from a variety of sectors get together to co-create a better future for all. The UN has—for many years already—been the platform where leaders from all sectors get together to find solutions to the biggest existential threats and issues of humanity. It was, therefore, quite fitting that alongside WGS there were a number of SDG-related panels and presentations (organized by the UN, the UN Foundation, and WGS) focused on the role of innovation and technology in citizen well-being, among others. It was perhaps the best pronouncement the hosts could make: governments can’t be serious about the well-being of their citizenry unless they invest directly on their future. And there is no better proclamation or platform that speaks directly to that than the Sustainable Development Goals.

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We have much to learn from the UAE. A wealthy nation that made its fortune on fossil fuel is now investing in sustainable megaprojects such as the futuristic city of Masdar and has a Minister of Happiness and a Minister of Tolerance. There is much to despair about in the world of geopolitics nowadays but let’s take solace that there is a cohort of futurists that are dreaming up a future than is 10 times better. And they are putting their money where their mouth is.

We hope you enjoy the collection of reports we put together from this year’s World Government Summit.

As always, we welcome your letters to the editor. ●

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ana C. Rold is the Founder and CEO of Diplomatic Courier. Since 2009 Rold has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the G7, G20, and APEC Summit Magazines. Rold teaches Comparative Politics and Political Science at Northeastern University. At Northeastern, she has also served as the Director of the Cyprus Program and co-Director of the Egypt Program for Northeastern’s Dialogue of Civilizations Initiative. Rold is a member of the National Press Club, a Board Member of the Center for Education Diplomacy, and a Member of the Council of Women’s Democracy Network in Washington, DC.

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AGILE W GOVERNMENTS AND THE SURVIVAL IN AN EVERCHANGING WORLD Presenter: Steven Kotler

hat if it were possible for governments to create brand-new, cost-effective infrastructures on a daily basis, to provide disaster relief almost instantaneously, and to create an education system that catered not only to every student in the country, but also to each individual student’s needs?

Because most of today’s governments were designed in other centuries – some even in other millennia – many of these institutions have had difficulty tackling nationwide issues with the speed and efficiency necessary to keep up with the fast-paced world we live in. However, the introduction of new physical and mental technologies is not only leveling up the scale of private sectors, it also has the ability to transform government into an agile and flexible entity.

Through the use of these physical technologies – such as computers, robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing – as well as mental technologies such as the concept of Flow, governments now have the capacity for rapid large-scale change in sectors across the board. With technology evolving exponentially, it is not only necessary, but also imperative that governments keep up with and adapt to these constantly evolving MARCH 2017 08

changes in an effort to solve nationwide issues with rapid efficiency.

KEY TAKEAWAYS Physical technologies are evolving at an exponential rate. Moore’s Law, which states that the rate at which technology evolves doubles every 18 months, has been observed in all technologies that involve information processing. Even more startling, it does not appear to be stopping anytime soon. This means that it is crucial for government to be as involved in technology as possible in order to not only keep up with technology’s rapid pace, but to be ahead of it.

Technology is increasing in computing power while decreasing in price. Since the introduction of supercomputers in the 1970’s, technology (such as your cellphone) has become a thousand times cheaper, a million times smaller, and a million times faster than its predecessors. In fact, 9 years from now it is projected that the average $1000 laptop will have the same computing power as the human brain; 25 years after that, the average $1000 laptop will have the same computing power as every human brain on the planet.

S P E C I A L R E P O RT

“If you understand why agile government is now a possibility, you need to understand the technology that is available to us, technology that is now accelerating exponentially.

Exponential growth is different than linear growth.”

It is not only computers that follow Moore’s Law. Technology such as artificial intelligence, robotics, digital currency, virtual reality, sensors, 3D printing, solar energy, nanotechnology, and biotechnology are also advancing exponentially. In fact, biotechnology is advancing at a rate that is five times as fast as Moore’s Law, doubling in power every 4 months instead of 18.

There are an infinite number of ways that government can use this technology. Technology can be used to level up the scale in all sectors, such as healthcare, finance, education, and even infrastructure.

China is already using advanced technologies for both infrastructure and social change. Through the use of 3D printing, China has begun to create houses that are both easily built as well as cost-effective. In fact, the Chinese government can now print 10 single family homes per day for only $5000 each, a process which both relieves poverty-related issues as well as assists in urban planning. This process can also be used for disaster relief.

The US is attempting to revolutionize the healthcare industry through new technologies. Mobile technology

company Qualcomm is currently holding a contest to create the first tricorder – a hand-held device inspired

by Star Trek that could be used to immediately diagnose patients with more efficiency than a board-certified doctor. With medical misdiagnosis being the third leading cause of death in the United States, technologies such as the tricorder are essential to the creation of an optimal healthcare system.

implemented to maximize mental capacity. Flow is an optimal state of consciousness where we feel our best and perform our best, and can be achieved in many different ways:

Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence can be used together to revolutionize education. With advanced artificial intelligence, learning can be customized to a student’s needs, desires, and learning styles.

With virtual reality, students can experience individualized learning environments that fully engage their senses. Together, virtual reality and artificial intelligence have the ability to create a system that is fully distributed, customized, and independent.

Flow is ubiquitous. Flow is seen in every individual around the world, regardless of age, race, gender, status, and other such factors.

Mental concepts such as Flow can help people keep up with the rapid change of technology. The human brain was not meant to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change – therefore, it is imperative that mental technologies such as Flow be

Flow is the source code for happiness and well-being. Studies have shown that people who score the most on happiness and well-being scales tend to have the most Flow in their lives.

Flow is present in gold medalists, art, major breakthroughs in science and

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Flow is a specific mental state. It is when you feel so focused on the task at hand that everything else disappears – action and awareness begin to merge, you lose your sense of self, and time begins to pass strangely.

Flow is definable and measureable.

Flow can be found in neurochemicals in the brain, with five of the most potent – and pleasurable – chemicals appearing while a person is in Flow.

In fact, Flow is the only time that all five of these neurochemicals show up in the brain at once.

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“You can be 500% more productive and creative and double learning times with Flow – this is what is available to each and everyone one of us today, but what you do with this information is entirely up to you.”

technology, business – anything that encompasses human achievement. It is also the building blocks for creativity, motivation, and increased memory, with learning becoming 470% more efficient in Flow. Therefore, it is vital that governments get involved with Flow in order to better their own well-being as well as their citizens’.

Flow is present in both individuals and organizations. Top executives are 500% more productive in flow than out of flow. Even more startling, teams and organizations can also enter a state of Flow similar to an individual’s through complete concentration, shared goals and risks, close listening, familiarity, equal participation, and open communication. This means that individuals, organizations, and even governments can achieve a state of Flow.

Flow is hackable. There are certain preconditions that lead to Flow, such as passion, risk, novelty, complexity, immediate feedback, clear goals, creativity, pattern recognition, and a good challenge-skills ratio. In fact, studies have shown that we pay the

most attention to the task at hand when the task slightly exceeds our skillset, thereby creating satisfaction when we overcome surmountable challenges.

Agile companies are already using Flow. In order to create more Flow within their company, Toyota uses the “Kaizen” approach, a philosophy which states that everyone in the organization is responsible for innovation. All ideas are open-sourced to employees and everyone is expected to contribute, which keeps everyone at the optimal challenge-skills balance.

Flow is not difficult. Steven Kotler and his team partnered with Google to run a 6-week joint project to study and implement Flow. Through the project, Kotler trained a team of engineers in four high performance basics using four Flow triggers. At the end, they found an increase of 35-80% in Flow – which doubled (or even tripled) the 15% increase needed to double overall workplace performance. Therefore, Flow is not only easy to achieve, it is also overtly beneficial to individuals, companies, and even governments. ●

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“Every day we are alive, we gain 5 hours of life expectancy – no exercise required.”

ABOUT THE Presenter Steven Kotler is an American bestselling author, journalist, and entrepreneur. His articles have appeared in over 70 publications, including The New York Times Magazine, LA Times, Wired, GQ, Discover, Popular Science, Outside, Men’s Journal, Details and National Geographic Adventure. He is best known for his non-fiction books, including the New York Times bestseller Abundance, A Small Furry Prayer, West of Jesus, and Bold.

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HELEN CLARK H KEYNOTE ADDRESS

elen Clark’s opening remarks at the 2017 World Government Summit focused on current trends in global governance. The Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stressed that challenges cannot be resolved within the traditional capacity of nation states.

Global sceptics have questioned the purpose of multilateral institutions like the United Nations. The UN is not broken but rather, must continually be adjusted for our times, explained Clark. The UN is succeeding in economic, financial, development, and human rights goals. The 2030 agenda proves that there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. Success in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will have immense long-term worldwide benefits.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS The G20 meeting at the leaders’ level emerged to fill the gap, especially during recessions as recent as the financial crisis of 2008. While there is growing outreach towards to United Nations, the G20 nations represent 85% of the worlds GDP and carry a considerable amount of weight in the decision-making processes.

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This weight puts into question the legitimacy of the G20.

Over the years, the leaders of the G20 have tried to incorporate more developing nations and International financial institution cooperation.

International financial institutions have had their controversy for their representation of emerging economies.

The range of finance available to these countries is broadening with the IMF. The World Bank has also been changing to better help developing economies and increasing the international voice of their governance and finance available. New entities such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank working with emerging economies are a welcome addition.

“In my view, this gap now in trade rules coverage and the growing equity of trade governance definitely needs urgent attention.”

TRADE BENEFITS The GAT 1993 round in Uruguay and the 2001 Doha development rounds have not led to the desired results, demonstrating the need for better

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“While the post-World War institutional framework has been enduring, always questions will be asked as to whether it is effective in the second decade of the 21st century. My own judgement would be that it isn’t broken, but it must be continually refreshed.”

alternatives. There are difficult issues that need to be addressed between nations. Less and less of world trade is covered by multilateral rules and regulations, hurting the ability remedy the situation.

Small and isolated economies are at a disadvantage when negotiating with larger ones when outside of the multilateral framework. The gap in trade rules coverage and the growing inequity in trade governance needs to be given more attention.

DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS The year 2015 saw the finalization of the sustainable development goals of 2030, the Addis Abba Action Agenda, the progress on the Paris Climate Change Agreement, and other multilateral agreements.

The UN summit on refugees and migrants were comprehensive responses to these problems and was an important milestone, considering that it the current displaced amount is greater than that after World War II. Further action must be taken to remedy these problems.

Right now, there the need to uphold human dignity is a great as it ever was. Today’s global problems are no longer confined to one nation-state, but the whole world.

PEACE AND SECURITY Since 2011 there has been a spike in global conflicts around the world. UN has not found it easy to address these new waves of conflicts. Terrorism and violent extremism have become challenges for how the UN addresses conflict.

Peacekeepers are now often inadequate, they also may not have a mandate nor equipped to act. In many of the conflicts occurring there is no mandate for UN Peacekeepers to act.

Reform of the veto power within the Security Council would help, but is hard result to achieve. failure of permanent members of the Security Council to update the UN’s governance of the past 70 years in the current standing of lesser nations and to allow new nations to become a part of it.

Clark supported the Security Council’s backing of West African nations in the Gambian election, citing the peaceful transition of power as an important step in international diplomacy.

There is currently a debate within the UN on how to sustain peace. Peace can be built and sustained through the long term developmental processes.

Many states that fall into conflict have a combination of high level of poverty, inequity, lack of inclusiveness and the rule of law. These development deficits cannot be remedied overnight, and

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thus the UN must be tackled soon to build a more peaceful world.

The new sustainable development goals can be a breakthrough as it links the building in inclusive societies with poverty eradication and environmental sustainability.

“It is important to find what is driving the current spike in the number of conflict, of course the form of the veto power in the Security Council would help, but it is hard to achieve.”

Much of what is holding the UN back from being a more effective body is the failure to update key provisions of the UN Charter of 45 should not stop nation states from moving forward to prevent conflict. The development agenda of 2030 is keen to assert that without sustainable development there can be no peace, and without peace there cannot be sustainable development. Success in implementing this agenda will have benefits in all these categories and the state of the multilateral system. ●

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DISCOVER THE D HAPPINESS ZONES AROUND THE WORLD

espite the general global increase in life expectancy, the ever-present discrepancies between different populations’ longevity rates has puzzled scientists for decades. What exactly are the factors that affect how long a person will live? Recent studies reveal that contrary to popular belief, only 20% of these factors are determined by genetics, while an astounding 80% of longevity factors are influenced by a person’s environment. Even more surprising, research has found that areas with high levels of health and longevity also tend to have higher reported levels of happiness.

Presenter: Dan Buettner

KEY TAKEAWAYS Life expectancy has been rigorously studied across the globe. Dan Buettner and his team have studied countries around the world in an effort to find what they call “blue zones,” or specific areas where longevity seems to flourish. These areas tend to share many similarities, such as plantcentered diets, healthy social interactions, and relative rural isolation.

Some of these areas include: Sardinia, Italy. This island off the coast of Italy consists of the largest MARCH 2017 14

concentration of male centenarians in the world. With a pastoral culture made up of regular, low-intensity exercise and a plant-based diet, many of Sardinia’s citizens can expect to live well past general aging trends.

Additionally, Sardinia’s culture of celebrating their elders has helped not only the older generation, but the younger generation as well with many citizens 80 years and older sitting on city councils and assisting with food and agricultural pursuits.

Okinawa, Japan. With a plant-based diet consisting of mainly tofu, Okinawa is home to the largest population of female centenarians in the world. This is accomplished not only through diet and exercise, but also a social concept known as “moai,” where every citizen belongs to a social circle consisting of similar-aged friends who support each other throughout life.

Loma Linda, California. With a population mostly comprised of Seventh-day Adventists, this conservative area has the longest life expectancy rates in the US. On average, women in the US live until 80, with men living until 76 – however, Loma Linda women can expect to live until 89 while men in the area have a

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“The key insight was that longevity just happened to those who live long. It was not something they pursued.”

life expectancy of 87. This longevity can be contributed to their strong ties to religion, which bans drinking and smoking and encourages a vegetarian diet.

Nicoya, Costa Rica. The population of Nicoya has the lowest rate of middle-aged mortality in the world, with many expected to reach at least 92 years of age. Even more surprising, citizens of Nicoya spend only 1/15 the amount of money on healthcare as North America does.

Ikaria, Greece. The people of Ikaria not only have half the rate of heart disease as Americans do, they also have a life expectancy that is 8 years longer than a US citizen’s and are 40% less likely to experience dementia than most other countries. One man, Stamatis Moraitis, contracted lung cancer after a long life spent in the United States; at the age of 66, he immigrated back to his home island of Ikaria in order to spend his final days with family and friends. He is still alive today at the age of 102.

Life expectancy is based heavily on environment. When we think of health, we often think of health as being pursuable; however, studies have shown that longevity is a byproduct of a person’s environment and not necessarily their efforts. In

order to change a person’s health, therefore, it is important to change their environment. In order to accurately determine what environmental causes shape longevity, Dan Buettner and his team researched populations with high rates of longevity and found several common denominators: They move naturally. Rather than making a conscious effort to exercise, those with longevity have spent most of their lives walking to friends’ houses, kneading bread, and other such activities where exercise is integrated into their daily routine.

They move slower. Rather than always being on the go, it is important to create time for reflection, such as meditating, praying, taking naps, or simply enjoying the present moment.

They created a vocabulary for purpose.

Those who live longer lives can articulate the reason why they get out of bed in the morning. In Japan, this concept is referred to as “ikigai,” or “the reason for which I wake up in the morning.”

Creating purpose in one’s life can add up to 7 years to life expectancy.

They eat wisely. Populations with long lives tend to consume a predominantly

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plant-based diet full of carbohydrates, vegetables, and beans. They often eat meat less than 5 times per month, and avoid most dairy products.

They keep their family close. Strong families that stay together can take care of grandparents who can in turn take care of their children, thereby benefiting several generations at once.

They belong to a religion. Studies have shown that people who show up to a place of worship at least four times a month live 4-14 years longer than those who don’t. Religious people also tend to report more happiness than their non-religious counterparts.

They keep a good social circle.

Because those you spend the most time with affect your well-being the greatest, it is important to keep good friends with healthy habits. Habits such as smoking, drinking, unhappiness, and even obesity have been shown to be contagious.

Most areas are going about health the wrong way. While most societies do tend to value health, they often address health issues in ineffective – and even detrimental – ways.

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“If you want to make a community, city, or country healthier, your most cost-effective way is to focus on policy.”

Billions of dollars are spent on solutions that don’t work. With $20.3 billion spent on health clubs, $28.1 billion spent on supplements, and a whopping $60.9 billion spent on diets per year, it is crucial that these industries’ products produce results for their clients. Despite the tremendous amount of money spent in this industry, however, health-related issues continue to plague the general population.

Dieting and exercising in their current form do not work. If you were to put 100% of people on the best diet possible starting today, you would lose 10% after three months; 90% after seven months; and almost all original participants after two years.

Blue Zones can be created anywhere in the world. The first area to successfully transition from an unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy way of living was North Karelia, Finland. In 1972, North Karelia had the highest rate of cardiovascular disease in the world.

After an epidemiologist began to work with local cooperatives to provide fruit year round as well as alter the recipe for popular meat dishes to include more vegetables, North Karelia saw an 80% drop in coronary mortality in middle-aged men over a 30-year span.

Dan Buettner and his team began a project to replicate Blue Zones in America. Beginning in Albert Lea, Minnesota and expanding to over 31 cities across the United States, Dan and his team have influenced the environment of these areas to create an effortless road to health. Beginning in Albert Lea, they began working closely with the local government to create policies to limit the number of fast food restaurants in the city, collaborated with city planners to improve sidewalks and trails, and worked with local restaurants to provide healthier options for customers. After 18 months, Albert Lea’s average life expectancy had risen 3.2 years, the city collectively had lost 7,280 pounds, and city workers’ health care cost dropped by 40%.

Dan and his team also created a Blue Zone in Los Angeles, California.

By introducing meditation to schools, creating a variety of bike and walking paths, and prohibiting smoking on beaches, Gallup found that in a span of 5 years, smoking rates dropped 17%, above-normal weight decreased 15%, daily stress decreased 9%, exercise increased 9%, and reports of happiness increased by 12%.

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Rigorous measuring is key to tracking and understanding longevity. In order to understand the health, happiness, and longevity of any given population, it is crucial to measure all aspects of their life, including food, exercise, and rest time.

Not only does this assist in carefully tracking change, it also provides investors with measurable results.

Offer evidence-based policy options.

Rather than trying to force local governments to adhere to an outsider’s perspective, policy makers should make sure to offer a variety of options and assistance while allowing local officials to have the final word. ●

ABOUT THE Presenter Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author. He is an explorer, educator, author, producer, storyteller and public speaker. He co-produced an Emmy Award-winning documentary. He is the founder of the Blue Zones and Blue Zones, LLC.

collaboration | innovation | technology | you

D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

A W CONVERSATION WITH ELON MUSK

hat does the future of mankind look like, both tomorrow and 50 years from now? With technology evolving at an exponential rate, a future full of space travel, man-machine symbiosis, and underground tunnel cities may not be too far from the truth. With companies like Tesla and SpaceX leading the transportation industry, this future of space adventures and self-driving cars may be closer than we think. And with one of the brightest minds of this generation captaining both companies, it is only a matter of time before this potential future becomes a reality.

There are three things necessary to ensure a successful future for Mankind: Long-term sustainable transport.

With the advent of self-driving cars and electric vehicles, other fuels such as oil will become somewhat obsolete.

Sustainable energy generation. With the transition to electric vehicles, demand for electricity will triple due to the decrease in other fuel sources.

Space-exploring civilization. Space exploration is not only important for the long-term survival of humanity, it MARCH 2017 18

is also important for the shortterm motivation of adventure and excitement. In fact, within 50 years, it is possible that we may not only have humans on mars, but also the moons of Jupiter as we prepare for missions to even farther planets.

“what really matters is trying to understand the right questions to ask.

The more we increase the scope and scale of human consciousness, the better we’re able to ask these questions.”

Life will be very different 50 years from now. When the Wright brothers accomplished their first powercontrolled flight in 1903, nobody expected that men would be flying to the moon a mere 66 years later.

Now with the introduction of the Internet and other such technology, the next 50 years may be even more unpredictable. However, educated guesses can still be made as to what our future may be like:

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“I think one thing that we can be quite certain of, is that any predictions we make today for what the future will be like in 50 years will be wrong.”

Autonomy will advance tremendously.

With the introduction of self-driving cars, it is almost inevitable that the car industry will become completely autonomous within the next 10 to 20 years, granting ease and convenience to consumers across the world.

Artificial Intelligence will advance tremendously. While narrow artificial intelligence – that is, AI programmed to work on narrow tasks, such as a voice-controlled search engines – may be harmless, artificial general intelligence – AI that is smarter than humans – is both very possible and potentially deadly. Therefore, it is imperative that government keeps a close eye on artificial intelligence in the coming years.

population. With technology set to take over most jobs in the coming years, it will be important that governments provide a basic income to all citizens. And while the increase in robot productivity will create an extremely high output of goods and services at a low-cost, people’s lack of jobs may cause feelings of uselessness and decrease human productivity.

“The way of thinking in physics is the best framework for understanding things that are counterintuitive.”

Self-driving cars will revolutionize the transportation industry. While it is predicted that self-driving cars will disrupt the car industry within 20 years, it is also predicted that it will consequently displace most drivingrelated jobs. Therefore, it is crucial that government prepare for the potential major disruptions and unemployment in the transportation industry.

Symbiosis between humans and artificial intelligence may be possible.

With the Internet, humans have already begun to connect to technology in ways that were previously impossible.

With the introduction of a high bandwidth interface in the brain, however, humans may be able to go one step further and create a symbiotic relationship with artificial intelligence.

Mankind must conquer both Space and the underground.

Universal basic income will be necessary to sustain the world

Large tunnel networks underneath cities can be created to relieve traffic

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issues. Unlike buildings that have a limit to how high they can be built, underground tunnel networks have a nearly infinite depth that can be used to alleviate traffic and crowding issues.

With fast, low-cost, and safe tunnels, humans can travel, work, and even live entirely underground.

Fully reusable rockets can transform space travel. If spacecrafts were to gain reusable rockets akin to an aircraft’s reusable fuel supply, the cost of space travel would be comparable to that of a plane ticket. However, the issue of gravity has prevented such rockets from being invented as of yet, although future materials and techniques may one day make this possible.

Your frame of mind will take you far in life.

Always take the position that you are, to some degree, wrong. You should therefore make it your goal to be less wrong as time goes on.

Avoid wishful thinking. Don’t ignore the real truth simply because of something you wish were true.

The best analytical framework for the future is physics. ●

D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

THE FUTURE C MODEL OF HIGHER EDUCATION Presenter: Joseph Aoun

an higher education institutions hold their own in a world that is becoming increasingly automated? With technology progressing at a rapid rate it is unclear of what role these intuitions of learning will play moving forward, as the traditional expectations of learning are changing. Joseph Aouns poses this conundrum to the audience and discusses his solution to the problem.

The current externalities associated with higher education are growing and will need to be addressed in the near future due to advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation.

The discussion of intelligent systems is becoming increasingly focused around the decrease in jobs that will be available in the future. Numerous studies suggest that in the next 15 years 45% of the jobs available today we know are going to disappear. White collar jobs are bound to be hit as well blue collar ones. On the bright side, there are also new jobs that will be created from this new technology. This transition will be a challenge for the higher education system, universities can and must prepare students for an ever-changing life. To do so educator’s must be in-tune with what companies are looking for.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS The Concept of New Literacy.

New literacy is the understanding of technology, data literacy, and other non-writing based systems. The current system give students a general education, these are based around the liberal arts. Aoun wants to introduce the concept of new literacy. There are also the humanics, the study of what makes humans different from machines.

The first step to begin new literacy is to completely redo general education to include the goals of data literacy, tech literacy, data literacy, and humanics, among others.

The one characteristic that makes humans robot proof is the ability of create new idea, products, and capacities. Creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovations are all goals that should try to be achieved through new literacy. The ability to create cognitive capacities are essential in higher education, yet universities have not focused on them.

The new literacy of humanics, tech literacy, and data literacy should supplement the traditional education structure. Once students know what is required educators can help them focus on how to achieve it. This is

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“What we have to do in higher education is to prepare and educate our students for an everchanging life.

No one is going to be set for life.”

done by bringing an experiential component to learning.

Experience Learning: The dichotomy between university study and real life is growing. Experience learning is building a different model of education by integrating the classroom with the world. This experience learning is done by participating in coops; paid internships of at least 6 months which provide skills that cannot be gained in a conventional classroom. For these students, nothing is given, every step they must complete on their own. Once they are placed in a company they get a mentor within the company to further their learning experience.

The model of experimental learning through coops has multiple takeaways. The learner now understands what he or she is good at in the workplace, in which fields they need to improve, and whether this is a field that they would like to further pursue.

From the learners point of view coops allow them to refine their knowledge base and constantly build upon it.

The employer benefits from coops as well, as they now have information to make the informed decision of if the student is a appropriate fit for the company.

With the experience gained from the coop students can question the traditional style of learning when they return to the classroom at the end of their co-op.

Post-Grad Learners: Who will train those that need to re-tool their experience? Because of the changes in technology coming in the near future everyone will need to retool in order to stay competitive and productive.

One problem with the traditional education model is that universities have focused learning on the undergrad level with research and PhDs, there is still not a full embrace of integrated learning.

There is a growing demand of those who need to re-tool to stay competitive in the workplace. Universities play the perfect role in fulfilling these requirements, however, many have given up on this aspect of learning.

To fill the gap, business have made their own university like programs to tailor workers to the re-tooling skillset they require. This shift is a failure of higher education to properly engage a very important demographic.

As it stands today, lifelong learning is not integrated with the traditional model, the current model assumes that people are learning in a full-time

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situation and don’t factor in employment of other obligations.

Lifelong Learning. Lifelong learning is not well integrated with the current education model, as it assumes that the student is in a full-time learning situation. Universities need to rethink how learning is provided.

Certificates, not degrees, have become a popular option in the business world and over time have filled the gap that the University system used to provide for.

Certificates for certain skills need to be reintroduced so that they can essentially “stack” to become the equivalent of a degree, allowing additional flexibility while maintaining education quality and rigor.

Universities will have to come to the student: as online learning is becoming more mainstream and practical the notion of forcing someone to spend time on campus can take away from the learning experience.

Aoun gives the example of his IBM partnership, a hybrid strategy which focuses both online components with onsite supplements to train its staff.

If Universities fail to adequately address this adult population of learners then expect to see a proliferation of more companies start their own education programs. ●

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CAN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM DESTROY TALENT? Presenter: Scott Barry Kaufman

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hat is intelligence? This question has fascinated Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman since he was a child, as he tried to grasp an explanation as to why no kids were truly achieving in the groups they were placed in i.e. honors, remedial, or normal level classes. Kaufman observed that all of these groups were not reaching their maximum possibility.

Why aren’t educators getting the best out of their students? Dr. Kaufman discusses the idea of small intelligence vs big intelligence, and relates these ideas to the Default Mode Network of the brain; essentially the state of the brain when it is at rest. Kaufman later builds on this concept by relating it to traits which best demonstrate lifelong creative achievement. His research has found that openness to experience is the single best predictor of this phenomenon.

through measurements such as an IQ test. For example, scientists have studied the g-factor of human intelligence to measure cognitive traits like literacy, special reasoning, form something people can refer to as small I. People with a high small “I” intelligence is one who has good inferencing ability and can recognize patterns easily. Some claim that intelligence doesn’t matter, but the alternative viewpoint to this criticism is that educators cannot get the best out of their students.

Kaufman believes that intelligence matters, however not in this traditional approach, but rather the way a person can measure it is inefficient in that it cannot be use to get the most out of a student.

The role of the executive retention brain network is correlated to this type of reasoning.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Big Intelligence. Kaufman finds that if educators want to get the best out of students they must to consider not only the students own abilities, but also their engagement and motivation levels in the curriculum. Relevance to personal life and perseverance are also traits that need to be addressed.

When looking at the standard metrics of IQ the biggest predictor

What is intelligence? For the first time in public Kaufman made the distinction between small “I” intelligence and big “I” intelligence.

Small Intelligence. To this point humanity has done a good job at monitoring small intelligence MARCH 2017 22

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of lifetime creative achievement was the kids who fell in love with the future image of themselves and personal meaningfulness.

Dr. Kaufman conducted an analysis which compared IQ score to achievement. The result was that 50% of students over preform what is expected of them. This phenomenon is rarely mentioned, and thus asserts that the policies surrounding education need room to allow for kids to “surprise us” of our expectations.

The best predictors of lifeline creativity when correlated to IQ is zero after the 10 year or 20 year follow-up, signaling that they are not very strong predictors of intelligence nor creativity.

Torrents, who conducted the original study, found a set of “beyonder” characteristics when considering lifelong creative achievement.

The standard IQ test nowadays does not take into account a student’s personal dreams or aspirations, Kaufman points to a set of “Beyonder” Characteristics: • Love of Work • Persistence • Purpose in Life • Deep Thinking • Tolerance of Mistakes • Open to Change • Risk Taking

• Feeling Comfortable • Personal meaningfulness All the above are personal characteristics that the current measure of potential does not account for. Of these factors the number one predictor of lifelong creative achievement is personal meaningfulness and a disposition towards liking a future image of themselves.

“I define intelligence, in terms of what really matters within our school systems, as is the dynamic interplay of engagement and ability in the pursuit of personal goals.”

How can we get to the Contents of our Dreams? To build on the need to support students dreams Kaufman has researched how to best build up their imagination. Kaufman believes that a student’s dreams are just as, if not more, important than the curriculum that is taught.

Default Mode Brain Network. From a neuroscience perspective, Kaufman

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has found is that the brain network that is most closely tied to the part of the brain that preforms IQ tests but rather the default brain mode network which is when the brain is at rest.

When in default mode the mind tends to be idle, this idleness encourages the brain to think towards the future and of personally relevant goals or rehearsed things that are unresolved. This is a recent discovery in neuroscience and has been coined the default mode network. Kaufman likens this network to be called the “imagination network” which participates in: • Daydreaming • Imagining and planning their future • Retrieving deeply personal memories • Monitoring their own emotional state • Reading fiction Kaufman finds that if we do not give kids the chance to use this part of their brain it is a use it or lose it kind of situation. Engaging in these above activities can help increase perspective taking and compassion, both of which are important for the growth of a child.

Kaufman provides the example of test anxiety of a case that especially effects

D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

“Intelligence certainly matters, but not the way we have gone about measuring it. We are not getting the best out of students.”

ethnic minority students who don’t believe that they don’t belong in a classroom then their test scores will reflect that attitude.

Imagination is what fuels compassion for perspective taking in the ability to understand others. People who exercise these functions in the imagination network show higher scores when tested for “openness to experience”, a personality trait that demonstrates characters which signals creative achievement.

Openness to Experience Traits: • “I enjoy concentrating on a fantasy or daydream and exploring all of its possibilities, letting it grown and develop.”

• “I am curious about many different things.”

• “I like to reflect and play with ideas.”

• “I have an active imagination.”

• “I have a deep appreciation for beauty.”

• “I get deeply immersed in music.”

• “I believe in the importance of personal growth.”

In 2015 Kaufman and associates conducted a survey and found that all of the above statements correlated to different aspects of openness to

experience. These were the single best predictor for lifetime creative achievement.

Kaufman also believes that these traits, combined with those who are not only dreamers, but also doers, are what educators should pursue in education policy.

Moving forward, Kaufman wants to come up with the New IQImagination quotient- and challenges the audience to develop imagination potential which can then be submitted to the Imagination Institute via a grant competition on their website. ●

ABOUT THE Presenter Scott Barry Kaufman is a psychologist, author, and popular science writer known for his research and writing on intelligence and creativity. Kaufman is Scientific Director of The Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also co-founder of The Creativity Post and author of “Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined”.

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D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

GEN Z: T THEY’RE COMING. WILL THEY DISRUPT GOVERNMENTS ?

Presenter: Thomas Koulopoulos

homas Koulopoulos, CEO of Delphi Group, broke some interesting news: we as a society are embarking on the postgenerational world. This means that finding identity within generations is no longer dictated by birthdates and birthrights. Instead, generations are dictated by behaviors. Koulopoulos is exceptionally intrigued by the sociology of Generation Z. This generation is truly cross cultural, celebrating individual national identities while simultaneously sharing a need for collaboration, transparency, and connectivity with others in their generation around the world.

Furthermore, this interconnectivity implies that anyone, regardless of what era into which they had been born, can participate in Generation Z. The behaviors it claims will inevitably manifest across all and any generations, demanding open connectivity. Open-source systems are an essential factor in Generation Z. The culture of collaboration between individuals in Gen. Z and the ability to instantly build communities working towards a single goal is the result of an increasingly educated global community and the fight for the freedom of access to information.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS Generation Z is not defined by demographics. Instead, this generation is defined by an escalating need for better and more open systems of communication. The owning of personal computer devices and connecting to the Internet of Things consistently throughout the day will be ubiquitous behavior.

“Generation Z does not expect an open, transparent, and cooperative society, but demands it.”

Who is part of Generation Z? Anyone can and inevitably will eventually will enter into the realm of Generation Z. The increased reliance on the Internet and constant connectivity will pervade daily life until such connections are absolutely necessary to participate in daily life.

Gen. Z will change how we perceive and interact with government. Fascinated by the highly disruptive transportation

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app, Koulopoulos suggested that society “Uberize” government, meaning that governments should reduce friction by eliminating bureaucratic red tape. Instead, “Uberization” would focus on the perceived experience of its users.

“Generation Z is the first truly global generation.”

Generation Z thrives on the digitalization of society. Generation Z does not just hope for an open, transparent, and cooperative society, but demands it. This is a consequence of an increasingly educated population, which aims to protect the rights of freedom of access to information.

Society is ready for Generation Z, but government is not. A world of Generation Z citizens is hopeful, successful, purposeful, and ethical.

However, governments still remain unconvinced today by the push for complete transparency.

Uncertainty can be used to the government’s advantage. Koulopoulos urged governments to embrace the ambiguity that comes with

transparency. Such uncertainty will afford more opportunities to citizens who will in turn discover the potential to create positive social, political, and economic movements.

Generation Z is redefining global citizenship. Generation Z is instilling a healthy dose of ethos into the global network of individuals. Ethics, meaning, purpose, and value add to the collaborative effort involved in international connections. ●

ABOUT THE Presenter Thomas Koulopoulos is president and founder of Delphi Group, a Boston-based thought leadership firm providing advice on leading edge technologies to global 2000 organizations and government for the past 15 years.

Tom sold Delphi to Perot Systems in 2004 and continues to serve as CEO of Delphi, a member of the Perot Systems leadership team and Director of the Perot Systems Innovation lab.

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D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

THE GDP T IS DEAD. LONG LIVE ‘HAPPINESS’ By: Arturo Bris

he modern concept of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was developed by economist Simon Kuznets in 1934. Since then, and especially after the Bretton Woods Accords, GDP has been the accepted standard for measuring and managing the size of an economy. It is based on simple accounting and can be calculated using output, expenditure, or income figures.

Therefore, it provides governments with an efficient tool to pull the main levers of the economy, but also a measure of success that, because of its widespread use, allows governments to benchmark policies as well.

GDP does not measure it all—for starters, it ignores the relationship between economic growth and income inequality. Growth is very often a poor measure of prosperity, despite it being from its original design Kuznets’ objective when he warned that “any claim to significance [National Income] would lie in its presumptive usefulness as an appraisal of the contribution of economic activity to the welfare of the country’s inhabitants, present and future”. Between 1960 and 2015, Colombia’s GDP per capita has grown in all but one year (1999), placing the country as the growth world champion—yet it is not yet highly MARCH 2017 28

competitive. Social criticism has mounted after the observation that, while in the last decade GDP has grown on average in most developed markets, real wages have declined because most of the gains of a bigger economy have rewarded capital, not labor. As a result, national governments and international organizations have started looking for alternatives.

During the 2017 World Government Summit recently held in Dubai this issue was discussed in depth. It was encouraging to find out that several countries have already started addressing the previous concerns about GDP. The Kingdom of Bhutan introduced Gross National Happiness indicators in 2011. In 2012 Japan conducted its first Quality of Life Survey and had already established a Cabinet Commission on Measuring Well-being in 2010. Attempts to incorporate happiness and well-being have also made their entry into some education systems: In 2013, the Republic of Korea established a policy of “Happy Education for All”, and Singapore has integrated Social and Emotional Learning as part of the Character and Citizenship Education syllabus in 2013. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

(EBRD) has already conducted three

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“economic policies need to pursue new, more ambitious goals related not only to individual income and country productivity, but also to life satisfaction & happiness.”

international surveys to assess the level of life satisfaction in 34 countries.

Interestingly, we also heard how new metrics and assessments are informing actual policy decisions, a good example being the “What Works Center for Wellbeing” in the UK. Bhutan is by itself a good example of how to measure happiness as an alternative to National Income and GDP. Through a subjective survey assessment, the government measures four indicators of national well-being: equitable social and economic development; protection of culture; preservation of environment; and, good governance. These pillars encompass what the country understands are the main conditions for happiness: living standards, health, education, environment, governance, psychological well-being, time use, cultural resilience, and vitality of community. Other countries are following the same path.

What makes people happy and why are people in some countries happier than in others? Why are Danish people happy but Russians less so? One can attribute differences in well-being to institutional, not individual factors, and therefore happiness can be managed.

However, happiness may be driven by genetic or cultural factors, and

therefore some people are by design more likely to be happy. During the World Government Summit, we found all these to be true. In fact, there seems to be a “happiness gene” which has been identified after analyzing the human genome of almost 300,000 individuals. The study, conducted by University of Amsterdam professors Meike Bartels (Genetics and Wellbeing) and Philipp Koellinger (Genoeconomics), identifies three genetic variants for happiness—in other words, our predisposition to be happy can somehow be predicted when we are born.

In sum—the consensus is that economic policies need to pursue new, more ambitious goals related not only to individual income and country productivity, but also to life satisfaction and happiness. Being that happiness is a subjective emotional state, we can still measure the extent to which the socioeconomic environment and cultural variables make people happy.

Are we in a new era where economic growth is one among many other objectives of economic policy? In my opinion, our societies are demanding a new direction for the world economy.

The productivity gains and innovations of the recent decades have not translated necessarily into more

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prosperity for all; competitiveness has come at the expense of income inequality; hence growth is not associated to fairness and life satisfaction. However, while we know what the new objective function of governments should be, it is not yet clear how to manage such an objective.

Using the analogy of corporate strategy, by now we know very well what the key performance indicator of a society in the 21st century should be—people’s happiness. However, we still need to find what the value drivers of happiness are: how does policy allow people to develop healthy relationships? How should education encourage positive thinking and collaboration? How can governments manage life satisfaction when it depends on cultural and environmental factors? Measuring is one thing; managing is another. ●

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arturo Bris is Professor of Finance at IMD and directs the IMD World Competitiveness Center.

D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

THE POWER OF PLAY Presenter: Hanan Al-Hroub

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ust how strong is the power of play? Hanan Al-Hroub’s believes more so than traditional educators realize. People are influenced by the circumstances under which they live, as such these circumstances have an impact on their needs and development. Often times those forced in though and unusual situations and must develop their tools in order to survive. Al-Hroub uses the example of Palestinian teachers to showcase how learning can be effectively done in even the most extenuating of circumstances. She used her personal story of how she and her children were shot at by Israeli soldiers at the beginning of the second intifada. In the midst of this political plight her children were having a hard time concentrating of school another with other related problems. The lessons and methods learned during this time gave way to the “We play and learn method”.

Play brings magic into the classroom.

Children have the right to learn while having fun. People are influenced by the circumstances that they live under.

In a traditional education mindset situations such as war would make education difficult.

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Even though teachers cannot control the outside world they can control the atmosphere of the classroom. Hanan uses the example of Palestinian teachers developing tools around the Israeli occupation. The resulting violence lead to a lack of concentration as well as other problems embodied in the students.

Hanan decided to adapt the students to their environment through play in order to increase their self-confidence.

“Through play, I managed to gradually get them Integrated with their environment, their classmates, their society, and to increase their self-confidence and going back to school.”

Teachers and educators are the ones which will create the next generation of children that will be a part of society. Through creating a positive space teachers can turn events outside the classroom into a key source of motivation that can drive students to grow. When a student is liberated from

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“I believe that play brings magic to the classroom.

It’s like magic in the hands of teachers inside classrooms.”

fear they can be inspired to become more courageous and hopefully strong enough to face the tough challenges they could come across in their lifetime.

Teaching skills and instilling values and morals through games is key to implementing this strategy. It also helps develop a team centered spirit rather than an individualistic one.

We Play and We Learn Method.

Teaching skills through games, is an integral part to this technique. It allows educations to instill the desired behavior in a classroom, but also certain moral values that will benefit society and the student’s perception of the world.

Activities are designed in the classroom with whatever is available, using collaborative and team work to displace individualistic work and ego.

Working as part of a group instills trust not only between the students, but also within themselves.

This technique is used to limit the possibility for violence to reach into the classroom and cause disruptive behavior. Focusing on the student’s strengths, innovations, and talent can help turn violence into motivation, for

hope and change, and increasing self- confidence.

The specific tools that Hanan uses come from the environment in which they teach, normally it is recycled material. This method can also be used in other contents such as with refugees or those with special needs and in both rich and poor countries alike. If political and social visions aligned, then this method would work even more effectively.

Combining political and social visions with the education curriculum can play a role in influencing the student’s value and moral choices of their society.

Education policy which fails to acknowledge this role will be set up for failure. To avoid this problem Hanan Al-Hroub recommends better training before they enter the classroom.

Teachers also should be acknowledged for their hard work. ●

“Education never stops and learning never stops, we keep learning and improving. So, how can we keep the teachers motivated to continue to improve themselves?”

Teachers are Important. Teachers will always be a centerpiece for the classroom and for engaging students, and can be easily trained to implement this method of learning.

The process of playing helps to achieve the goals of testing, exploring, employing, and contemplating choices.

As a teacher one can turn violence into motivations and hope for change.

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ABOUT THE Presenter Hanan Al Hroub is a Palestinian teacher who in 2016 was the second winner of the Global Teacher Prize. Al Hroub specialises in supporting children traumatised by violence.

She grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp.

She teaches Palestinian refugee children, and her slogan is “No to Violence”. She uses a specialised approach she developed, which uses play that is aimed at resolving violence and tension. The method is detailed in her book, We Play and Learn.

D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

HOW B ADVANCED SCIENCE IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF GOVERNMENTS Presenter: Brian Greene

y using examples in Big Science and Quantum Physics, Brian Greene explains how advanced sciences can help create the future of life and modern society.

Greene emphasizes a supportive environment is an environment where science and innovation thrive. He does this by first delving into why man has forever been intrigued by the sciences.

Greene comes to the ultimate conclusion that humans are innately drawn to explore and understand our surroundings simply for their intrinsic interest. People and their governments all over the world converge in their shared desire to uncover these basic fundamentals of science and the natural world we share. This common interest stands as a model of international cooperation.

Collaboration does not need to result in economic reward. Greene centers his discussion on two main points delineating the relationship between science and governments: collaboration shows this basic drive of mankind to discover and collaboration can be incredibly powerful in promoting this childlike curiosity that often become dormant in adulthood. Science not only shapes future governments to peacefully work

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toward a tremendous goal, but also fosters a society stimulated by discovery and creative innovation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS International collaborations are a model for global conversation.

International collaboration is not just to create the next technological disruption. Greene first explains “Big Science” or “Breakthrough Science” as a clear example of the interplay between science and government.

“We have this deep yearning to understand the universe. We are not at all willing to accept that the world is as it is.”

Gravitational waves sparked government involvement.

After decades of study, theory, experimentation, and research, scientists have finally proven Einstein’s theory of gravitational ripples and waves. The detectors used to record the shifts in gravity have since been produced all over the world as other countries communicate with each other to study

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the original findings and invest in their own facilities and research.

This international collaboration was not self-motivated. The purpose of this continued experimentation and study is not for the purpose of some new gadget or technological advancement but purely for the purpose of understanding the universe. Greene added that this science may not have been established for economic reasons but ultimately, scientific discovery lead to it.

Seeking fundamental understanding has spurred continued government involvement in science. Greene continues his explanations with a brief analysis of quantum physics, the study of how particles behave. In Switzerland, a machine was created with the help of various other international contributors to study how particles react after being smashed together at the speed of light.

urges governments all over the world to support big science and the culture of discovery for the sake of bettering all humanity.

“The Culture of Discovery is ultimately the engine driving innovation.”

Science should extend far out of classrooms. The World Science Festival, cofounded by Brian Greene himself, has catalyzed many other movements to encourage governments to enhance education, thus shifting society’s perspective of science’s purpose. Ultimately, this culture of discovery is the engine driving innovation. When governments collaborate, we become more aware of science in our daily lives and global conversation is established and maintained. ●

Governments play a crucial role in shifting society’s perspective on the purpose of science. Science may not have been put forward for economic application but ultimately lead to it.

This is why governments should refocus their attention on the culture of investment in innovation. Greene

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ABOUT THE Presenter Brian Greene is a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University.

Professor Greene is world-renowned for his groundbreaking discoveries in the field of superstring theory, including the co-discovery of mirror symmetry and the discovery of spatial topology change. He is the director of Columbia’s Center for Theoretical Physics.

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WAKE UP CALL: FACE READING Presenter: Eric Standop

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ric Standop has been face reading for 13 years and believes that everyone has the tools to read faces to better understand and connect with people. Language can be used for development but also as a barrier, thus it is important to look at factors beyond that to express human emotion. The critical takeaway from Eric’s presentation is that one does not need to be an expert to realize the power associated with the human face.

How we use Language. Some would call it empathy or intuition, but facial emotions are an international language that every human speaks. To date, the only organization that Eric has not worked for is the government, he finds this intriguing because he feels that it is the field that could benefit the most from his teachings and techniques.

Peace talks would be an ideal use of his tactics to better understand the emotional state of the opposing side.

Consider the power of facial language when looking throughout all of human history. Language as humanity understands it came into form around 30,000 years ago, even though before that human had a period without language for 270,000 years.

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Language is critical for the development of civilization. Language can also act as a barrier and can act and presents a disconnection due to unique cultural, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. Yet, everyone in the world have the same micro expressions and acts under the same emotions.

Where to Look. The features that stick out the most in terms of showing emotions are the eyes and mouth.

Eric argues that both the eyes and mouth are the most important features on our face. The skill to analyze faces evolved alongside the development of language.

Both the eyes and mouth are directly connected to the brain via the facial nerves. Whatever a person thinks, expect, and feel can be written in their face. This can help explain why 85% of people make eye contact when meeting each other, 10% are interested in the mouth, while the remainder 5% look elsewhere. Muscles around the eyes and mouth are the most flexible and thus can give the greatest array of minute emotions that can change within a tenth of a second.

What you can read in an Eye. Eye color is not a very important factor in understanding emotions, pupils

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“We have a lot of empathy inside of us, and when we stimulate our empathy we connect with other people.

So, it makes no sense to hide our face.

Shakespeare once said ‘God has given you a face, and you make yourself another.’ Why? The face is here to communicate with us, not to hide something.”

give a better insight into emotion because they are directly connected to ones’ nervous system. Pupils are directly connected with the nervous system; thus, a person cannot fake emotions via the status of the eyes.

One can immediately read the emotional status of a person along with their expectations and health just through the pupils. Smaller pupils are an indication of the thinking process, while someone with big pupils they are in a place that deals more with emotions than logic or reason. Eric uses kids as an example of wide-eyed pupils, referring to their imaginative abilities through playing and learning.

Big pupils also can better indicate the emotional state of an individual, for example, if someone is under police interrogation and their pupils get enlarged then there is a clear shift in the individual’s emotional state.

That is why police shine a light into a person’s eyes, if the pupils constrict they are of sober mind, but if they stay enlarged it can indicate the use of substances.

Whatever is being thought of in a person’s mind will be reflected in their eyes. Eyes can still shine in old age, the effect makes the person appear very young, representing a lot of active brain activity.

Don’t Hide your Face. Every person develops their own unique face based on their lifetime variables. The health status of a person undoubtedly changes over the course of their life, and thus the face and mouth display these characteristics. Stimulating empathy allows us to connect better with other people.

A human’s face changes overtime and can be linked to health habits and other lifestyle choices. However, the underrepresented effects emotions play on the human face can have a lasting impact. Some emotions might change a face for a day, other emotional situations might permanently change the expressions of a face. For example, eyelid twitches can be attributed to an overstimulated nervous system. This example is something that can usually be fixed given the right solution, however, other emotional events such as the death of a close relative or a traumatic experience might change a person’s face irreversibly.

Kids are important because they are inherently more honest with their face. Many are taught to hide their face and emotions rather than express them.

For a face reader, this is easier to see than if they expressed emotions openly. There is a need to lift and raise emotions in the face rather than reduce them.

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The Importance of the Mouth. The mouth can show emotions as well.

In fact, the brain stimulates the mouth in such a way that to the viewer it can often show a stronger emotion than the actual words that are being spoken.

Gums, for example, are a rare trait shown in laughter in about 5% of the population, when one laughs, shows an overstimulating the muscles of the mouth. To a face reader this signifies that the person is a giver and wants to contribute more and support others.

This phenomenon is a subconscious action which, again, can be expressed in the eyes as well.

Everyone is a Face Reader. Everyone learns tools when they are kids, we just don’t put them all to use. Gestures are more helpful than body language.

Unlike body language, face movement is not driven by a culture, thus is unique and not universally applicable. Sometimes words say one thing while the facial expressions differ.

The belief that as people age it becomes more difficult to tell emotions or to display the ability to lie is not true.

In fact, subconscious intentions never go away and are always displaced to some degree on a person’s face, muscle movement is a more important factor than other indicators. ●

D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

PRIVACY & PROSPERITY: HOW CAN GOVERNMENTS STRIKE THE BALANCE? Presenter: Bruce Schneier

D

ata is the by-product of life as we know it today. Every interaction we have with computerized devices produces data.

As data creation increases, so does data storage and data usage. From this data collection, metadata (data about the data) can be extrapolated. The problem arises when we question why and how this data and metadata has been and will be used. The dark truth to living in the information age is that while this constant connectivity binds us and apparently solves a universe of problems, our dependency on devices makes us targets of surveillance and creates a myriad of new issues. We live in a world where the data we unknowingly and knowingly create is collected relentlessly (e-mails, social media, credit cards, calls, texts, etc.).

We must ask ourselves as a society to what limit is this collection acceptable?

In order to combat what we may consider digital espionage, it seems we must sacrifice privacy for security and vice versa. Mr. Bruce Schneier provides a starting point to uncovering the answer: transparency. Efforts have been made around the world to ensure citizen security online but there is still a long journey ahead before we can separate metadata surveillance from espionage.

Metadata is surveillance data.

Metadata can be classified as the time and place where we make a call, how long that call was, and who was on the other end. It also includes the websites we visit, what we clicked, and how long we lingered on the webpage.

Metadata is first and foremost a product. This ubiquitous data collection is sold to corporations, like Facebook and Google. In other words, we are the products for advertisers.

This sensitive metadata can also be used by adversaries to blackmail, embarrass, make a profit, or otherwise use as a weapon of coercion.

Security and privacy are not mutually exclusive. We are not secure when privacy is violated and privacy does not exist with security. It is not enough to focus on one factor. Prioritizing the need for security over surveillance will become increasingly more important as technology has a greater presence in government and critical infrastructure.

Transparency is key to navigating a world of complex data. The current culture of data usage allows large corporations and government to take what data they want and use it to manipulate individuals via MARCH 2017 36

surveillance and advertising. Society must demand transparency and hold the government and organizations accountable for the data they collect.

One network, one world, one answer.

It is no longer the case where a country can secure itself and not other nations.

We all use the same devices that use the same internet networks. We are all connected and we are all at risk in this constant state of digital espionage.

The security infrastructure we build impacts all of us. Possible solutions include implementing comprehensive data protection laws like in Europe and using encryption to increase technological security for the individual and society. â—?

ABOUT THE Presenter Bruce Schneier is Fellow at Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.

Schneier is an American cryptographer, computer security professional, privacy specialist and writer.

ROBIN HANSON

THE AGE OF EM Work, Love, and Life when Robots Rule the Earth

Robots which emulate the human brain – ‘Ems’ – could one day rule the world. What will life for humans be like in a robot-ruled Earth? Robin Hanson draws on decades of expertise in economics, physics, and computer science to paint a detailed picture of this next great era in human (and machine) evolution.

ROBIN HANSON Robin Hanson is an associate professor of economics at George Mason University, and a research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University.

Professor Hanson has master’s degrees in physics and philosophy from the University of Chicago, nine years experience in artificial intelligence research at Lockheed and N.A.S.A., a doctorate in social science from California Institute of Technology, 2800 citations, and sixty academic publications, in economics, physics, computer science, philosophy, and more. He blogs at OvercomingBias.com, and has pioneered the field of prediction markets since 1988.

May 2016 | Hardback 978-0-19-875462-6 | £20.00 | $34.95 Available through all good bookshops and online, or order direct via www.oup.com

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D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

THE T JAPANESE MODEL IN DIPLOMACY Presenter: Tomoko Kitagawa

he era following the end of the 16th century Japan is best known as the “Age of the Samurai.” Dr. Tomoko Kitagawa explains that during this turbulent period, Japan was unified and governed by individual domains.

These domains were highly susceptible to power usurpations by warring neighboring domains as well as civil wars with other families within the domain itself.

Many Japanese men earned their samurai titles in their domains by fighting one another for authority and status in these small communities. However, despite modern interpretations of samurai history in popular culture and even ancient artwork depicting samurais in battle, Kitagawa argues that elite, male, Japanese warriors were not those only ones considered worthy of the “samurai” title. Dr. Kitagawa tells the stories of two outstanding Japanese women who earned their titles as Lady Samurais in unconventional ways. Through unique acts of tremendous bravery and peacekeeping, these women provide a model of diplomacy exceptionally relevant even in today’s world.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS “Lady Samurais” played a critical role in Japanese diplomacy. Unlike their male counterparts, the Japanese women considered Lady Samurais were not participants in physical battle. These women relied on strategic communication to negotiate and compromise.

Kitagawa offers two exemplary Japanese women as examples.

The Legend of Higashi. As a member of a wealthy, elite samurai family, Higashi had little reason to pursue diplomacy studies in her carefree life.

However, her household soon rivaled another local elite family. The tension became so great that Higashi’s family feared the loss of its authority in the small region. After the death of her husband, Higashi’s brother and son mobilized to fight each other for ultimate command of the region.

Higashi could not bear the thought of losing either relative. Instead of choosing a side, Higashi refrained from participation in battle. Higashi ordered her servants to carry her carriage to the battle line, interrupting the war altogether. The carriage became her fortress so that either side could not

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instigate battle. For almost 80 days, Higashi wrote letters to both sides, seeking compromise and conditions for a truce. Higashi’s strategy of avoiding violence and relying on words was so successful that it helped Japan avoid what would have been a tragic and bloody war.

“The Lady Samurai wrote to negotiate, promote stability, and believing in careful words they put on paper, they sent out trust and hope. Are we doing the same now?”

The Legend of Nei. Unlike Higaeshi, Nye was not born into a royal or elite family. Her story begins in a household that did not belong to any prominent family of the samurai. Nei eventually married a foot soldier who is now credited as instigating the end of feudalism and the unification of Japan.

His lifelong success in battle led him to secure positions of power one after the other until he had reached the highest echelons of power where he began united over 250 domains. Despite her humble beginnings, Nei found herself in the position of being Japan’s first

First Lady. In order to assist her husband in his loft goal of unification, Nei employed the power of the pen.

Through written correspondence with her husband on the battlefield, Nei was delegated the power to rule over his kingdom in his absence, solidifying her role as First Lady. In other letters, Nei shows diplomatic prowess by maintaining continued communication.

By building firm connections with those who lived in far and remote locations, Nei helped prevent unnecessary trouble and aggressions.

golden win-win scenario. However, reality does not often offer that opportunity without sacrifice and diligent persistence for agreement.

Patience on all sides of negotiation is vital for diplomatic success. Resolution does not happen overnight. All side of the situation must be considered as well as the consequences and rewards of the solution. Rash decisions forced by time constraints could result in catastrophic costs to negotiators. ●

These ancient women exemplify how diplomacy should function today.

Writing and communication as diplomatic weapons. Using language to effectively communicate standards and situations to other parties is imperative to achieving mutual understanding. Higashi’s story shows that the power of a good education, in 16th century Japan and even today, is a potent weapon in diplomacy. Nei’s sharp skill in perfecting the art of continued dialogue shows the innate power in cultivating a sense of stability.

Compromise/Negotiation are intrinsic to the art of diplomacy. Unsurprisingly, diplomacy strives to achieve the

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ABOUT THE Presenter Tomoko L. Kitagawa worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and learned the importance of promoting international cooperation and mutual understanding through her involvement in the activities of the World Bank Group and the United Nations. After receiving her PhD from Princeton University, she taught at Harvard University.

D I P L O M AT I C O U R I E R .c o m WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

THE VALUE R OF TRADE: GROWING ECONOMIES IMPROVING LIVES Panelists: H.E. President Macky Sall H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem Moderator: Richard Quest

ichard Quest, anchor and correspondent at CNN, moderated a panel on the value of trade with the President of Senegal, Macky Sall and the Chairman of DP World, Sultan Bin Sulayem. In his responses, President Sall highlights how Senegal has become a remarkable case study of how a developing African country can experience economic reform and prosperity in a relatively short timeframe with the right government policy and social approach. Richard Quest started the discussion by drawing on the rising trend of countries to promote protectionist measures, taxing imports to safeguard a country’s domestic industries from foreign competition. The discussion moves to incorporate the importance of globalization to investment and economic growth around the world.

As the Chairman of DP World, Sultan Bin Sulayem speaks to the power of free trade and the desire for all countries to want to enjoy the benefits of such fortuitous trade relations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS International economies are interdependent. No economy is

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an island. Due to the grand interconnectedness of free trade relations in the twenty-first century, every move a country makes will have a lasting ripple effect on the global economy.

Countries cannot function autonomously. We live in a globalized society where economies, cultures, and governments are inextricably interlaced. Eliminating all ties to other networks is not only a massive undertaking but also incites crippling implications for the entire international community.

“We need the country leaders to promote transparency and good governance in order to qualify for more business.”

-H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem The nature of capital today implies constant global shifting. Because of this, rules and regulations are necessary to keep the flow in check without destroying the benefits of free trade. It is in the international community’s best interest to maintain

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globalization and protect free trade, especially in smaller countries.

The global economy benefits from globalization. Globalization represents free trade. As in the cases of Senegal and Dubai, tree trade promotes global economic growth, creates jobs, makes companies more competitive, and lowers prices for consumers.

It is in everyone’s best interest to promote free trade. Advocating for anti-globalization policies is actually meant to promote fair trade. “DP World is a global company,” remarked Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World.

So, anti-globalization would not affect the business.

Protectionism will inhibit growth and damage economies. Should the United States decide not to remain open, repercussions will be felt around the world. For example, previous trade agreements between Africa and the U.S. will place considerable constraints on Senegal’s economy should American protectionist trade policy take root.

Infrastructure is imperative. The Sultan confirmed that in order encourage business, trade, and sustainable

development in African countries, partnerships are needed between the public sector (government investment) and private sector to develop foreign investment.

“Africa is an open continent.” -H.E. Macky Sall, President of Senegal The secret to Senegal’s current economic success is a simple strategy.

Senegal’s new economic strategy has paid off. It has succeeded in transforming its economy through a three-pillar system: Infrastructure. Senegal has transformed the structure of the economy with better infrastructure, agriculture, and energy. The result is a more robust and resilient economy.

Inclusive growth. Inclusive growth has generated better employment and increased education in new, innovative fields.

Laws and Policy. The state of law in Senegal has also revolutionized the country’s economy. New policy strategy and regulation has led to the eye-catching 26% growth.

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The President hopes to share the new practices and strategies with other countries.

Preparing for the next chapter in U.S.-African relations. Although Former American president Barack Obama showed exceptional interest in Africa, President Sall seemed hopeful for the Trump administration. Sall emphasized Africa’s great potential with a growing middle class and continued development. He concluded by saying “Africa is an open continent” and that he is optimistic that relations will continue to go smoothly with America. ● A B O U T T H E PA N E L H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem is Chairman of DP World. He is a leading UAE and international businessman whose visionary leadership spearheaded the rapid expansion of Dubai’s infrastructure, including ports and free zones.

H.E. Macky Sall is a Senegalese politician who has been President of Senegal since April 2012. Under President Abdoulaye Wade, Sall was Prime Minister of Senegal from 2004 to 2007 and President of the National Assembly of Senegal from 2007 to 2008.

Richard Quest is an English journalist and a CNN International anchor and reporter, based in New York City, New York. He anchors Quest Means Business.

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