"How on earth can we live together - How can we agree to agree?"

My family has previously attended this amazing forum which occurs annually in Sweden. Sigtuna is the oldest city in Sweden, dating back to  980. The Tallberg Forum brings together about 500 leaders from around the world, from business, government and civil society. The aim is to hold "conversations" to try to find answers to the problems that beset our world. Many sessions are open to the public and take place around tables in a big tent. Typically, the setting is one of natural beauty with music, poetry and culture interwoven. Check out the link below and take part in the conversation.

"How on earth can we live together - How can we agree to agree?"

The Tällberg Forum 2011, 30 June to 3 July, starts in the realization that todays established business models and governance frameworks are struggling to release the structural change that financial/ budgetary, social and environmental pressures are likely to require. Out of this analysis, comes the imperative for new coalitions of actors to step forward and drive new initiatives towards more radical change. This is true for business, civil society and politics.

The question for this year's forum therefore becomes: "How on earth can we agree to agree?" Because without a common understanding of the need to move collectively into a new paradigm, established interest resisting change will prove too powerful to overcome. Unfortunately, too much of the debate today is still stuck in the logic and thought models of the past.

Join the live streamed or OnDemand sessions to take part in these important conversations of our time.

A Celebration of Music and Poetry

My son's school has for the past two days been buzzing with culture - music has been ringing out from different venues across the school campus, boys are walking about either on their way to compete, or to support their peers and external examiners are having a tough time awarding points. 

I popped in yesterday to listen to the boys perform in the Junior Woodwind Classical, Light and Jazz section and was very glad to be part of the creative energy that prevailed. They delivered pieces from composers as diverse as Scott Joplin and Franz Danzi. 

The Eisteddfod is in its 25th year at the school. The boys compete in  five sections - Speech, Performance, Visual Arts, Music and a group Singing competition (which is the culmination of the two days). The singing competition involves every boy in the school. What  a wonderful opportunity for young people to explore their creativity and to appreciate the talents of their peers. 

An "eisteddfod" is a celebration of music and poetry. It has its roots in Wales and goes back to the 12th century to a certain Lord Rhys who decided to have  gathering of musicians and poets from all over the country, at his castle. A chair at the Lord's table was awarded to the best poet and musician. Over time it became an annual event, alternating in North and South Wales - it lasts for about a week with people camping in tents on fields, dancing maidens and men dressed in flowing costumes and meetings around a circle of white stones that is the mark that an eisteddfod has taken place. 

Who's your auntie?

It happened while I was standing in a dessert buffet queue at a wedding. The young man in front of me, pointed to one of the desserts in front of us and asked, "Do you think that is ice-cream or mousse, Auntie?" It took a few seconds for me to realise that this grown up MAN was talking to me. Calling me auntie. Did I even know him? When did that happen - strange young men, calling me auntie? I don't deny the passage of time, but really...?

I have been contemplating the grey streaks which have appeared as natural highlights in my hair and have decided that I plan on aging gracefully. Apart from some of the creaky bits that have made themselves felt, I think that I am enjoying getting older. The past few years have been interesting, I have learned much through courses and travel, and had fun along the way.

Now that my children are more independent, I find numerous possibilities surfacing to occupy my time. I am relishing the time to pursue interests that nourish me, like writing and photography. I also enjoy the more "mature' attitude that I now have to studying - I spent so many years getting into a neurotic state over exams that it is a treat to be able to attend courses and make the most of the opportunity without performance anxiety. 

I believe that I am embracing the process although don't for one moment think that I plan on being frumpy! I'll be wearing purple with a red hat that doesn't go, as the poem by Jenny Joseph goes. I think that there is a lot to be said for not being 'mutton dressed as lamb'. I shudder when I see women of a certain age trying to cling onto youth at all costs, literally and figuratively. As for the sexily-clad moms one sometimes sees in the car park, they put so much pressure on young girls to look a certain way. After all, unless you have Demi Moore as a mother, you would like to at least look younger than your mom.

Listen to Jenny Joseph read her poem here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cACbzanitg

Travel 101 - Packing and other advice

In today’s newspaper there is a Dennis the Menace cartoon – the family is packing numerous bags to go on holiday and Dennis is asking: “How can it be called getting away from it all if we are takin’ it all with us?” Which reminded me of my recent trip to Sweden with a big, clunky case. And it was very hard to get that big, clunky case up and down the narrow winding stairs when I stayed at a friend’s house. 

Normally, I pride myself on packing light (or lighter than my husband does). This time, literally as I was about to walk out the door to go to the airport, I discovered that the medium suitcase which I had neatly packed to fit had a broken zip and the pull-handle would not collapse down. So I quickly had to transfer to the bigger suitcase in which my neatly packed clothes were now swimming. Then, mistake of mistakes, decided that since I had space, to throw in a few extras (gloves, scarf, another jersey) – ‘just in case’. To add insult to injury it was not quite as cold as I expected, so I came home with quite a few unworn items. It’s amazing how you can get by with essentials and how stress-free it is to get dressed in the morning when you have limited options.

So here is a reminder of "Travel 101" for me and anyone else who may need it. 

• Travel lightly - the experts say lay out everything you think you need and then reduce it by half!
• Restrict your clothes to one or two colours - that way you can mix and match everything. 
• Accessorise, accessorise.
• Make sure all your bags and possessions are labelled with your name, address and a contact number.
• Be prepared to lose whatever is in your luggage - it gets lost, arrives late or not at all.
• Always pack an overnight bag with a change of clothes - it's no fun having to go around in the same clothes or try to buy underwear in a foreign language if your baggage gets lost.
• Wear comfortable clothes on the plane.
• Pack a good book to read or anything that could keep you entertained if you have long delays or stopovers.
• Drink lots of water or juice to prevent dehydration.
• A shower is the quickest way to feel better after a long flight (not a sleep!).
• Don't let your bags out of your sight and never, never carry a package for someone else. 
• Keep your passport with you at all times - you can lose everything but not that. 
• When you find a decent toilet, use it - you never know when you will find another or what state it will be in when you do.
• Be nice to the locals - you are privileged to be entering their world - say please and thank you nicely, and bonus points if you do it in the local language. Engage, be respectful, learn.
• Choose your companions or train them well. 
• Be on time - Murphy's law is fully operational and it helps having some time to move around in. 
• Don't charge around like a maniac trying to see everything - leave some for next time. 

Travel safely and don't forget to have fun!