Is the World Today as Dangerous as 40 Years Ago? | Working Capital

25 Jul 2024 (5 months ago)

Gumbo Diplomacy and Building Rapport

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, uses "gumbo diplomacy" to build rapport and facilitate open dialogue. This involves inviting people into her kitchen to help prepare gumbo, a traditional Louisiana dish.
The act of cooking together creates a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, allowing for more candid conversations. Thomas-Greenfield believes that the act of engaging in a shared activity, like cooking, helps people feel more at ease and open to dialogue.

The world has changed significantly since 1982, particularly with the advent of 24-hour news and social media, which disseminate information much faster than before.
The speed of information dissemination has made it challenging for diplomats to provide context and analysis, as news often breaks before they can send reports.

Thomas-Greenfield emphasizes the importance of Ralph Bunche's legacy, particularly his belief in the power of mediation and his emphasis on qualities like bias against war, belief in the goodness of humanity, and intolerance of suspicion and bigotry.
The speaker highlights the difficulty in drawing attention to the crisis in Sudan, attributing it to a combination of "crisis burnout" and the perception that African issues require more effort to gain international attention.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of empathy in their work, citing their personal experience witnessing the devastation in Sudan and the suffering of children.

The US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, discussed the challenges of navigating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US's role in it.
She highlighted the US's efforts to negotiate peace, emphasizing that they are the only ones on the ground trying to achieve this.
Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged the criticism the US has faced for its actions, including the veto of a ceasefire resolution and the continued supply of weapons to Israel.
She expressed her emotional toll in dealing with these difficult decisions and the responsibility of explaining them to the world.
Thomas-Greenfield believes a two-state solution is the path to peace, but acknowledges the challenges in achieving it.
She compared her role to "carving a mountain with a needle," emphasizing the slow and nuanced nature of diplomacy.

The conversation touched upon the impact of former President Trump's policies on America's global reputation and the skepticism surrounding US intentions.
Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged the need to rebuild trust and ensure a peaceful future for the next generation.
She believes the US's stance on Israel has made this task more challenging, but maintains that US leadership has never been questioned.

The speaker believes that the US still holds a significant position on the world stage, despite some questioning of its policies.
The speaker acknowledges that the world is dependent on the US and is concerned about its future role.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of the 2024 elections for democracy worldwide and expresses concern about potential backsliding in other countries.
The speaker believes that the US democracy remains strong, despite some challenges, and assures others that the US will continue to be a reliable partner.

The speaker draws on their personal experiences growing up in the segregated South to highlight the importance of perseverance and opportunity for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The speaker expresses concern about the future, particularly regarding climate change and the potential for future crises like the situation in Sudan.
The speaker expresses concern about the future, acknowledging that past decisions may have negative consequences for the next generation.
The speaker worries about the state of the world in the next 10 years and seeks ways to improve it.
Despite not being optimistic about personally changing the world, the speaker believes in contributing to a better future.
The speaker emphasizes that they are not narcissistic and recognize that they are just one individual among millions working towards a positive change.