January 2013 Posting
I had the honour of delivering a key note at the recent ASTD MENA ( American Society of Training & Development and Middle East North Africa) International Conference, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Even though I was nervous waiting to be cleared by a young Immigration officer for close to an hour, I could see the pace of change in the kingdom. The day I landed in Jeddah, the King had just appointed 30 women to the Shura Council, the traditionally all-male body which drafts laws, debates major issues and provides advice to the King. And, just a few minutes before my key note, I was very anxious as most of the delegates had not yet come in to take their seats. However within a couple of minutes past the start time, a flood of delegates moved into the conference room and I could see the rapt attention and the incessant desire to learn and keep pace with the world. The young people and the decision makers in the room were so excited to learn and perform and to catch up with the industry leade