Mohsen Al-Mayyas

Nationality: Kuwaiti
Living in: Kuwait
Programmes: ILP 2012

A friend once said, "Imagine a world without judgment," I tried and it didn't compute. She described it as "one in which you can truly enjoy complete and comfortable silence with a companion," I didn't believe her. She went on to say it's "a place where people are considerate, positive and real—where the environment is crucial, food isn't wasted and technology and stress do not take precedence over nurturing talents and appreciating a quiet forest and cool breeze," and that's when I knew she must have been dreaming.

To me such a utopian ideal world only exists in the realm of our hopes and dreams. Where people aren't tearing the world apart with their selfish acts. My curiosity got the best of me, and I had to discover if what she was blabbering about really existed or if she just had an amazing summer binged on LSD and went into a trip that she never came back from. And that's when I decided to join the WYSE family.

So how would you describe a unique experience? One that enriches you with probably more questions than answers. Questions that are diabolically critical to your development throughout this journey we call life. 

How would I describe my WYSE experience? With all the things I shouldn't tell you about the program, this one happens to be one of the most essential. How did it make me feel? What did I come out with? Was it really that enriching? Did it change my life? But as essential as the answers to all these questions are to this description, funny enough, in my opinion it's irrelevant. As individuals we tend to experience things differently and the dynamics of the program relies quite a bit on the participants themselves. So although we could encounter the same things our outcome will inevitably be different.

One thing I can easily say about the WYSE ILP is all in all it is by far the most unique adventure I've ever had.

A beautiful villa in the middle of Tuscany surrounded by green hills, grass and more beautiful villas. Across from this magnificent building is a long block of grass with a fountain and then a pool at the end. The weather is perfection. Except for that really hot day. The neighbors are Italian but friendly, and the community is composed of a miniature version of the world; people of different nationalities.

A lot of the time we go on with our lives with a certain general mindset, a paradigm, which ultimately provides us with a certain general set of behaviors. Behaviors that are sometimes focused on the task and the goal and not the vehicle accomplishing them, "you." We set our sights on something and go for it with all our might, and so many times we discover that our might might not be enough, that our will is not strong enough, our stamina is short and the distractions are many.

If there is anything you are taught during the program that could change your life it's learning how to deal with yourself in respect to the outer world, the different levels and parts of yourself. Like a sailboat in the ocean, if you can't sail your boat you probably won't be able to get to where you want. Keeping that very metaphor in mind, visualizing the world as an ocean where it is calm at places and time and not so in others, how do you approach such a vast unpredictable creature? Do you use a balance of brains and brawns? Do you reckon that may be enough? Do you pace yourself or rush in before the chance is gone? Told you, a lot of questions. 

If you're waiting for the answers to these questions I really hate to disappoint, but you won't find them here.

Why you may ask? It's because the old methods of spoon feeding and telling people what to do based purely on our personal experiences of them and our presumption of other's situation and needs is no longer affective. This is true, in my opinion, for two reasons: One being that people don't necessarily listen and do by what others may suggest because generally speaking people don't always like being told what to do, even if what they may or may not be doing could harm them. Second, because we as individuals are different. Despite the fact that we could come from the same background, what works for us may not work for someone else. With that said, our actions and reactions are meant to be different regardless.

Speaking of actions, an important enlightenment I received personally is how my actions may be reflecting on my environment. We hear and speak of many people who want to change the world, or better yet have changed the world or had an impact with all their wonderful hopes and dreams. And for all us dreamers we tend to think from time to time and figure out how change is even possible. 

It begins in making sure that our actions correlate with how and where we think and feel. In learning about the transpersonal you will realize that there is a direct link between the two, or else you'd just be a hypocrite. That sometimes controlling a situation is about using the right characteristics and sides of you in order to deal with it correctly and not out of pure impulse.

To anyone who believes that they want and can have an impact and want to elevate themselves to a whole new level WYSE ILP is highly recommended. You can search for the meaning of life, and what it means to be truly happy, what your purpose is, or your passion. Who knows, right? 

Growing up we all had dreams of being something specific. I for one wanted to be something different everyday, they call it ADD I think? Not sure. Point is, the answers are all within you and yet all around you. All you have to do is let the "WYSE" people help you discover the way.

Lodewijk Hoekstra

Nationality: Dutch
Living in: Naarden, The Netherlands
Programmes: ILP-2002, ALP-2003

My name is Lodewijk Hoekstra. I live in Naarden together with my wife Kristel, son Mels (3) and daughter Diese (4). I am a TV gardener and presenter in the well-known Dutch TV show "Eigen Huis en Tuin" (Own House and Garden) which draws about a million viewers each week.

When I was a bit younger I was seeking my identity and did not know very well what I wanted in life. For this reason, my parents suggested for me to go to a WYSE programme. I attended the International Leadership Programme (ILP) in Havelte, the Netherlands in 2002. Having gotten the taste of it, I participated in the Advanced Leadership Programme in Lucca, Italy in 2003. I have experienced the programmes as being very special and intense -- they have benefitted me very much. "What makes your heart sing", that's what's it all about!

What makes my heart sing is to be able to connect people with nature in a responsible and sustainable manner.

I always used to work as a gardener. A few years after the ILP, I reacted on the off-chance to an advertisement for a TV gardener for "Eigen Huis en Tuin". They invited me over for an interview, and the rest is history. 
 

Through WYSE I have realised that everything starts with children. I have initiated Green-Kids, which is a TV show that aims to make children aware of nature. Sometimes we have as many as 30,000 kids watching each day; how great is that?

Aside from Green-Kids I have set up a gardening label which aims to encourage producers in the gardening branch to make their products more sustainable - you could say I am a man with a mission :-).

I hope WYSE will continue to make people aware of their purpose, thereby creating leaders no matter the discipline! In any case, for me the programmes were a life changing event.

Marco Petralia

Nationality: Italian
Living in: Sicily, Italy
Programmes: ELP 2011

During the ILP I took part in September 2011 I met great people, had great experiences and great conversations from the first day I arrived in St. Braviels. 

There was just one thing that wasn't as great as the rest during the first days: our lunch! The hostel staff did a wonderful job preparing breakfast and dinner for us, but after 2 days all the participants (especially the Italians) were complaining about the lunch sandwich. That is why we decided to prepare our own lunch and together with the WYSE volunteers, we prepared excellent food for our lunch everyday. We talked a lot about differences and similarities in food culture in our countries and we shared recipes. 

Food really connected us. Actually it connects all people around the world and it is related to a lot of global issues: fundamental rights, social issues (work, fair wages), environment, fair distribution of resources, health, education, culture, history, etc. 

In fact, the first UN Millennium Development Goal is "Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger".

Achieving this goal will only be possible with a better distribution of resources and a smarter use of food. A smart approach to food also means promoting quality of food and its link to local culture, reducing the impact that its production has on the environment and demanding accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions for small producers. This is why, after the program, I decided to join an important international association created in Italy called Slow Food . Its vision is "a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet."

Therefore it is fundamental to reconnect people with where their food comes from and how it is produced so they can understand the implications of the choices they make about the food they put on their plates. I am convinced that in order to do something good one of the most important things is to have fun and enjoy doing it, and to eat well is a pleasure that can really make a difference in the world.

Natia Peradze

Living in: Georgia
Programmes: WYSE ILP in 2006 and WYSE Advanced ILP in 2009

I have attended WYSE ILP in 2006 and WYSE Advanced ILP in 2009. Sounds like two simple facts, however it affected my life more than anything else in my past.

These two trainings were the experience I am never able to put into words. When I am trying to reflect my emotions, I just end up being quiet with my eyes wide open and shining.

I cannot say WYSE gave me answers to all my questions. On the contrary, I think WYSE rewarded my mind with even more questions. And I believe that is even more precious. No, life did not get easier or simpler. And I do not want it to be easier.

Constantly being in touch with sources of inspiration is my secret of happiness. Sources can be different for different people: one might believe inspiration is a great book, or heavy-metal music. For me, inspiration is an ability to communicate with interesting people (especially with you, WYSErs!) and at the same time finding time to be idle is not less important.

We grow, we listen, we face problems and we overcome them. That's life, and we are blessed.

If any of you ever come to Georgia, come visit me. I will greet you: "Hi, I am WYSE-er, and I am trying to make this world a better place!"

James Mills

Nationality: British
Living in: London
Programmes: ILP 2008 - Italy

I applied to be part of WYSE at a key transition point in my life. I was about to move to London from my home town in order to make progress in my career. Almost a year of unsuccessful jobhunting had affected my confidence. Therefore my intention for WYSE was to gain clarity and focus for the future.

WYSE helped me to explore what had been holding me back over the previous few months. Additionally I appreciated the warmth and friendliness of my fellow participants.

The programme helped me to put things into perspective; eventually facilitating my decision to work in the charity sector for organisations bridging the gap between education and the world of work. I continue to work in this field almost seven years later and have strong ambitions for making a massive difference to the education system; including the creation of a pioneering project to help youth at risk.

Stephan Allmendinger

Nationality: German
Living in: Munich
Programmes: ILP - 2010
ALP - 2010
Helper 2011, coming up 2012

My Name is Stephan Allmendinger. I am a doctor, working with seriously ill patients in a palliative care unit at the University Hospital in Munich, Germany.

3 Years ago I founded - together with good friends - a small non-profit organisation called "Medizin und Menschlichkeit" (engl.: medicine and humanness). Our vision was to create a competent space where medical students and young doctors can discuss, explore and set into practice topics like self-development, communication skills, empathy and spirituality. We believe there is a need to cultivate heart-centred skills, to include alongside the everyday medical reality. Hand in hand with the scientific knowledge and the technical expertise of western medicine, these 'human qualities' add a very important quality when working with people seeking help.

Our little group has grown to a small movement in the German-speaking countries: We organize workshops, seminars and once a year a six-day summer school for 40 participants from all over Germany and Austria. In this little time we have become a home for many like-minded people and we inspired others to form local groups in their towns.

What this has to do with WYSE? Almost everything I would say... It was in July 2010 when I attended my fist leadership training at the ILP in Italy. I learned so much there on different levels and used these insights with my group at home: I learned to trust myself and to access my inner potential. I also learned that there a many brilliant people in this world, each and everybody with the wish to make this world a better place. And I learned that it is possible to deal with seemingly overwhelming difficulties – using the power of shared purpose, clear vision and the skills to work together as a team. WYSE is much more to me than a course that one visits – it is a family of intent, a brilliant light of wisdom and courage in this world. I am very happy to be still in contact with the people from WYSE and I am looking forward to this summer's ILP where I will be in a helping role.

Jason Whitmore

Nationality: British
Living in: Los Angeles, USA
Programmes: Italy, 2011

No matter how different people seem there is always common ground. A place to relate to each other and realise that despite the 'differences' many of the problems we all face are identical. After going through WYSE young leaders programme I saw the failures of our mainstream global community more clearly - the inequity that penetrates the core of our social systems became ever more apparent.

After finishing the programme I was fortunate to meet a group of like minded individuals. We were in our late twenties, all from different backgrounds and had all been through similar life experiences. We decided to pool our resources and skill sets and make a documentary that simplified the complexity of the global economic structures we live under.

Three years ago we started the production process. It has been filled with learning, collaboration, exploration, hard work and late nights. Through the collective endeavours of a group of people and with the help of some of the world's leading thinkers we have created a truly independent feature documentary.

The Four Horsemen

Anyone who feels they are alone in their global views, you are not. We must have a voice and come together for the future that we all would like to see. Help support this film on the website and on Facebook and demand it in your city. The more traction we can show online helps ensure the film will go out to a broader audience and make a positive impact.

Living in the age of consequence, unfettered growth and profit seeking have pushed humanity to the brink of destruction. Understanding we will never return to 'business as usual' 23 thinkers, government advisors and Wall Street money-men break their silence and explain how the world really works.

Demand the movie now: eventful.com/fourhorsemen; www.renegadeeconomist.com.

Andrea Cardillo

Nationality: Italian
Living in: Florence / Naples
Programmes: ILP 2004, ILP 2005, Helper 2009, Staff 2010 ongoing

Leadership can be a challenging concept to define and a challenging attitude to develop. Things get even more challenging when you have to measure the impact that growing as a leader can have on your life and the people around you. Even after so many years have passed since my first programme, I can still see the 'long wave' generated on my personal and professional life by that experience.

When life gets more tough or I have a hard time, I feel the need to reconnect with my experience in Lucca, with the community of my worldwide WYSE friends and with that sense of positive and concrete trust in the future.

Another way to get back in touch with that inspiration again, is to go back to the stories of some of the participants that have, like me, been to the programmes over the last years. I am pleased to share with you some of the quotes from the Follow Up forms of the St Briavels – Taking Vision to Action participants. My wish for you is that they will act as energizers, supporting us all to think about the impact of consciously using will to make a positive contribution!