To date, many of us have been having private conversations one-on-one about the littering problem in this beautiful Kingdom and about possible solutions. Now, I am excited to be hosting this Solutions to Littering Unconference to bring those ideas together and to synergize our efforts. However, I have heard a few of us wondering what an unconference is. Well, the thing about an unconference is that everyone who wants to be heard, gets to be heard. We will convene with no agenda - just the question of how can we keep Saudi beautiful. There will be a discussion to throw out ideas, and those ideas will then become our agenda. There will be breakout rooms for each agenda item, and we will choose which items we would like to explore, add to, and/or inquire more about. We can visit as many rooms as time will permit. We will then convene once again to share highlights of our interactions. The great thing about this format is that it “creates space for peer-to-peer learning, collaboration and creativity” (Young, n.d., para. 1). The more ideas we share, the bigger the impact we will be able to make.
In an unconference, there are no bad ideas. Covey (2020) talked about the synergistic communication, stating, “When you communicate synergistically, you are simply opening your mind and heart and expressions to new possibilities, new alternatives, new options” (p. 309). I may think my idea is the best idea until I hear your idea. Our ideas may blend, grow, or transform through this process. In fact, none of us know what will come out of this, but we have to believe in “the whole being greater than the sum of its parts” (Covey, 2020, p. 311).
We will all go into this knowing that we all want to have a clean society for ourselves, our children, and even our guests. It will take the right campaign that speaks to the people. Get ready, I am going to relate this to Texas again. Just four years after the “Don’t Mess With Texas” anti-litter campaign was launched on January first of 1986, roadside trash was reduced by 72% (Nodjimbadem, 2017). On top of that, this commercial just brought tears to my eyes as a Texan so many years after the fact. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could start a movement that produced this type of results and feelings in Saudi Arabia with our synergy?
I do not know how many people will join me for this evening’s Solutions to Litter Unconference
(Zoom Link), but I do know that if you are there, your voice will be heard. Join in Zoom Meeting
ID: 878 114 0050 at 6:00 pm Saudi time, and bring your synergy!
References
Covey, S. R. (2020). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th Anniversary
Edition [Kindle]. East Roseville: Simon & amp; Schuster Australia.
Nodjimbadem, K. (2017, Mar. 10). The Trashy Beginnings of “Don’t Mess With
Texas”: A True Story of the Defining Phrase of the Lone Star State. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/trashy-Beginnings-
Young, K. (n.d.). unConferencing: How to Prepare to Attend an Unconference. Unconference.net. http://unconference.net/unconferencing
-how-to-prepare-to-attend-an-unconference/
Media Sources
DontMessWithTexasTV. (2015, April 6). Stevie Ray Vaughn.
[The flyer for Solutions to Litter Unconference] was created by the author of this blog post using
Postermywall.com.
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