The new important people

The Olympics relate an interesting story of how new values have created new important people. Foreign investors seek two things. Long term sustainable earnings and a good country profile. The prospect of strong earnings is no longer adequate to attract foreign investment. Host countries must also project a good image. The key question is “What is good?”

The recent Olympics helps to relate the story, of what is now considered an essential component of a good country profile.

Olympics is the greatest event

In 2012 perhaps the greatest event was the Olympics. Every nation wanted to see their flag carried at the opening ceremony. It was a symbol of standing shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world. Consequently over 100 heads of state arrived for the grand opening ceremony to see their flags fluttering in the wind.

The highlights of this ceremony was lighting the flame which symbolised continuity and more importantly the unfurling of the Olympic flag to open the games.

The large open flag was carried by nine people holding it by its edge, in a slow walk with great decorum, to the accompaniment of rousing music. In a ceremony that had gravitas written all over it, the flag was launched on its flagpole.

The question on many minds before the ceremony was, “Who is going to be invited to carry the flag?” Members of the British Royal family? David Cameron, the British Prime Minister for sure. The wife’s of other Heads of state may have said to their husbands “Darling you better get a haircut to look smart as I am sure you will be invited to carry the flag.”

None of those I alluded to, or similar people, were invited to carry the flag.

They are in the modern world the old order. So there were no kings or Presidents no Prime Ministers no emperors of big business, none from the wealthiest 10 in the world.

The new important people are different. They are those that are concerned about the welfare of people and the planet.  Those that fight to protect human rights and those that try to create a world where cherished freedoms flourish. Nine people to represent these attributes were selected.

A brief summary of their background is set out below for each one of them.

So who was carrying that Olympic flag?

The organisers said they wanted people from the areas of peace, democracy and social justice from both the UK and around the world. Therefore the selected flag bearers were,

1. Marina Silva — Brazilian politician and environmentalist who has campaigned to save the Amazon rain forest.

2. Muhammad Ali — Former heavy weight boxing champion, who has campaigned for the rights of blacks in the US.

3. Shami Chakrabarti — Director of Liberty the British human rights group.

4. Banki Ki-Noon — United Nations secretary general

5. Daniel Barenboim — Western-Eastern Divan Orchestra Co-founded, bringing together Arab and Israeli musicians.

6. Doreen Lawrence — Mother of murdered black teenager Stephen and founder of a trust to secure the rights of black people.

7. Sally Becker — Known as the ‘Angel of Mostar’ for rescuing children from war-torn Bosnia.

8. Leymah Gbowee — Nobel prize winner who led a women’s movement that brought an end to civil war in Liberia.

9. Haile Gebrselassie — Ethiopian long distance runner and ambassador for the London 2012 Inspiration program.

The moral in the story



Driven primarily by the younger generation the world over, the core values that matter have become the protection of human rights in its broadest perspective.

The corollary is strong opposition to bribery, corruption, violence, and so on of which will lead to an abuse of human rights. This sends an important message. If a country, a global business or a local business, seeks to be viewed favourably by the world community it must be able to tick all the boxes pertaining to human rights.

A board of a global corporation, even if composed of the elite of the old order (with no commitment to these values), will be keenly aware of the economic price to pay if they operate in countries viewed by the new important people as no go areas.

The fear of boycotts that due to social media can erupt with great ferocity will stir even old bones to steer clear of countries that may adversely affect their reputation.