Former world leaders met to discuss their prestigious careers in a public forum at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government last night.
The panel of world leaders included former prime ministers of Finland, Australia and Jordan and former presidents of Costa Rica and Ecuador.
Oscar Arias Sanchez, President of Costa Rica from 1986-90 and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, was asked of his role in leading the Central American nations neighboring Costa Rica toward peace.
According to Sanchez, Costa Rica’s position when he took office was one in which “being neutral was not enough.” He went to other countries to preach peace so they would not go to Costa Rica and preach war, he said.
He said he stressed the need for patience, perseverance and humility in these situations and said, “You need to understand that the opposite party wants something different than you. You need to compromise … and extend your arms at the end.”
The Prime Minister of Australia from 1975-83, Malcolm Fraser has been noted for his work in freeing Nelson Mandela and steering South Africa toward peace.
According to Fraser, an Australian delegation that traveled to South Africa decided the South African government needed to free Mandela and the African community needed to suspend its violence. This was key in “gaining the trust of both parties” in order to start the negotiations, he said.
When asked who Fraser admired most, he answered Mandela.
“Nobody has spent 27 years in jail and emerged with the respect of his jailers,” he said, “and then led without bitterness.”
Esko Aho was elected following the end of the Cold War as the youngest Prime Minister of Finland at the age of 36.
“We needed to start thinking what was going to be the position of Finland in Europe,” he said.
In order to have a significant role in the future of Europe, Aho decided to join the European Union. He attributed some of this development to his youth, considering he wasn’t afraid to try to something new.
The panel was asked what they think makes a good leader versus just being a politician. According to Sanchez, leaders tell people what they need to know, while politicians try to please people.
“The essence of a leader, is to do what needs to be done,” he said. “If it isn’t popular, make it popular.”
Abdel Salam Majali, Prime Minister of Jordan from 1993-95 and from 1997-98, said, “You have to understand that you are part of the team … and you need to take care of everyone on the team.” Majali ended the hostilities between Israel and Jordan while in office.
Jamil Mahuad, President of Ecuador from 1998-2000, said, “You have two responsibilities: one to yourself … the other is to the community.” He warned that the most dangerous mistake that can be made by a leader is the feeling of “omnipotence.”
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