Case Summary- David Ruiz

Case Summary Blog Entry – Summer Martinez and Lauren Jones

Belizean Perspective on Leadership - David Ruiz

From a Belizean himself, David Ruiz addresses leadership as a need to first start with ones own abilities being recognized be someone else.  There is a leader in all of us and recognition encourages best leadership qualities within.  This is how Ruiz himself was discovered as a community leader and continued to grow stronger. David Ruiz has been involved in grassroots community building for twenty years. His experience has led him to develop greater leadership skills throughout the years. He spent twenty years with one group, which he considers to be advantageous because it lends to the stability of leadership within an organization. Ruiz described leadership as four recommendations when rafting which describes leadership from beginning to end. He spearheaded the Historical and Cultural Association of the town, which has evolved over time through a ‘cycle of change’.  

David Ruiz’s view on leadership reflects four common recommendations when rafting.

1.     Rest in the calm spots

2.     Heading for a rock- lean to the rock rather than away from it

3.     Never stop paddling

4.     If you fall in the water, let go of everything and hold on to your life jacket

Possibly a tad bit confused, one might ask how does rafting have anything to do with leadership? It is found that these recommendations can be connected to important leadership qualities from the Belizean perspective.

When resting in the clam spots it is important to remember there are more rapids ahead. As a leader, it is important to think ahead to the hard times, while still remembering to enjoy the journey. In this time there is opportunity to discover one’s passions, which ultimately drives the raft forward. This is also considered the safe zone that can be returned to, in order to reflect and build further relationships. This will help to prepare oneself for the rapids and rocks ahead.

Heading into a rock may bring upon fear, but leaning into it rather than away, forces leadership traits to be shown.  An important idea Ruiz shared was that it takes another person to recognize one’s leadership traits and abilities in order to act. When taking on a challenge rather than shying away from it, not only does it allow others to notice, but it also builds stronger leadership qualities. These are shown when leaders face problems head on and enable others to act. By strategizing a path of little resistance, leaders are able to look ahead and be ready for change. Ruiz considers the “Reality if Change” a cycle that includes, genesis, growth, stabilization, and breakdown.

Never stop paddling is a sign for not giving up and not allowing a difficult journey to impede progress. Additionally, this addresses the notion of concerted effort, where everyone is working and being engaged. This incorporates the distribution of power and allowing for the contribution of others. Finally, this is also involves the consultation of other’s ideas as well as sacrifice by the leader. Ruiz stated, “a leader has to be ready to work in the trenches,” which gives way to willingness for personal sacrifice. 

By falling in the water and only holding onto one’s life jacket, leaders have to remember that even through failure they have to pick themselves back up. It is important to be aware of their personal mission and have the ability to continue to reflect. This goes back to the beginning idea of resting in the calm spots.  After falling it is important to not become discouraged but to reflect about the actions to better the situation the next time around. 

Case Study – Dennis Jones

Introduction:

Belize is a relatively young country only gaining self-governance in 1964 and then its independence in 1981. The Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology (BEST) was founded shortly thereafter with the goal of promoting enterprises using appropriate technology.  Due to a withdrawal of American funding they were forced to refocus their efforts to micro-financing. They further specialized into two subsets: the Project and Credit staff.  These are indicative of the continual efforts to maintain relevance in Belize’s economy.  Dennis Jones, the Managing Director of BEST, gave us further insight into this organization.

Summary:

Currently BEST specializes in micro-loans with a range of $500-$2,500 given to small enterprises such as barbershops, farmers, and welding shops. They seek to identify families (especially single parents) within a rural environment who have children and who have a legitimate business idea.  The ultimate goal is to maintain these businesses in the long-term and these criteria have been established as the best route to that end. They also develop pay plans and savings plans in order to enhance the effectiveness of their loans. This approach to sustainability correlates with other sentiments across the board in that poverty is key issue in reaching sustainability. However, this journey is not without challenges; for example, Belize in largely undeveloped, has a high level of poverty, depends greatly in foreign investment, lacks a clear national vision, and is troubled by partisan politics.  Even further, BEST also faces its obstacles.  One of the more structural issues is BEST’s small size and high program implementation costs. Other challenges include poor human and financial resources mobilization, competition from other NGOs, and maintaining its relevance in the growing Belizean economy.

Analysis:

The group asked questions pertaining to the specifics of BEST’s operations.  One question addressed the problem of cooperation between the different NGOs, to which Mr. Jones emphasized that Belize’s issues aren’t about resource quantities but rather their allocation. His ultimate vision is for Belize to be a crucible in which better technology and approaches become a model for other nations. The group came to a consensus that Mr. Jones effectively strives to combat the problem and overall, enjoyed his lecture. Particularly poignant was his statement, “You would be amazed what a $1,000 loan and encouragement can do for a person.”

Culture and History of Belize

Introduction
The minute you step off the plane to Belize and you are surrounded by a warm beautiful tropical environment. As you walk from the  runway to the main airport you are directed by several Belizeans, all with very distinct ethnic features. Some you can tell have deep Mayan roots, and others are clearly of an African decent. Yet as they direct you to the baggage claim you can hear them speaking the same Creole language to each other regardless of perceived ethnicity. Once you reach baggage claim, you are serenaded by Garifuna music, and it seems like you have reached paradise at last. You may not stop to think about how all of these people of different backgrounds have come to call this place home, but to understand the culture of Belize it is also imperative to understand what influences shaped the country.

Melanie Smith is a sociologist who teaches at the University Belize. She has a very deep understanding of how this multi-ethnic society grew and came to our small University of Denver interterm course to speak to us on the importance of understanding how the social structure of Belize can impact how Belize goes about approaching sustainability.

Belize's History
Pre-colonial Belize
Pre-Colonial Belize was a part of Mesoamerica. Architectural evidence proves that the Maya lived on these lands long before settlers arrived in the 16th and 17th  centuries. The Maya resisted the Europeans who attempted to colonize them. However, they began contracting European diseases and the resulting population decline weakened its ability to resist conquest. By the 17th century, Spanish missionaries established churches to try to control the Maya.

Melanie Smith explains that this Mayan culture of resistance is still alive today as people continue to identify with their Mayan roots. Though Belize struggles with issues such as violence and social inequality, Smith believes that Belizeans can draw from the strength of their ancestors' roots and know that they have the power to resist the violence and corruptness in Belize and fight for themselves.

Colonization
1638 marks the beginning of British Honduras. This was the time of the rise of the Baymen who utilized the coasts of Belize and pulled resources like log wood. This is the time period where Belize became the only English speaking country in Central America. The Treaty of 1763 gave boundaries between Spanish territory and British territory, thus making Belize no longer Spanish property, and explicitly asked for protection of the Baymen occupying British Honduras. In the 18th century, the British and French fought for supremacy over the new world. Britain controlled the Caribbean by the 19th century and Belize was thus integrated as a Caribbean country and not a Central American one.

Since colonization, Belize has always faced deforestation and because of that it is difficult for Belizeans to change that mentality. When British Honduras first came into existence Belize provided log wood consistently for years. In 1770 it became less needed and was no longer profitable, and it was expected that the lumber industry in Belize would end. Not long after, however, mahogany was discovered and destruction of forests have continued until modern day.

Arrival of various ethnic groups
As lumber collection was very exhausting and the need could not be sufficed by just Baymen, slavery was introduced to British Honduras in the early 1700s. Slaves were already being imported to the Caribbean at the time so it was very easy to convert them into the new Belizean labor force. By the 1790 consensus, three-fourths of the population were slaves of African decent, one-tenth of the population was white property owners, and the rest were free blacks and people of mixed races. Another small group were white workers from Europe. European convicts were sent to the Caribbean and forced to work, while poor Europeans came over as "indentured servants". In order to keep ethnic groups from joining together and revolting, the British tried to give each of these groups their own distinct identity so that they would not feel solidarity with one another. Some of that is still in play today, which is partially why it may be difficult for ethnic groups to see eye to eye this day and age. British slave owners would stress that slavery was best under British control and that slaves were lucky to have been enslaved by the British. This mentality is still in history books today and still effects the self image that the various ethnic groups have of themselves.

During the 17th century, Africans who had escaped slavery intermarried with Caribs and other natives who lived in the Eastern Caribbean islands. These unions and their resulting children were exiled throughout the Caribbean until they were finally accepted in Belize. This mixture is called Garifuna. The Garifunas traditionally had a very coastal lifestyle and practiced rituals unknown to the greater Belizean population. They have faced much discrimination over the years, but have lately, due to affirmative action measures, become more integrated into jobs within the private and public sectors. Their music, Punta Rock, has become popularized Belizean music, and they still practice their sacred rituals and celebrate the date of their original settlement in Belize.

Between 1844-1917 Indians were indentured to work in the British Colony experimental rice farms in the Caribbean. Eventually they also became sugar plantation workers. To this day, there are still pockets of these Indian immigrants within Belize. The 1950's brought form the Mennonites, people from the Swiss Alps moving away from religious persecution. At that time, the government of Belize was giving away land to people who had agricultural background, and so the Mennonites (similar to the Amish) traveled to Belize. There are still traditional Mennonites (they choose not to use electricity) in Belize today, but there are also modernized ones (such as a current Mennonite government representative). There is still discrimination due to both their lifestyle and how they self segregate, but they are also the main producers of chicken in Belize.

Road to independence
An important thing to note is that though on the surface Belize appears to be a melting pot, Belizeans are really living in a society of multiple ethnicities that separate themselves, even all of these years later. And a lot of this is a direct effect of British control techniques. That said,  Belizeans did learn to unite as they began rejecting the idea of being a British colony. Labor movements began in 1919 demanding for justice within the workforce, and eventually led to Nationalist Movements from the 1930's-40's that push for autonomy. By 1950 Belize had created its own political party and in 1964 they had their own self government. They changed their name from British Honduras to Belize in 1974 and finally became independent in 1981. This proves that Belizeans can work together despite the different ethnic backgrounds. Belizeans have a history of fighting for their rights and in this day and age it is incredibly important for them to remember that history and stand up for a sustainable future.

Conclusion
Since it has become it's own country, Belize has seen waves of Asian immigration, specifically between 1988-1992, where Belize invited people to purchase citizenship to Belize. Many of these immigrants- coming from Taiwan, China, Korea, and India - invested in Belize and now many merchants are Asians. Though these immigrants still see themselves as Asian, they also consider themselves Belizean. This forming of a collective nationality is part of what needs to happen if Belize wants to demand something as a whole from their government. There is such a strong divide between political ideologies, cultures, religion, and other factors that Belizeans need to start finding something in common - a nationality in common - in order to move forward.

Case Summary: Filiberto Penados

“We must question our own perspectives constantly.” –Filiberto Penados

           

            This is how Dr. Penados approached sustainability and, in a nutshell, this quote is the essence of his lecture. He discussed sustainable development in a way no other speaker had. He spoke less of the definition, “balancing social, economic, and environmental objectives,” and more of how development is a metaphor. Through his own example of the different assumptions we make depending on whether we call a school a “garden” or a “factory” he illustrated the impact of this statement. Radically different concepts and images are generated when looking at the institution of school with one of these two words in mind. Progress is dependent upon the perspectives and assumptions people cultivate. These thoughts and opinions are molded by what and how things are presented to us. In order to prevent the restriction of ideas and creation of false assumptions it is pertinent to continually examine these different metaphors critically as well as reflect upon our own modes of thought. Dr. Penados raised several points as to the assumptions many, if not all, of us had partially unknowingly held. For example, people certainly have assumptions regarding the course that development does or should take. We think of development in terms of the underdevelopment that we have been exposed to and as having a very linear and fixed direction. The majorities view is that there is a particular path upon which societies should be moving and if they are diverting from this path then things are not as they should be.

            This is a segue into Dr. Penados’s discussion of the indigenous people of Belize.  The lifestyle of many indigenous people, such as the Mayans, certainly does not align with the norms of industrialized nations nor many communities within Belize. Thinking of development in the new way that Dr. Penados presented and understanding the indigenous people is much the same. How Belizeans identify themselves is more than just the definition of that background, but it is concerned with their own self-identification and whether or not that group recognizes them as a member. There are many other factors that affect both of these issues, but it is clear that perception is pivotal. Dr. Penados’s last illustration involved the relative and personal recognition of poverty. The numbers told all with this example. In America someone is considered below the poverty level if they make $17,000 or less annually, whereas in Belize people are considered to be below the poverty level if they make $1500 (American dollars) or less annually. The expectations and definition of poverty varies from country to country, community to community, person to person. As discussed between Dr. Penados and students there are people whom do not recognize their lack of affluence and those that comparatively are affluent and identify as living in poverty. Poverty, therefore, is a combination of both fact and perception. Thus assumptions have a powerful influence on the perceived and actual reality within which we live. Dr. Penados also said, “You can never capture reality.” This returns the discussion to the demand for analysis of and reflection on ones own perception and those of others. Sustainable development is dependent upon acknowledging the impact of personal viewpoints and attempting to regulate these in a way that cultivates positive connotations towards it thus enabling progress.

Course Overview

LDRS 2400: Leadership and Sustainability in Belize is a University of Denver course that was developed in 2008 by Paul Kosempel, PhD and Linda Olson, PhD from the Pioneer Leadership Program. The class was created with support from the Daniels Fund and runs each year during the university's winter interterm period. This blog was initially created by Dr. Kosempel to share the experiences of the first year of this course, and those entries are below on this overview page. This year, we are expanding the blog to allow students to share their reactions to the experience as well as summaries of relevant class activities, and these reactions and summaries can be found on the tabs above. 

The overview of the course is as follows: 

Every day, decisions are made by leaders in business, government, and non-profit settings that impact sustainability in its many forms. This course explores the multiple meanings and interpretations of sustainability. The course location of Belize provides a perfect learning laboratory to examine how one country is attempting to balance the often-competing demands of economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability. Course activities include staying at a low-environmental impact conference center in the rainforest, visiting a model environmentally sustainable island community, guest lectures from various country experts, and exploring a Maya site. Through these activities students examine the role that leadership plays in contributing to small and large scale sustainability efforts. 

Final Blog Post - Goodbye Belize...until next year

Blog writing has definitely been new to me, and I hope it’s been somewhat entertaining to follow. I’ve found it difficult to encapsulate the experiences we’ve had into words. I’m confronted with this same difficulty as I seek to wrap up this trip in one last blog post.

I’ll start by picking up where I had left off. We had just left the island of Long Caye at Lighthouse Reef Atoll headed for Belize City. In Belize City, we had a relatively condensed agenda with time to check in to our lodging at The Great House, have a quick lunch, and then travel to the Belize Chamber of Commerce to hear two speakers. The agenda became even tighter when we returned to find that one of our vans had a flat tire. Apparently, the incredibly bumpy roads had taken their toll. We managed to shuttle students to the Chamber of Commerce and stick to our original schedule with minor adjustments.

We were able to hear from the Executive Director of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Celene Cleland-Gomez about the extent to which sustainability is integrated into regular business practices in Belize. Following Mrs. Gomez, we learned about the great work of The Nature Conservancy in Belize from Mrs. Julie Stockbridge who discussed the challenges of preserving Belize’s marine environment. From there, we shuttled back and forth to The Great House, and the formal part of our course was over. After two of our students, Chris and Dave, put the spare on the second van, we made our way out for one last dinner together in Belize. The next day, we enjoyed breakfast, some shopping to support the Belizean economy and got everyone to the airport and made our way back home.

As I write this, I’ve been home for four days and am still adjusting. There are little adjustments like trying to remember that I don’t drive a stick shift at home to the large adjustments like the 60 degree drop in average temperature. Instead of being somewhat responsible for 15 students on the trip, I’m now responsible for the daily needs of my two precious children. I am no longer in an environment that compels me to be judicious in my use of natural resources. In our retreat center in the rainforest, it was impossible to take a shower that was longer than 60-90 seconds. All of us on the trip were so aware of the design of this center to minimally impact the environment that none of us dared stay in any longer than absolutely necessary. In the comfort of my bathroom at home, I find myself fighting the urge for the long, hot shower.

One of the largest adjustments for me has been leaving our group that made this class incredibly special. Going into the course, I knew most of the students taking part in the course. Yet, I had no idea how amazing a group had signed up as, dare I say, “pioneers” on this first course. You learn a lot about people when you spend 15 hours out of every day with them in a cramped van, hiking through the rainforest, sweating as you try to maintain focus listening to a cultural expert in a hot building or on a two hour boat ride that no one thinks will fit all of us upon first sight. I learned that we had an incredible group of really dedicated and adaptable students, and if our world’s future is partially in your hands, then we’re going to be all right. I’m still adjusting to not being around all of you and I look forward to seeing you again next quarter.

Here’s the end of this post, so it’s likely the part where you’re expecting penetrating insight. I hope I can deliver. Through our eleven days in Belize we witnessed countless examples of individuals and leaders in Belize who are daily impacting sustainability. I think we will all remember Gliss who took a change in his job duties as an officer for a non-profit organization in stride. This change involved him wearing a camouflage uniform along with carrying a gun in order to protect the Chiquibul National Forest from illegal looting, farming, and hunting. Our stays in the rainforest at Jaguar Creek and on Long Caye at Calypso Beach Retreat will also be memorable in the efforts made there to be environmentally responsible including solar power, composting toilets, and preserving mangrove among many others. Learning about the efforts of an oil exploration company to go about their endeavors differently is another of these examples. Throughout the short history of this independent democracy, there are leaders who are choosing to look at the long-term impact of their choices. In a number of ways, Belize is a developing country and they have much progress to make. In significantly more ways, we have much to learn from them about the nature of “progress”. 

Last Day on the Island

We really had a marvelous stay on Long Caye at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, and today, we head back to the mainland for a few more presentations and then back to Denver tomorrow. 


The highlights from our trip to the island included a SCUBA/snorkeling trip where we saw sharks, turtles, colorful fish, and a manta ray, watching the infinite number of stars each night as the wind blew hard (sometimes with rain), a bonfire on the beach, in addition to a great discussion of the course material with a group of incredibly dedicated students who managed to not let the view of the Caribbean distract them. The island has well documented eco-guidelines for anyone who develops property on the island. Property owners must use renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, have compostable toilets only, and must seek permission before removing any tree or bush. One interesting guideline was putting kayaks, canoes, etc. away from the shore as well to not interfere with turtles laying their eggs in the sand. There are a few others, and it's clear that all of the guidelines are not followed all the time, but it's definitely a worthwhile start.


We've had such fantastic hosts throughout our trip to Belize. On the island, we've had our host and chef Jennifer, our dive guide and Belizean expert who serenaded us at the bonfire, Mr. Reed, our captain and dive master Mr. Ish, and F (which stands for all things that F stands for), who was the first mate who helped with just about everything including making us laugh and starting the bonfire. We were fairly packed into our accommodations at Calypso Beach Retreat (www.calypsobeachretreat.com), which we knew going into it. We had a few visitors that were unexpected in the Noseeum's, bugs that gave some gifts to a number of the students as going away presents. All in all, it's hard to complain when you are 30 yards from some of the most beautiful water in the world, and a sting ray, octopus and glowing fish were spotted from our pier. 


We leave in about two hours and will arrive in Belize City to wrap up what has been an amazing adventure, one in which we hope continues in different forms for years to come.