On 19 March, I watched Yemenis setting out their positions forcefully and entertainingly. They brought their presentations vividly to life and clearly believed in a better future. They seemed a bit nervous but were clearly enjoying themselves. The dominant theme was how ideas could transform lives. Innovation and creative thinking were better weapons for achieving change than an AK47.
At the same time, across Sana’a in a smart hotel, the 565 delegates of Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference gathered for their first session. Some of the more well-known immediately announced their withdrawal and some complained that the Dialogue Conference was discredited before it started. Nonetheless, the atmosphere by the end of the first session was broadly positive.
The event I attended was not the National Dialogue or related to it in any way. It was the Yemeni finals of the English Speaking Union’s competition for public speaking. I was privileged to have the opportunity to hear presentations from 10 bright students from both the south and north of the country.
After each presentation they had to think on their feet and take questions. And all of this in English. The talent on display was impressive and, though the judges had to choose one winner to attend the global finals in London later this year, the competition was fierce and close.
It was no accident that many of the competitors, including the winner, were young women. You don’t have to be a seer to recognise that the future of Yemen depends on the future of its youth, particularly women. They remain largely disenfranchised. But if they achieve a stronger voice and are allowed to help shape the politics and economy of the country, Yemen’s future will be brighter.
Reflecting on the two parallel events – one the focus of the nation, the other relatively low profile – it occurred to me that perhaps the distinguished National Dialogue Conference delegates could learn something from their student compatriots.
As they engage in months of negotiation that should determine the future constitutional structure and prospects of Yemen, they might do well to use the famous Yemeni Wisdom and take a lead from the English Speaking Union’s student orators.
What might they learn? Perhaps three elements that are necessary for any successful dialogue.
Firstly, that respecting the opinions of others and being prepared to listen is essential for any dialogue. If the delegates fail to try and understand other points of view, it will be a dialogue of the deaf and worthless.
Secondly, that expressing an idea or opinion requires courage. But it needs even more courage to show flexibility and compromise in order to reach a solution. The National Dialogue Delegates, particularly those from the south, have already shown great courage in engaging in the process. They will need to be ready to be even more courageous to create consensus solutions to long-standing problems. Without that courage, there will be no national reconciliation and Yemen will not move forward.
Thirdly, that it pays to believe in a better future and to make the most of opportunities to achieve that. Most Yemenis want to see a more prosperous, secure and stable future. Those 565 delegates have a huge responsibility to grasp this once in a generation opportunity. If they believe it is possible to succeed – and it is, as people in South Africa and Chile, for example, have shown – the delegates can build a better Yemen through the National Dialogue.
They owe it to the children of Yemen, the students of the English Speaking Union and the millions of Yemenis not participating in the National Dialogue Conference. All Yemenis are relying on the delegates to listen, compromise, build consensus and agree a way forward.
It has been said that “the pen is mightier than the sword”. In Yemen today, dialogue can be mightier than the AK47. The Yemeni people, I and other supporters in the international community expect the delegates to rise to this historic challenge. This is the time to show what Yemenis are capable of – the world is watching…