Edwin van Rest

International education can bring World Peace

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Hnadels delegatie Koninkrijk der Nederlanden Hotel National in Miami Beach, April 18, 2016.

Imagine you are a young boy, born in Harlem and growing up in the Bronx. Your parents have just emigrated from Jamaica. You are an African American living in the nineteen-forties. Would you ever dare to dream you would become the leader of the most powerful military on Earth, and then later one of the world’s most powerful diplomat? It always seems impossible, until it’s done – and Colin Powell did it. He became the first-ever African American United States Secretary of State, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

After an exciting NAGAP conference in Nashville, I visited Miami this week for the eMerge Americas Technology Conference as part of a trade mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Retired General Colin Powell was also present at the conference. He has a foundation and a special interest in education. I was surprised and much honored to be invited to lunch with him based on StudyPortals’ track record in the field.

It was very inspiring to meet the general and hear his story. He shared many fundamental ideas on leadership, where respect for everyone, regardless of their position, background or motives, is the one that will remain with me most.

Mr. Powell is known as a rare advocate for military intervention in times of conflict – which gave him the nickname ‘the reluctant warrior.’ After his active career, he has been fully focusing on promoting peaceful ways to improve our world.

During our talk, he emphasized the importance of education for the future of our people and of our world, both in a domestic as an international context. Education is most probably the best and most impactful tool we have to build better lives, safer society but also world peace.

The US government is already realizing this with the foundation of the Institute for International Education right in the aftermath of WW I and with great initiatives such as 100,000 Strong.

In the StudyPortals canteen, we feature a quote from Nelson Mandela: Education is the Most Powerful Weapon to Change our World. Secretly, these few words are the main reason why so many great people work so hard in our teams and why we have been able to connect so many partners to our initiative. It is fantastic to receive the confirmation and recognition of our ‘mission.’ It only leaves me more motivated than ever to give it all I have.

Thanks to General Powell and the Delegation of the trade mission for this wonderful boost. I am truly very grateful to be able to work on such a large opportunity in such a purposeful field.

Edwin van Rest dinner with Colin Powell and Deputy Vice Minister of International Relations and Trade Netherlands

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