International Theme

TRAVEL BROADENS THE MIND

There is a well-worn adage that travel broadens the mind.  On Thursday 14 March Hugh Grant (no, not the Hugh Grant) gave a talk to the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club about his experiences in a career that involved travel to almost all the continents.  These experiences had opened his eyes, and had given him insights which he was happy to share.

Hugh graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in mathematics.  He immediately gained employment at ICI’s computer centre in Manchester.  But, before taking up his post, ICI agreed to him spending two years working with VSO in Pakistan.  Here, in the early sixties he came in contact with life in a predominantly Muslim country.  While there, he recognised the need for those coming from outside the country to acknowledge differences, and to be willing to accept and to adapt to local circumstances .

Following this initial encounter with the wider world, Hugh returned to his post in ICI Manchester, but it wasn’t long before he was missing the challenge of working overseas.  So when the opportunity of a posting to Nigeria came up, he jumped at the chance.  He arrived just a year after the Biafran war when tribal rivalries were still very much in evidence. Here, he came to understand how we don’t always hear all sides of the story when reported by outsiders.  Frequently, he said, what is presented is only a superficial view, failing to recognise the complexity of the local environment.

Following a return to Scotland in the late 70s, he was recruited by the World Bank in Washington, a body dedicated to giving support to development and reconstruction in areas of deprivation.  From this, he learned how best to bring expert support into developing countries - very useful experience for Hugh’s later work in the Balkans.

Then followed a period of work when he was based in Dunblane, but during which he worked for the World Bank in Barbados and in a number of countries formerly part of the USSR.  He was then employed in the Balkans, shortly after the worst episodes of the civil war and the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.  As in Pakistan and Nigeria, he experienced the tensions created by religious and racial differences.  But he also found there people with traditional values that had helped them to survive the worst affects of the civil war. 

Summing up, Hugh identified a number of lessons he had learned from his varied experiences:

“a)  religious divides have a lot to answer for;

b)  the actions of the British in colonial and post-colonial countries have not always been perfect.  We need to understand better that people have to own their own solutions;

c)  the reporting of events by the media doesn’t always help; and

d)  there is a need to respect others: we need to listen more than speak. In the end, ‘we’re a’ Jock Tamson’s bairns’.”

In conclusion, Hugh encouraged support for a local organization, Stirling Citizens for Sanctuary, which is working with the Council to help refugees from Syria.

Speaker’s Host Graham Houston thanked Hugh for a wide-ranging talk that had highlighted the challenging circumstances faced by so many, and given valuable insights.   Members joined Graham in expressing their appreciation.

There will be a meeting on Thursday 28^th July in the Westlands Hotel, Doune Road, at 6.00 for 6-30pm. The speaker will be Rotarian Colin Strachan who will give an account of his recent round-the-world tour.   Visitors are always very welcome to meetings.  Anyone interested in attending should contact the Club Secretary, Iain Fraser at secretary@dunblanerotary.org.  Tel: 01786 822751.  More information can be found on the Club website: www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or the Facebook site: www.facebook.com/dunblanerotary.