It has been a very busy week and I haven’t been diligent with my diary. Apologies to my dear European fellows. I know you are all waiting for my guidance to discover the rulers’ land during your long holidays. I guess you haven’t come back from your holidays or might be already on sick leave.
What an exciting week. Coming back from the wedding in the Vermont I stopped in Boston for meetings at Harvard. By the way, even at the wedding I met interesting people. One works for USAid and is in the same office as colleagues I’m scheduled to meet next week. Another works for a grant-maker worth as much as the benediction of the Pope.
I must confess that I committed the capital sin for a professional networker: I forgot my business cards. However, I stole the business cards of Simona. She hosts me in her classy penthouse overlooking Union Square. Very appropriate.
Anyway, let’s go back to the lessons I learnt in my first weeks. If you visit the US you must start with foundations. In the US you’ll find foundations of every kind but the common denominator is huge and wealthy. Amongst others, I visited the Ford Foundation. One of the first and largest. It looks like the Treasury in a European country. It’s massive. Unlike a Government department, the staff are kind and sophisticated. Even the secretaries wear Chanel and make witty comments. Don’t look like a beggar but repeat to yourself “I’m very important” and you might get out with a grant in your pocket. They are quick in NY… not just for sex.
Another sort of foundation is the Universities. They normally are private and not-for-profit. At least the Ivy League ones, the academic aristocracy so to speak. Everything looks cool: the building, classes, library, bathrooms. Even academics specialized in third sector are cool. They are like business professors in Europe: the well dressed, bright and assured; not geeky.
I was invited by Princeton to visit the Woodrow Wilson School of International Studies. Did you know that Woodrow Wilson was the only academic to became the President of the United States?
The building looks like the headquarters of a bank except that there is more art and everybody is very progressive. Don’t miss the academics. They are very well connected and always sit on the board of foundations. They are the frontdoor for foundations and backdoor for corporations. Without mentioning the quality of research in the sector – we all studied American researchers like Lester Salomon – and the power of acclaimed academics: Kissinger was an academic.
Think-tanks are also typical form of institution in the US, because they invented them. But be careful. Ask around before arranging a meeting. Otherwise, you might find yourself thinking that you’re speaking to a progressive organisation and discovering later instead that they were neocons. It happened to me. In principle, it doesn’t matter. They are all bi-partisan. In reality, you will look ridiculous. They are partisan like the rest of us!
Look at the quality of American think-tanks’ work. It’s superb and policy makers fear and seek them. It’s part of the American checks and balance system. There is a lot of to learn and parties to go. Think-tanks organise wonderful black-tie parties. Get an invitation if you are in NY.
Finally, arrange a meeting at the UN. Don’t worry about the reason, just do it. Once you are there it’s like a huge party. You will find the right contacts you need. Just ask. The institution with its hundred agencies is looking for legitimacy and allies. It hasn’t been treated very well by its members in the last years. If you are a civil society representative show your ID and they will find a spot for you. The bureaucracy is challenging but there are plenty of smart and committed people. It’s also a great launch pad and networking opportunity. Once you’ve got into the club you won’t leave it.
Actually the UN staff are so cool that you can meet them in the trendy nightclubs. Clubbing is part of networking in NY and so you should make sure you have your entry refunded by your orgnisation!
By the way, did you know that the UN employs three times as many staff as the EC but manages a budget 60 times smaller? Just some information for the Euroskeptic.
I’m preparing to leave NY for Washington. I don’t mind leaving for DC but I will have a problem to go back to London. I’m not sure I want to live in old Europe anymore. Anyway, forget the Europeans and let’s start playing with the soldiers in the capital!
Cosa fa VITA?
Da 30 anni VITA è la testata di riferimento dell’innovazione sociale, dell’attivismo civico e del Terzo settore. Siamo un’impresa sociale senza scopo di lucro: raccontiamo storie, promuoviamo campagne, interpelliamo le imprese, la politica e le istituzioni per promuovere i valori dell’interesse generale e del bene comune. Se riusciamo a farlo è grazie a chi decide di sostenerci.