I was in the UK up until a few days ago.  Over the last 3 years I probably visit at least once a year.  Before I left the UK I lived in middle class house in a middle class county town, yet in the year before leaving I had to call the police a couple of times to complain about drunkenness, excessive noise and disturbance – was I getting ‘middle aged’ or was there a problem with deteriorating behaviour?  Walking into the local shopping area I frequently had to steer past pools of vomit from the excesses of the night before, and when driving home through the town late at night at the weekend, we had to be careful to avoid the staggering drunken youths crossing the streets.  Each year when I return I see further evidence of respect for others and basic good manners being diminished.

Now switch to Qatar – no riots here, even in the heat of the Arab Spring, all has remained calm – ok, things are not perfect and some people are treated worse than others, but my observations on the culture here might be indicators on what’s wrong with the UK.

In Qatar there is:

• very strong family relationships – families eat together, meet together, have fun together
• controlled drinking laws
• strong religious faith
• high employment
• strong economy

Ok, the UK may not want to ‘import’ a wholesale change of culture, but there are elements from which the UK can learn – for me the priority would be parenting.  Strengthen the role of the family and give teachers and police back the authority to discipline bad behaviour.

So, personally rant over – the good news to come out of this is the strengthening of community spirit in those areas who got together to clean up their streets.  Hopefully this unity and communication will continue – if 2012 Olympics are to be a success, the UK will need to encourage these initiatives!

riots in London

Just a few weeks ago Qatar held the second “Qatar International Business Women’s Forum” organised by The Qatar Business Womens Forum, the two day conference drew over 600 women from across the globe. The conference was opened by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Emiri Diwan Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah opened the Second Qatar International Business Women Forum. HE Al Attiyah expressed his confidence that Arab women, having contributed towards the economic progress of Arab economy, would have a greater role to play in the coming stage since they have the capabilities to lead institutions, corporations, take strategic decisions, ensure its implementation and achieve their goals.

This message was continued by Dr Ibrahim of the General Secretariat for Development Planning, where he outlined that in the Qatar National Development Strategy there will be specific goals to advance women. Qatar women can look forward to initiatives aimed at providing them with high quality training, and the removal of constraints inhibiting their contribution in decision making and in the workforce.

Having worked for more family friendly working practices in the UK, I am personally encouraged to hear that Qatar is looking at the issues of:
- long hours
- work placed nurseries
- gender sensitised legislation
- the promotion of women in business
In 2009 only 3% of women are in leadership roles but the target is to have increased this figure to 30% by 2016.

Qatar is changing in many ways, and as an ex-pat I feel we have an obligation to respect the desire for change, but also the desire to retain a highly respected and valued culture. On this site there are many posts mentioning the various women’s network and training events which seek to support the empowerment of women in a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.

As Qatar moves towards the realisation of it’s 2030 Vision, there is no doubt that the role of women will be critical to its success.

For further information on Qatar’s National Development Strategy you can access the website here.

I love Christmas!  There is no denying. I love the excitement. I love the bustle in the shops, the carols, the lights, the decorations and the cold.  So spending Christmas in a hot, non-Christian country does take some adjustment.

This is our 3^rd Christmas in Qatar.  Year one we had some friends and family over, last year I went back to the UK, this year it’s just Dave and myself, so I set about the ‘Christmas Project’ early.

December 1^st – Advent Calendars – this year I have really loved the Jacqiue Lawson Advent Calendar, the Christmas e-cards are always good, but each morning opening up my Village and finding it come to life has been a wonderful way to participate in a traditional village Christmas.  It brings back memories of the small towns I lived in, Dickens nights, the town lights and Christmas tree, the local church.

I insisted on shipping over the tree I had had for many years, it still bears up very well and every decoration has a memory.  Christmas memories are mostly of when my children were small, the tree light up and the open fire alight.

We have no fireplace here, but with the tree up and curtains pulled, I can imagine its cold outside.

To add to the atmosphere, I have created my own Christmas playlist on Spotify – well I know it’s only for UK/Europe but most ex-pats know the value of a VPN!  This also gives me access to sites such as SeeSaw, which means in the lead up to Christmas I can watch old Christmas specials.

Then there is my library of old Christmas films and not forgetting the radio.  This year I am most grateful to Mr Jobs and Apple for the iPad.  One of my favourite apps is the Tunein Radio app, hundreds of stations are available.  I have rejected ‘Christmas FM’ from Northern Ireland, but was delighted to find Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion there as a weekly show.  Garrison can make me both laugh and cry with the stories of Lake Wobegon and Christmas is the best time for both.

So, as it’s now Christmas Eve, and I will listening to the traditional nine lessons and carols from Kings on my iPad, whilst making the mince pies – I can look back and say that I am very grateful for the technology which has enabled me to remember the excitement and wonder of Christmas.

I wish you all the best for the Season and a Happy 2011!

As Qatar gets back to work today after a weekend of jubilant celebration, the talk everywhere is of how this will impact the country.  The pride and excitement is tangible.  With a population made up in the majority of ex-pats, there is still great pride in our adopted country.  The slogan says it all ‘Expect Amazing!’  Qatar has amazing vision, amazing talent and amazing determination to succeed.

There is no doubt in my mind that these games will be well organised and staggering in terms of technology and architectural design.  There is a lot to manage over the next 12 years, not just the buildings and infrastructure, but also how to sensitively manage the cultural impact of opening the country up to receive many more foreign workers and an army of football fans in 2022.

I am confident that Qatar will manage this well.

I have attached here a link to some wonderful photos from Al Jazeera of the past 2 days:

Within my first month I had been invited to become a regular addition to the Thursday evening women’s get together at the home of the Mother of one of my contacts, and I am now treated just as one of the family. They invited me to the wedding of one of the girls and that was the most colourful and again, welcoming experience I have had – I need to write an account of this alone.

We have been invited to fishing trips, meals to meet family and my husband has even been measured for a traditional ‘Thobe’ to be worn when we go to his friend’s house for the Eid celebration.

One Arabic business women I know explained that in Britain we have to get to know someone for a long time before inviting them to our homes, but here it is completely the reverse situation.

I am enjoying exploring the difference – but my waistline is struggling to deal with all the wonderful food!

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