A non-traditional, out of the box campaign is what got Barack Obama into the office. Contrary to previous presidential campaigns, the face to face contact was essential  instead of the focus on mass media or mass communication. At the start of his campaign Obama was heavily criticized for his non-traditional approach, unaware the fact that he opened a can of enormous potential.

Even though the campaign was directed Obama constantly challenged his  campaign team to tap into their creativity to capitalize one of the 72 opportunities every minute to move  voters to action. Every heartbeat is an opportunity to move us into action as we ...

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“Help she is not breathing! Is there a doctor in the room or someone who knows reanimation?!” The start of the reanimation crash course I provided to youngster aged 11 to 13 early December. It was fascinating to see how eager these youngsters were to learn more about reanimation and emergency help. After the theory and practice came the doubts and questions whether they had to apply reanimation at all times to everybody. Followed by excuses including a bad mouth smell, running late for their (romantic) dates even including others will save his/her life. Stressing the fact that through their current knowledge and expertise they should feel a sense of shared responsibility as they could make a life or death difference. It seemed that the list of excuses grew larger and larger....

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November 26, 2007
I have been questioning the quality of the media, their objectivity and their role in creating certain perceptions for a reasonable time now. On November 21st, 2007 I got really disappointed.

On that day the International Year of Sanitation (IYS) was globally launched. In the Netherlands the launch of IYS was announced on a daily TV show followed by an interview with (a very talented) sanitation designer Marike Andeweg. The viewers learned that her innovative designs - washbasins, bathtubs and other bathroom accessory - are simple and beautiful and they can be found all over the world; from the penthouses in Dubai to the bathrooms of the Royal Danish family.

Unfortunately, the daily TV show connected this day to popular and innovative sanitation...

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July 23, 2007
Not so long ago, the climate change issue took me on a 24 hour roller coaster ride, from cynics to optimists. It took me a while to land on my feet again and realise what had happened. Eventually, it was the element of recognition - not climate change - which took me on this roller coaster ride.

From scepticism
On a global scale, women are increasingly recognised as crucial actors in fighting climate change as they are disproportionately affected by the impacts of it. A couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed a very informative session on this subject. I met women who have been environmentally active since the early seventies and who have since then contributed to a better future for all. However, a number of these ladies expressed serious doubts on the differen...

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