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An Asset For Designing A Miracle Future

An Asset For Designing A Miracle Future

Luc A. Lepandou
Motivational Essay for NHH GSS Application

NHH Graduate Summer School

An Asset For Designing A Miracle Future

Yes I concede it: I have occasionally compared my home country Gabon with Norway along the lines of various indicators such as GDP, HDI, ecological footprint, life expectancy, etc... Invariably, I would end up sulking upon how well Norway was faring in comparison to Gabon for, in lieu of thinking about how to capitalize on the few similarities shared by these two nations, I would instead absorb myself in the starkness of their oceanic differences. Positively depressive, is it not?! Well, in light of the NHH Graduate Summer School (NHH GSS) program in Natural Resource Management & Policy, I am now re-assessing the situation with a slightly different mindset: just like Norway, Gabon is endowed with abundant natural resources (most notably crude oil, manganese and timber), a low population density (5.5 inhabitants per square kilometer) and an even smaller population (less than 1.5 million). However, unlike Norway, Gabon has been suffering from decades of inadequate policy making and management regarding the utilization of its natural resources. Only recently did the Gabonese government start deploying tentative efforts toward a more environmental take on that matter. Additionally, Gabonese people cruelly lack the appropriate mindset and attitude towards ecologically interacting with their environment and sustainably managing its resources. This is where I believe that my input as an international student from an emerging market economy coupled with my excellent graduate scholastic instruction to which I have every single intention of adding the NHH GSS program - would prove valuable assets in turning the tides of Gabons environmental economic politics! While my cultural perspective and unique approach already enhance my awareness of developing countries' needs and concerns, I entrust my academic education and professional acumen to provide me with the necessary tools to become an efficacious vehicle of the NHH GSS program's pedagogical objectives. To this end, I am focusing my master thesis on Leadership Development for Socially Sustainable Economic Degrowth. I am also structuring my studies to supplement my Majors concentration in Leadership and Management Studies with a Minor track in Social Entrepreneurship and the NHH GSS program in Natural Resources Management and Policy. By combining the teachings from my three academic segments, I plan on developing an ecologically sound model for resources management that would fit as well as improve - Gabons current and future position. In parallel, I want to design and to implement leadership development programs that would enable Gabonese people to become more involved in preserving their country through adequate management of its natural resources.

An Asset For Designing A Miracle Future

My involvement with the policy-making realm of managing natural resources actually started with my undergraduate major in Food Marketing and Agribusiness Management at California Polytechnic University, Pomona. It continued throughout the five years I was employed at Starbucks Inc. immediately after graduation. Both my undergraduate major and professional career shaped my immediate world in truly revealing ways: I initially felt revolted upon realizing the extents to which the Agribusiness industry in concert with so many other human industrial activities was willing to go in terms of plundering the Earths resources for the sake of blind capitalist growth. Since then, I have drastically reconfigured my life style toward reducing my individual footprint: I have never owned any gas-operated vehicle, I recycle and re-use plastic and glass bottles, Im a firm believer in refurbished furniture and second-hand clothing (amen for vintage!), I make a point of mostly purchasing organically produced commodities since 2004 and I have become a strict vegetarian since 2007. The NHH GSS program in Natural Resource Management & Policy represents a pivotal factor affecting my ability to actualize my potential and to leave a positive legacy to our world. The hands-on approach, philosophy of cultural diversity and pedagogical focus on environmental economics of this program are not only complementary to my current graduate specialization, but also relevant for my future professional goals. Such fact alone is tremendously attractive, but even more delightful is the value this program offers by virtue of its interdisciplinary structure, relevant courses list, cosmopolitan profile - from faculty to student body to location! - and 'recession-friendly' tuitions exemptions - let's not fool ourselves: we still are in a recession! Thus, I know that applying for this prestigious program is a unique opportunity towards fully realizing my vocational aspirations as well as an irrefutably beneficial event both as a personal development experience and a scholarly accomplishment. 'Challenging and exciting' is how I view this program and it exactly is how it makes me feel: challenged and excited. Would my application for admission receive a favorable echo, I know that there will be work to tackle down for some very fruitful results! This is who and where I aim to be; and while I reckon that my current higher education and professional experience are solid stepping stones necessary to further such endeavor, I am unequivocally certain that the NHH GSS is the spearhead I need to succeed.

Sincerely yours,

Luc A. LEPANDOU