Between 1998 – 2003 he served as the United Kingdom Ambassador to the United Nations attending meetings of the United Nations Security Council, with a special mission to West Africa. In September 2003 he was a special representative for Iraq.

Current positions include Chairman of Gatehouse Advisory Partners, a geopolitical consultancy; Chairman of the United Nations Association of the UK; Advisory consultancy post with the oil industry in Iraq and active interests in UN Security Council, Middle East, UN reform, British foreign policy, and nuclear issues.

“I am always kept busy” Jeremy Greenstock’s opening remarks as we sat adjacent to each other preparing for the interview to take place. I was greeted with a firm handshake, mute smile and a twinkle in his eyes. A true picture of a British gentleman, confident, charming and self-assured.

Coming from a family of school masters, Jeremy left university to teach at Eton. Soon after he applied for the Foreign Office, was accepted and his career took off from then. “The mission has always remained the same, look after British interests abroad”.

Jeremy describes diplomacy as a mixture of communication and charm ultimately leading to what the UK does best. The best part about the job is “Avoiding wars but there is a lot of paper work that goes with it”, most of the delegates would be able to relate to that.

The Limun conference is a unique starting point which will begin to prepare the delegates for what the world is like and how they can play their part in a global society. Jeremy felt the key to this work is how to be a global citizen working for the collective rather than just national activities.

Limun creating global citizens

I took the liberty of asking a few questions about current global situations starting off with Syria. Jeremy believes that: “Syria is the next stage of the Arab springs, a country that has experienced violent repression before with Assad’s father which is unacceptably widely condemned by the international community and the UN security council is in no doubt about that. It is a ridiculous assertion for Assad to claim outside interference in the uprising as it is about the people trying to rid a repressive government”. The situation needs political support as it is a very difficult situation that may lead to a civil war if a military solution is used.

Jeremy: “Iraq went beyond what was acceptable, Afghanistan was within the UN remit but I feel that unacceptable consequences will emerge if military action is used. It is not the route to take but we must find a way to put on him to go.”

On the Iranian situation, Jeremy felt: “It is a mistake to treat the Iranian issues in isolation. Iran wants international status by holding nuclear power and wants invulnerability. Iran doesn’t want it to attack Israel and currently does not have the capability to do so but they would like to attract the science and the materials.”

A comprehensive bargain deal is needed to understand the gulf security situation that doesn’t govern very well. We can’t support the record of the regime but Iran has some rights that should be acknowledged through comprehensive diplomacy.

History doesn’t repeat itself but people have a tendency to repeat themselves. The situation in the Falklands is a case in point. Jeremy states: “Argentina has no greater claim on the Falkland Islands over the UK and the UN will consider the self-determination of the people. The people must come first over Argentina’s right to take over the islands. The UN won’t recognise the claim being brought to them as the people should come first, a point being missed.” The UK is not worried by the threats.

Moving on to the diamond jubilee, I wanted to ask for Jeremy’s thoughts on the reign. “The Queen’s longevity is a cause for celebration as she has been committed to public service and has served her country magnificently.” The background and technology may have changed but the DNA of the people doesn’t change as fast. The 60-70 long period of peace time has created a vibrant and tolerant nation who is very accepting of other backgrounds. “Compared with other former colonial societies we are as broad and as tolerant as any of them and we come out strongly. I am pleased when I look back at the last 60 years of history.”

It is not all looking back through rose-tinted glasses, the economy is not right. Jeremy believes that many of the UK citizens have not been working hard enough, bad at learning other languages and understanding the emerging economies around the world. We have been resting on our past successes.

The key message that Jeremy wanted to leave the delegates is that it is about thinking global by acting through local actions. A polarised world is the consequence of a globalised world, the reaction to that process.

Young people need to be active by understanding the world and turning effecting action into local action. “Expect change; be ready to adapt, go with it but try to shape it as well by being active. Delegates must be interested that is why they have participated in the Limun conference.

The Atheeb group has a global outlook but is grounded in the Saudi tradition, building on the spirit of local action on a global level.

Her journey started when she attended her international school and the education she received developed her understanding of her surroundings. She felt that it was within her power to make a difference and set out to establish the organisation.

At the tender age of 16 she faced many obstacles, from trying to obtain legal support for the structure of the organisation to many people suggesting that she was too young. Luck came in the form of a private sector company who share their expertise and host the organisation under their umbrella. The mission is to support causes and spread awareness of those issues.

“I was not aware that I had been making a difference until I spoke at Ted X”, says Maha. Her speech delved into the idea of people assuming that because she is a princess, she does not have to work as hard as anyone else. If you get somewhere with the help of aid, many people will not accept it that you may have worked in the process.

“No-one knows how hard I work and glad that I am having an impact through my words”.

Primarily she wants to be a better person through education, developing herself and impacting everyone around her, whilst ensuring that she is living for the good of her country.

“I work with over 200 people less fortunate than I am in my country”, let us hope she continues to work with many more people.

The importance of EU is invisible when things go well but becomes visible when things start going wrong. A danger is building with the financial crisis. Germany used to consider things from 16 state perspective rather than worldwide view like the UK.

State debt bubble has come about with many debts building up in the Eurozone as most Western countries have public deficits that have continued to grow. States are paying off debts that were accrued over the last 40 years.

The reason for the crisis will provide the solution to resolve this. It is not a crisis of the Euro but rather a crisis of certain member states. The exchange rate between the dollar shows that the Euro is still a strong currency. Financial and social reform in Germany has contributed to the strength of the German economy despite the Eurozone.

The Eurozone needs joint responsibility to deal with the debt crisis. Germany would be in a worse position outside of the Eurozone. It is a debt crisis and stability has to be maintained throughout the world. One option would be to limit the possibility of new debt by cutting social and other benefits like the UK’s position.

This crisis cannot be solved by one country on its own as the countries that are in trouble face a domino effect if allowing one country to default on its debt. We are not able to see and predict the side effects of Greece defaulting on its debt. A toolbox is needed to better understand the impact on the market.

Germany is prepared to take on the challenge to preserve the Eurozone. European idealism and romanticism has driven some of the policies in the past, this approach has been sidelined for a more pragmatic approach to resolve the undesired effects of a crisis.

A German Europe is a contradiction in its term. The German electorate doesn’t want to buy into a German Europe. Performance driven initiatives are what count, as people want the crisis resolved and look to Germany to do that.

Britain looks after its own interests, is Germany following the same path?

Germany’s fragile position to solve the crisis – the ability to solve the crisis is not so sure with the GDP figures in August. The German paradigm of prosperity is looking like an elusion. The Eurozone is the biggest market for Germany.

Germany has been sleeping through the boom years when its exports to Ireland were 55% whilst to China only 5%. Life beyond the Euro crisis forces countries to look at their own national interests. The changing centres of gravity with power moving east. The embrace between Germany and Poland provides the link with globalisation exporting goods to China.

Europe is like an old satellite that was launched many years ago, circling around but the purpose has been lost, as no one knows what the purpose is anymore. A man who can’t describe his identity, as what used to be important no longer is relevant.

2. Good people doing good things

3. Tapping into corporate responsibility

One can only be truly happy when one does exactly what they want to do. Inspiration and being inspired is where we should start rather than focussing on just success. Most inspirational people sort to serve other people, service with humanity. If you do something in the spirit of others you will become inspirational and successful.

It is fundamental like food and shelter. In serving others and supporting each other we develop our moral compass. The moment you start serving, everything changes. Once people get over the initial shock, people are fascinated. Everyone has a gift to offer.

Need to know what success means to you!

Most of us are scared of our own power. Try to breath new life into everything that you do by focussing on achieving as much as I can. Self-belief is key, preparation is important, having a clear focus, being authentic and open will help you get to where you need to be.

If you develop hope, courage and inner strength, you will be able to expect the unexpected and never give up. So close the textbooks and start realising your dream as we could all do with some inspiration right now.

Think about inspired action. Everybody always goes and does the same old thing, do something different. Enterprise means to boldly go where no one has gone before. Understand the value of living within a community.

Have you found your joy in your life – what is it that brings you joy? Has your life brought joy to others? Most people are not fully living on purpose. We are here to be outstanding. Acting as if you cannot fail, in line with your dreams can express who you are. Everybody has a contribution to make.

Turn mistakes into feedback. Stay and try, put up and shut up, or walk. Learn from failure. Failure is important but not a big deal.

Inspiration has to achieve something. Influence is more important than inspiring. Sometime the combination works.

Young people lack planning – people in prison can use that time to change their lives – making change. Telling stories to young people not at the level of behaviour but at the higher level.

Making people see themselves different from how they see themselves. Talk to each other and make a connection with the young people around us. We need to stop lying about our society, we need a reality check without it be soul destroying.

What is a creative business? Is a business run by creatives, a business run in a creative way, a business with a creative product, or all of the above?

A creative business should challenge old ways of doing things and create value within the market place. How many businesses are making the best products in the world but nobody is buying them. The legacy of manufacturing should merge into integrating technology into people’s lives, making the process easier to embrace new technologies coming through.

One has to think creatively in every aspect of the business and not just in the design space. If you have no money then work out how to do something without those resources. One can only create or find demand by understanding what people want and need.

The biggest resources are skills and experience. In terms of strategy – its better to know where you want to get rather than planning meticulously as sometimes things come up that force you to change and adapt. The curse of the creative, they have great ideas but no follow through, whereas innovation is ideas made real.

Insight and strategic positioning is about linking design technology and development together. Most businesses are not interested in creativity but rather in ideas. Ideas are formed by experience and context. Ideas can be the starting point in our competitive environment.

Loads of industries are struggling with ideas management; most companies would love to manage their ideas process. Ideas are judged on the proposition that is generated with the idea, as everything has to be justified. Designing value propositions rather than objects.

Ideas generation and value propositions can be sold to businesses as innovative ideas creation. The idea is to move away from the product to the whole package. Looking at both functions and emotional aspects of an idea or product.

The value of design to visualise a future based on a tangible proposition rather than being bogged-down with processes and procedures based on spread sheets. Continual creative development process similar to management trajectory – there are core themes that need to be embedded.

Leading fine art is coming from Asia within its dissident culture – is it the case that Europe has lost its way due to not being under pressure.

This event brought together important thinkers to tackle the question as to whether the BRICS will save the UKs economy.

Lord Desai, British economist and Labour peer felt that the short answer is no, the BRICS won’t help. There is a crisis of under saving in the developed countries and those countries are mainly borrowing from China and Gulf States. These countries cannot continue to fund developed nations forever. Sovereign defaults might spread across like a contagion. The BRICS have nothing to buy from developed countries. China was selling manufacturing to the west then used the funds to loan back to the west – cycling money. Except high-tech skills, the developed countries don’t have much to offer BRICS nations. We used to sell financial services but that would need cleaning up. Right now there is nothing on the horizon in terms of a saviour for the west. China is no longer interested in buying government debts. Developed countries are not exporting as much to developing countries. The structural weakness of developed economies is that there are stronger ties between them and us rather than us and them. Fragile banking system and financial debt in EU zone needs to be sorted out first.

Christine Shields from Standard Chartered suggests that the UK exports more to Ireland than we do to China even thought China’s economy is far larger. Germany exports a lot to China that helps its economy. The BRICS can offer a way out but the world is still dominated by US and EU economies. The transfer of economic power from the west to the east is taking place now. The west is not finished in terms of creativity, cash and commodities, which could challenge the economic power of the BRICS. There are future potential economic drivers in other countries but Russia should not be seen as a strong economy due to cash flight and overreliance on oil. India and China are true success stories in economic terms – shifts out of agriculture into industry and services. The domestic drivers inside their own economies include rising incomes, rising middle classes and shifts in demographics. The demand in India is set to rise in the next couple of years.

Dr Linda Yueh, economist, author and broadcaster thinks as emerging economies continue to grow they may help western economies. The BRICS economies are not strong enough to hold the world economy. The world economy needs 3% growth to help things tick over. A lot of the stimulus was funded by state owned banks that could prevent further stimulus packages being paid out. The BRICS are starting to re-order their economies towards domestic driven rather than just exporting to the west. When China generates growth most people outside of that market do not benefit, so not the same impact as when the US generates growth. China is interested in creating global multinational business in Europe. You don’t have to buy EU debt; you could just buy Greek assets. China is moving up the value chain by buying western and European assets that are up for sale. This is what the Chinese want to buy up outside but are not really interested in an open market into China.

Karen Ward from HSBC explains how forecasts in the US economy has been falling since 2008, however the emerging worlds forecasts being revised back up whilst the US continues to fall. The weakness in the west is not palatable to our politicians so they continue to throw money at the problem. As the west continues to stagnate and throws more money at the problem, most of that money flows south and east or in asset bubbles that have to pop. Most stimulus packages are not being used in western economies. The more we stimulate the more commodity prices rise around the world. Cost of living rises and real prices raise so wages squeezed further. This leads to the problem of assets bubbles and inflation.

Charles Mackinnon from Thurleigh Investment Managers describes how 20 years ago this would have been unthinkable but now real money is made on those ideas. My job is to try and invest money. We have spent tomorrow’s money on yesterday’s gratification. The world is not in a mess as some economies are growing and expanding. Who is going to buy the stuff that the BRICS make. The collapse in G7 will force a collapse in the emerging economies. Westerners consume a lot, only 12% of the population but consume 60% of world consumption; very small changes in consumption make a big difference. The incompetence of our politicians will make the world collapse; we used to make the world go around without their meddling. Electors are unhappy so will vote in politicians who won’t do what’s needed but rather play up to the electorate.

The big question is how do we engage without giving up the crown jewels, creating protectionism and securing the future?

The level playing field in China is becoming more open but some of the policies are not fair. China is more interested in internal development rather than in the west. People seem to forget how bad Asia was treated in the past, so the west needs humility when dealing with emerging economies.

The Chinese have a long memory of western free trade like how tea was stolen. The Chinese have long planning framework with their 3, 5, 10 and even 50 year plans. Internationalising their RIB China wants their currency to become a reserve currency. Dollar is the highest, then Euro, then sterling and finally the yen.

China is creating offshore foreign exchange markets to test whether their currency can be traded worldwide but need to be sure that the benefits outweigh the costs.

Bankers provide credit that has created the economy that we now have. We are in the mess because people make bad choices, it’s not the bankers fault rather politicians should protect people from their own vices. Banks don’t make money without our co-operation.

Asian bank regulation – macro prudential measures, the UK could have learned a lot from how Asian banks were regulated. In Asia they tweek the loan to value levels on mortgages which the UK should go back to rather than give out 120% mortgages.

In China people mainly buy through savings and do not really have an understanding on credit, maybe that market will open up soon. The Chinese banks are highly liquid but insolvent. Politics in China is a competitive sport and foreign policy has an economic tone but the military is always lurking in the background.

The underplay of political risks markets don’t see things until it hits them in the face. Protectionism is a rising danger.

The Eurozone policy on immigration is very bad and will further stagnate growth in the Eurozone. Incompetent and impotent is the description of politicians in particular within the Eurozone. The golf ball or the doughnut is the outcome of the Eurozone – either Germany leaving or the southern states leaving will create massive bankruptcies.

Multiple decision makers make things difficult within the Eurozone. Solutions either cut Greece loose or flood the banks with credit but the major task is to save the banks. The European strategy is to muddle along – the cost of bailing out Greece is less than the cost of the Eurozone failing.

Politicians are not selling these ideas to the electorate and markets want things to happen over night. Politicians need to stop markets making the agenda rather then to continue kicking the can down the road. Fiscal union or members start to leave – two solutions for the Eurozone. It is not legal to leave the Eurozone but perfectly legal to leave the Euro.

Others are understandably calling for tougher sentences as if a six months custodial sentence for stealing some water is not enough punishment. There is even talk of using water canon and live rounds if any future disturbances occur.

What should not be forgotten was the complete range of the riots and the different motivations within each situation. Even though the riots started in Tottenham, spread out to Wood Green and Edmonton, they never touched certain surrounding areas but were to be found the places like Salford that is the other end of the country.

The wider political scene contributing to the disturbances has not really been addressed and a recent report found that it was solely police numbers that were at play. Rather than the amount of people living in this country that have nothing to look forward to, no stake in society, and nothing to loose.

So breaking into Currys for a wide screen television are about young people who want to be part of that consumer society. The cuts will lead to further situations.

There is a huge disconnect between members of society, including the weariness between younger and older people, the culture of grievance, and the force of gangs – if you feel you have a future to risk then you will not get involved.

The government has seemed to manage the crisis quite well; the right is good at that. My fear is that if gentrification has failed these young people what else will work?

Pay attention to how people love demonising the riots as if we dehumanise the riots; they are just like animals so they can be treated any way fit.

Every great event calls for a simple explanation and that explanation is usually wrong, however I personally feel that the level of inequality is the problem!

Peaceful, crime free, sense of community, uncorrupted, egalitarian, economically sensitive, and multicultural with all people living together.

Is it really ridiculous to desire these aspirations?

All around the world people are becoming poorer in places like India, US and the UK.

The globalised and borderless nature of new problems that government have no handle on including climate, economic, terrorism, etc.

The disenchantment with politics and the system has risen. Alienation from politics, each other and our authentic true self – sense of purpose and meaning. We are not only detached from each other but with the political decisions around us.

We have given away that control and we need to take that back. Change can be transmitted from one part of the world to another. We are not familiar with the type of order that is in front of us and our politics is not suited to it – not chaos but something in between.

Action convinces people to change, not words. Actions of the people beside you have more influence than politicians. Causing political change requires actions – signing petitions does nothing. The shift from action to inaction – campaigning. Political disenfranchisement from politics makes people turn to violence.

If you don’t give people responsibility towards their own affairs, they will not behave responsibly. If this condition continues than you might get what happened in Kosvo – the lack of political decision making processes.

1. Action – take action on the political concerns that motivate us, small steps can be taken on every issue
2. Collaboration – group of people who share the concern, make the change together rather than demanding others to make that change

Including the people most effected in the decision making process. Treating others like how we would treat ourselves is flawed – instead we should ask people what they want.

We need collective decision-making and mass participation that leads to better outcomes than elite politics. Getting everyone debating together on real decisions that have to be made, not about opinions but real decisions. Science and facts become sacred. The outcome is more equality. Include people in decision-making and they will ensure outcomes are maintained.

Private ownership and publicly owned (share) has become an unsustainable model. The short-term drive of profits does not take into account the health of the workers. Hierarchy is not fit for the 21^st century – understand the complexity of the world we live today.

Empower the agents, the individual parts of the system. Workers called partners and consulted on the decision making process of the company, people are elected to the board, like John Lewis.

We need alternative forms of political action, not advocating violence. States have a monopoly of violence and they are legit in their violence, only states can be the legitimate users of violence that make it justified to everyone else

We don’t ask for this system, we are signed into it. The only way to contract out of the system is to die.

Governments are losing power to arbitrate to deal with the problems in society. We need to take control of ourselves. Our economists decide what we are and government and we are frightened by our own power.

Have we lost the idea of a better society?

Before bargaining begins:

For buyers

• Research what you are buying, where and who it can be brought from, and at what price
• How much can I afford to pay
• Am I looking for the lowest price or are there any other factors
• Will the seller compromise

For sellers

• What price am I willing to sell at
• Factors other than price which are important
• Persuade the buyer to buy at the highest price
• What other services can I offer

The bargaining process:

1. Establishing criteria – each party explains what they want and what they expect in return
2. Exchanging information – each party must attempt to find out as much as possible about the needs of the other party in order to be able to satisfy them
3. The deal – the two parties negotiate towards an acceptable compromise

Bargaining tactics:

• Concessions
• Eagerness to buy/sell
• Time
• Setting a price/splitting the difference
• Silence
• Mistakes

Sales tactics:

• Cost, condition and value
• Features, advantages and benefits
• Back it up with writing
• Have the facts to hand
• The feel/felt/found tactic
• Negotiating a fee
• Selling on approval

Five websites for online support and advice for SMEs

www.berr.gov.uk – the website of the UK Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory reform. Complete with business news, support, sector information, a valuable resource for SME owners

www.businesslink.gov.uk – your first online port of call: a free business advice and support service, with advice on employees and topics such as taxation and payroll and addressing issues relevant to your business

www.hmrc.gov.uk – essential information for businesses on all issues relating to taxation and their business

www.carbontrust.co.uk – an independent company backed by the government, the Carbon Trust provides information for your business on how to reduce carbon emissions and save money

www.britishchambers.org.uk – a national business network for member businesses across the UK but a useful resource for companies for general information and on issues of best practice

• ENCOURAGE ‘good-mouthing’ the antidote to badmouthing
• CLARIFY what you are (all) committed to
• SPEAK truthfully
• LISTEN emphatically
• THINK win/win

What is a community? People drawn together by a product or service you are offering

First steps – define your mission statement; explain why you are doing this, what the objective is and what you want to get out of it

Attracting members – think about how to attract traffic. Traffic equates to people, and more people means more involvement

You’re the boss – community leaders need to combine the roles of the four Ps: participant; politician; preacher; policeman

Accepting the risks – you cannot control what customers say about you

Laying down rules – a community needs a firm set of rules to define what is and isn’t acceptable