<div class="editor-cover-image" data-dimensions="780:300" data-pmr-editor-image="" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://leaders-council-web.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/store/e3e8d484e16dd78b9d3c1d936aaeeb21.jpg&quot;);"></div>

 <div data-pmr-editable="" class="medium-editor-insert-plugin">In the fourth of a five part special report, Ahmed Shibli, managing director of <a href="http://www.etd-consulting.com">ETD Consulting </a>sets out his own unique take on the twenty-first century to date and how several disparate events that have shaped our lives over the past twenty years may well be connected.&nbsp; Part FourWhile many South East Asian countries had the experience of SARS and reacted quickly our leaders in the West left it too late. Even the scientific advisers were reluctant to learn from the experience of those countries. So while Vietnam, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and other countries neighbouring China, some with thousands of miles of border with China, stopped all flights and other transport from China right from day 1 and nipped the evil in the bud with deaths that could be counted on the fingers of one, or may be both, hands, we in the West paid a heavy price both in terms of life and ruined economies. The countries with populist right-wing regimes suffered most. The USA, India, UK, Brazil and Israel saw the bulk of deaths. This cannot be a pure coincidence, the common denominator is quite clear to many. While we condemned the digital media which suddenly started showing the ‘other side of the story’ that the established media was sometimes less than enthusiastic to show, it became very popular with those seeking to know the alternative version. Thus, while the UK media covered well the brutal actions of the Hong Kong police, its coverage of the Indian army curfew in Kashmir, the year long lockdown of the masses, large scale arrest of the politicians and brutal treatment of the youth that dared to come out to protest or even to attend weddings or funerals of the loved ones was, and still is, nearly non-existent. It is in this environment of telling the half-truths that the alternative media became popular. Similarly, the new TV media outlets such as Aljazeera and RT became popular alternative sources of storytelling. Our reaction was to blame these sources of media as pure propaganda or ‘fake’ news. Instead of improving the message we sought to shoot the messenger and thus gave more oxygen to the alternative media. So <a name="OLE_LINK29"></a><a name="OLE_LINK30">maybe the single ‘string theory of politics’ is that if we are going to promote violence abroad through proxy or direct wars, through encouraging violent uprisings against the regimes unfriendly to us, sell arms-for-profit to the brutal regimes that we may call ‘our sons of the bitches’ in the famous words of Henry Kissinger, sell arms to Saudis to bomb helpless Yemenis and so on, and as the digital media is playing and replaying these stories and images all the time to our own dispossessed and to our minorities (Muslims or otherwise) then the kick back may be ugly. Can this possibly explain the Capitol invasion in Washington DC? </a>Our own population mix in the UK, Europe and North America has now significantly changed with multi-culture and multi-religious dimensions widespread. Our own indigenous new generation has been brought up and went to school with these boys and girls and do not regard the world and the society as ‘them’ and ‘us’, unlike the older generations still ruling our countries. To be continued…<a href="https://admin.leaderscouncil.co.uk/news/comment-ahmed-shibli-discusses-the-unifying-string-theory-of-the-twenty-first-century-in-an-ongoing-series-3-5">Read part three here.</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leaderscouncil.co.uk/news/comment-ahmed-shibli-discusses-the-unifying-string-theory-of-the-twenty-first-century-in-an-ongoing-series-5-5">Read part five here.&nbsp;</a></div>

In the first of a five part special report, Ahmed Shibli, managing director of ETD Consulting sets out his own unique take on the twenty-first century to date and how several disparate events that have shaped our lives over the past twenty years may well be connected. 

COMMENT: Ahmed Shibli discusses the 'unifying string theory' of the twenty-first century in an ongoing series. 4/5.  

<div class="editor-cover-image" data-dimensions="780:300" data-pmr-editor-image="" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://leaders-council-web.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/store/afe7d39a157f3776baa624b49a51a40c.jpg&quot;);"></div>

 <div data-pmr-editable="" class="medium-editor-insert-plugin">Our latest leadership round-up brings news of <a href="https://beautykitchen.co.uk/">Beauty Kitchen’s</a> vegan skincare range that is an ideal choice for those participating in Veganuary 2021, while <a href="https://www.shaikhandcoaccountants.com/">Shaikh &amp; Co Chartered Certified Accountants &amp; Registered Auditors</a> have provided a useful explanatory newsletter for businesses closed by the government during the first UK Covid-19 lockdown, after the Supreme Court <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/01/15/insurers-must-pay-small-businesses-lockdown-losses-court-rules/">ruled</a> that insurers should pay out on business interruption claims. Elsewhere, <a href="https://www.nsf.org/">NSF International</a> has announced the launch of its new in vitro diagnostics app. Beauty Kitchen promotes vegan skincare range for Veganuary With greater numbers of people taking part in <a href="https://veganuary.com/">Veganuary</a> every year as its popularity grows, Beauty Kitchen is <a href="https://beautykitchen.co.uk/blogs/news/seahorse-plankton-the-skincare-range-fit-for-veganuary">promoting</a> its cruelty free and vegan sustainable skincare range to kick-off the New Year. Beauty Kitchen’s award-winning <a href="https://beautykitchen.co.uk/collections/seahorse-plankton">Seahorse Plankton+ range</a> is registered with <a href="https://www.vegansociety.com/">The Vegan Society</a> and is <a href="https://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/LeapingBunny">Leaping Bunny</a> approved by <a href="https://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/">Cruelty Free International</a>. It consists of a plethora of products from cleansers to face masks and serums to oils and is scientifically proven to renew and protect skin. To ensure that the Seahorse Plankton+ range is vegan appropriate, the products are fully-plant based with the marine extracts grown by Beauty Kitchen in giant algae baths within a bioreactor, which essentially functions as a large greenhouse. The microalgae then absorb CO2 and release oxygen, which creates renewable energy that is sold back to the electricity grid. Furthermore, two per cent of Beauty Kitchen’s sales are donated to charities such as The Seahorse Trust to ensure the continued conservation of seahorses and plankton.Beauty Kitchen founder Jo Chidley said: “Veganuary isn’t just for food &amp; fashion - it can influence your cosmetics choices too! We want to provide people with a fully sustainable alternative to their usual skincare routines that isn’t going to harm the planet. Our Seahorse Plankton+ range provides just this! We’ve harnessed the power of natural plant-based plankton to create skincare products with incredibly effective results.”Further information on the Seahorse Plankton+ product range can be found <a href="https://beautykitchen.co.uk/blogs/news/seahorse-plankton-the-skincare-range-fit-for-veganuary">here</a>.Shaikh &amp; Co brings good news for businesses Shaikh &amp; Co Chartered Certified Accountants &amp; Registered Auditors have produced a handy guide for business leaders this week after hospitality and other firms received a significant boost.Following the first Covid-19 lockdown in the UK back in the spring of 2020, The Financial Conduct Authority has won its court case to get insurers to pay out for business interruption. The ruling affects around 370,000 policyholders and over £1 billion worth of claims should now be paid out.The news is significant for a wide range of small businesses including pubs, cafes, wedding planners and beauty parlours, who were concerned about becoming insolvent when insurers for business interruption policy claims on losses refused to provide compensation for the first lockdown.The Financial Conduct Authority has said that it will work quickly with insurers to ensure claims are paid out, making interim payments where possible. Insurers have also been instructed to communicate directly and quickly with policyholders who have made claims affected by the ruling to explain the next steps.The newsletter also provides a handy update for businesses on Brexit, along with the latest government news on support measures for firms.Director Alasdair Shaikh commented: “I would urge any business owners out there to contact us if they wish to talk about how these updates affect their business. We are here to support firms through these tough times and are happy to do whatever we can to help.”The full newsletter can be read <a href="https://www.shaikhandcoaccountants.com/business-newsletter/">here</a>.NSF launches IVD appNSF International has announced the launch of its new <a href="https://www.nsf.org/news/nsf-launches-new-ivd-app">in vitro diagnostics [IVD] app</a>, which is now available to download freely via Apple’s App Store and Android’s Google Play Store.The IVD app comes with a number of useful sections and resources, including the latest EU industry regulations and guidance, EU IVD regulatory updates as well as other breaking news stories relating to key medical devices, and access to white papers, webinars, articles, thought leadership content and other features.The app also comes with an Ask an Expert feature which enables users to submit questions to NSF industry gurus, which will be responded to within 48 hours. Elsewhere on the app, users can find information on NSF’s range of IVD and medical device training courses, covering subjects such as quality management, auditing and regulations. Users can also register for these courses directly through the app and access instructor-led virtual classrooms and eLearning facilities.Further information can be found on the NSF International website <a href="https://www.nsf.org/news/nsf-launches-new-ivd-app">here</a>.</div>

Our latest leadership round-up brings news of Beauty Kitchen’s vegan skincare range that is an ideal choice for participants in Veganuary 2021, while Shaikh & Co Chartered Certified Accountants & Registered Auditors have provided a useful explanatory newsletter for businesses closed by the government during the first UK Covid-19 lockdown, after the Supreme Court ruled that insurers should pay out on business interruption claims. Elsewhere, NSF International has announced the launch of its new in vitro diagnostics app.

LEADERSHIP ROUND-UP: Beauty Kitchen promotes skincare range for Veganuary, Shaikh  and  Co provide helpful update for businesses, NSF launches new app

<div class="editor-cover-image" data-dimensions="780:300" data-pmr-editor-image="" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://leaders-council-web.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/store/6d2dd696bd909b9be39249af0d3d3a67.jpg&quot;);"></div>

 <div data-pmr-editable="" class="medium-editor-insert-plugin">With the nation in the grip of another national lockdown, online teaching has resumed in vogue across the country. In recognition of the task teachers have at hand in educating their learners remotely and keeping on top of education provider’s targets and Ofsted requirements, awarding organisation <a href="https://www.ascentis.co.uk/">Ascentis</a> has highlighted six top tips, based on learnings from the previous two lockdowns, to help teachers plan their remote learning strategies and ensure education continues with as little disruption as possible. Support learners’ wellbeingAs the pandemic wears on, Ascentis has urged teachers to be aware that some of their learners may be facing mental health struggles and therefore lose motivation to study. The organisation has therefore recommended that teachers allow for slightly larger gaps in between lessons to allow for short comfort breaks, which will help with concentration and prevent the learner from becoming overwhelmed.In order to support learners by making sure they are aware of how best to look after themselves and maintain a healthy lifestyle, Ascentis has developed a range of fully funded <a href="https://www.ascentis.co.uk/qualifications/soqs">Short Online Qualifications [SOQs]</a> which are compliant with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework and are made to educate learners on topics around mental health, wellbeing, and healthy living.The new SOQs can be completed and assessed remotely via Ascentis’ new e-Invigilation platform, enabling learners to both achieve and boost their sense of self-confidence and self-worth from home.All Ascentis clients have also been given access to a downloadable Mindfulness workbook containing further tips on how to improve mental health, wellbeing and happiness.Encourage learners to read at homeWith research suggesting that keen readers perform better across the curriculum and can boost writing and communication skills as well as self-confidence, Ascentis recommends that teachers encourage learners to read while at home.Resources such as books, magazines and even comic books are recommended to help develop a passion for reading and offer an escape route from the confinements and pressures of living in lockdown.Think outside the boxAscentis has recognised that teachers need to show extra creativity to achieve the levels of engagement and interaction through online lessons as would normally occur in the classroom. This also extends to methods of monitoring pupil progress, with tutors unable to physically watch students work and view it once completed.These challenges are also being found in how to keep learners motivated, particularly those struggling with isolation and lacking motivation. Ascentis, therefore, recommends that teachers look to integrate confidence boosting activities into the online timetable and find ways of teaching that appeal to pupils, making use of alternative learning styles through resources such as comic books, music or poetry to increase engagement.Maximise use of online toolsAs online learning has become more commonplace, the prevalence of online tools to help with delivering remote learning is greater than ever before.Ascentis has recommended a number of these for use, including <a href="https://www.liveworksheets.com/">live worksheets</a>, education technology programme <a href="https://www.socrative.com/">Socrative</a>, online whiteboard function <a href="https://workspace.google.com/products/jamboard/">Jamboard</a>, online learning platform <a href="https://www.blendspace.com/lessons">Blendspace</a>, <a href="https://en-gb.padlet.com/">Padlet</a>, <a href="https://h5p.org/">H5P</a>, and online content generator <a href="https://quizlet.com/en-gb">Quizlet</a>.Ascentis has also made its on-demand webinar <a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9162925696799751950">‘Blended Learning - Tips for Success’ </a>available free of charge. The webinar, presented by the Lakes College’s Kevin Norman explores some of the aforementioned learning platforms and recommends ideas on how to apply online learning resources successfully. Create personal learning experiencesAscentis has been in dialogue with a multitude of teachers during lockdown and many have fed back that online learning becomes a much more personal experience with smaller groups, compared to pupil numbers of classroom size. The organisation has recommended that teachers use online learning opportunities to engage more closely with pupils, get to know them better and look more closely into their additional development outside of the main study core to better understand their needs.Use lockdown to prepare learners for later lifeEarlier lockdowns have shown that there is ample time for teachers to support the development of pupils by encouraging them to learn key skills that will be necessary for life beyond education. Ascentis recommends that teachers look to continue to engage with pupils in this way.Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@comparefibre">Compare Fibre</a> on Unsplash</div>

With the nation in the grip of another national lockdown, online teaching has resumed in vogue across the country. In recognition of the task teachers have at hand in educating their learners remotely and keeping on top of education provider’s targets and Ofsted requirements, awarding organisation Ascentis has highlighted six top tips, based on learnings from the previous two lockdowns, to help teachers plan their remote learning strategies and ensure education continues with as little disruption as possible.

Making remote learning work: Ascentis shares six top tips for teachers supporting learners at home

<div class="editor-cover-image" data-dimensions="780:300" data-pmr-editor-image="" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://leaders-council-web.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/store/6b5a5b2091b699ababda45fc0db620f5.jpg&quot;);"></div>

 <div data-pmr-editable="" class="medium-editor-insert-plugin">In the third of a five part special report, Ahmed Shibli, managing director of <a href="http://www.etd-consulting.com">ETD Consulting</a> sets out his own unique take on the twenty-first century to date and how several disparate events that have shaped our lives over the past twenty years may well be connected.&nbsp; Part ThreeThe 21st century saw the dawn of the digital media over which we had little or no control. Then came along the mobile telephones with the digital and video cameras that cost little and came within the easy reach of everyone. This meant that what happened either at home or in our wars overseas was instantly relayed around the world. Muslim youths, many dispossessed and unemployed around the world, were radicalised by some of the pictures that they saw. The clergy became even more radical than ever before with their own ‘heavenly’ view of world affairs. The mix became really toxic. Warnings that the invasion of Iraq would radicalise the Muslim in the UK were brushed aside, perhaps because we thought that this would all be controllable and only a minor irritant. The digital media took on its own momentum and became a mix of real and fake news. This mix suited some who termed as fake news anything that they did not like or termed all bad actions as the doing of a ‘few bad apples’. The kneeing of George Floyd would have gone un-noticed in the old world but this time the news spread like a wildfire with protests and solidarity marches in the most unlikely of places, such as South Korea. Some in the US establishment were furious and blamed the digital media for spreading the ‘bad’ news. The digital media not only gave rise to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement but spread it equally to the previously unlikely quarters like the sports men and women. The impact of the above toxic mix on various democracies around the world was unbelievable. In the process, and unrealised by our leaders, our own disposed also became radicalised in a different way. Many heads of governments were elected on single popular slogans such as ‘Make America Great Again’, ‘Get Brexit done’. Populist slogans brought about populist leaders. And then came Covid. The populist leaders were not going to bow to Covid that easily. They all put on brave faces, brushed the risks aside and told us to ‘take it on the chin’. <a name="OLE_LINK27"></a><a name="OLE_LINK28">While many South East Asian countries had the experience of SARS and reacted quickly our leaders in the West left it too late. Even the scientific advisers were reluctant to learn from the experience of those countries. So while Vietnam, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and other countries neighbouring China, some with thousands of miles of border with China, stopped all flights and other transport from China right from day 1 and nipped the evil in the bud with deaths that could be counted on the fingers of one, or may be both, hands, we in the West paid a heavy price both in terms of life and ruined economies. The countries with populist right-wing regimes suffered most. The USA, India, UK, Brazil and Israel saw the bulk of deaths. This cannot be a pure coincidence, the common denominator is quite clear to many. </a>While we condemned the digital media which suddenly started showing the ‘other side of the story’ that the established media was sometimes less than enthusiastic to show, it became very popular with those seeking to know the alternative version. Thus, while the UK media covered well the brutal actions of the Hong Kong police, its coverage of the Indian army curfew in Kashmir, the year long lockdown of the masses, large scale arrest of the politicians and brutal treatment of the youth that dared to come out to protest or even to attend weddings or funerals of the loved ones was, and still is, nearly non-existent. It is in this environment of telling the half-truths that the alternative media became popular. Similarly, the new TV media outlets such as Aljazeera and RT became popular alternative sources of storytelling. Our reaction was to blame these sources of media as pure propaganda or ‘fake’ news. Instead of improving the message we sought to shoot the messenger and thus gave more oxygen to the alternative media. <a name="OLE_LINK25"></a><a name="OLE_LINK26">To be continued…</a><a href="https://www.leaderscouncil.co.uk/news/comment-ahmed-shibli-discusses-the-unifying-string-theory-of-the-twenty-first-century-in-an-ongoing-series-2-5">Read part two here.&nbsp;</a><a href="www.leaderscouncil.co.uk/news/comment-ahmed-shibli-discusses-the-unifying-string-theory-of-the-twenty-first-century-in-an-ongoing-series-4-5">Read part four here.&nbsp;</a></div>

In the third of a five part special report, Ahmed Shibli, managing director of ETD Consulting sets out his own unique take on the twenty-first century to date and how several disparate events that have shaped our lives over the past twenty years may well be connected. 

Janan Saher

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COMMENT: Ahmed Shibli discusses the 'unifying string theory' of the twenty-first century in an ongoing series. 4/5.

LEADERSHIP ROUND-UP: Beauty Kitchen promotes skincare range for Veganuary, Shaikh and Co provide helpful update for businesses, NSF launches new app

Making remote learning work: Ascentis shares six top tips for teachers supporting learners at home

COMMENT: Ahmed Shibli discusses the 'unifying string theory' of the twenty-first century in an ongoing series. 3/5.

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