It’s snowing in Amman – a lot. Traffic is almost nonexistent and the Prime Minister has just declared the day “a public holiday”. For all purposes most people have taken the day off anyway. So have I. Couldn’t get the car out this morning and my intention of walking to the embassy was discouraged after 50 meters on an icy sidewalk. I feel sorry – and thankful – for the people that for different reasons just had to get to work this morning. I hope they all arrived safely.
Luckily – I can actually do some of my work from home. So this will be the day were I’ll be launching my blog. I have been considering this step for some time. The challenge to me is to strike the right balance between the official figure – the Ambassador – and the private person – me – in writing this blog. On the other hand walking the tightrope should not discourage anyone in using one of the most interesting new tools of communication – the Blog – whether private or corporate. For those interested I would recommend to read the “about” feature on the blog. When we at the Embassy get the technicalities sorted out, this blog will be co-hosted on the Embassy homepage but until then WordPress will be my home.
One of my primary sources for information about Jordan while I was still living in Denmark was actually the Jordanian blogs. Khalaf, Batir and the Black Iris just to mention a few. Unfortunately the ones that I read are limited to those in English, but I just noticed a study about Jordanian blogs in general and apparently – and naturally in my opinion – the Arabic language blogs in Jordan are thriving and expanding rapidly. This is something to encourage. A large part of freedom of expression is actually the ability to express one self to the dedicated or to the larger audience. Blogs will be one of the driving forces in this.
On a cold snowy day like this it’s hard not to think about heating, fuel prices and energy conservation. I just had a look at my fuel tank and I feel like I am burning most of the Middle East oil reserves in one day. It’s bad for the economy and it is bad for the climate. This is one topic that is very close to my heart and something you will se much more about on this blog. Since early September I have had many discussions with Jordanians and Jordanian officials about this. It’s on everybodys mind. I understand the huge challenge a resource scarce country like Jordan faces. The message to my partners has been quite simple. Look to the Danish experience on energy conservation(pdf). There is a lot to gain from spending energy wisely. Both economically and for the benefit of the climate. But this is just a teaser – I’ll be back! – on the energy issue.
A final word on this my first blog. It is my ambition to blog regularly – work and family permitting – and sometimes they don’t – thank god.
January 31, 2008 at 03:12
Welcome to the blogosphere Ambassador Thomas! And thank you for reading my blog. Yours will definitely be one to watch for!
I think we in the Middle East have a lot to learn with regards to energy management, and especially Jordan, a country that doesn’t have much of it to begin with. Instead of nuclear and oil, I agree we need to look towards the European experience. I especially admire the solar energy being harnessed in Span and Germany.
January 31, 2008 at 13:42
Thank you very much Nas – really appreciated – you’re probably my first (and only
) reader.
Solar is good – and hopefully soon coming of age – the potential in Jordan is just enormous. I was told the other day that a latest generation solar power plant of 5 by 5 kilometer in the desert could provide Jordan with all its electricity needs. Somebody just have to dust the snow off from time to time…!
Thomas L-S