Zindabad!: Supporting Education Leaders From Accra to Taipei

This travel memoir narrates 14 journeys in the capacity of a visiting education expert, spanning eight countries in four continents. The story combines personal and professional concerns; it is told lightly, in a conversational tone, intended to be informative, entertaining and thought-provoking for a broad range of readers of travel books throughout the English-speaking world.

The narrator, Raphael, meets colleagues Ian and Carol, and sets off for Lahore. In the steamy, dengue-infested monsoon they advise on teacher licensing, amid a muddle of different agencies and agendas. Then in Karachi he supports a locally organised conference, a regular event he helped to establish. Raphael explains a long project to help a number of Indian states to develop 'global good practice', and narrates a visit to Gujerat, where Modi's leadership is evident, with colleagues as part of that. He returns to Karachi for the next conference in the series, this time with colleague Eleanore, and then to Lahore for more work on teacher licensing, with Chris. They attend the Wagha border ceremony, meet tigers and buy rugs.

The Indian project culminates in a conference in Delhi, which Raphael attends with colleagues. He goes to Stockholm with Joyce to support a project on school leadership. Next Raphael describes visiting Cartagena in Colombia, to speak at a conference and to enjoy tourist attractions. He and Joyce teach a course in Islamabad for a bullying tycoon, and marvel at the city's style and culture. Raphael speaks at a conference in Lagos and enjoys meeting an old friend. He speaks in Taipei and learns about the culture and history of Taiwan. Raphael and Joyce teach a short course in Accra and are immersed in its life and character. He returns to Lahore with Eleanore for the last conference in the series, and takes a long farewell of that city. Finally Raphael and colleague Edward teach a short course for the dictatorial regime in Astana, Kazakhstan.

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