By Jenny Fujita and Joy Miura Koerte, Fujita & Miura Public Relations
It
is ironic that the summer Olympics in Athens, Greece are underway in the midst
of the war in Iraq. In one instance talented athletes from all around the world
have traveled from afar to compete in the Olympic Games while our brave soldiers
of the 299th battalion, and thousands of others just like them, have been deployed
to Iraq to fight a war. This irony emphasizes the importance of peace not only
abroad, but also in our own backyards, and thus illustrates a PR basic.
Gianna
Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, President of the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee for
the Olympic Games, said in the 2004 issue of Global Agenda Magazine, "If
we want a demonstration of peaceful competition and human interaction…then
we should look no further than the Olympic ideals. Since ancient times, peaceful
competition on the athletic and sporting field has served as a useful metaphor
for how human interaction ought to work in other spheres - from business to politics."
Well said.
The
Olympics are steeped with history, philosophy and symbolism that not only countries,
but also counties, businesses, even families can model. According to the 108-page
Olympic Charter, the goal of the Olympic Movement is "to contribute to building
a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without
discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding
with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." Sounds like PR 101.
In
wartime or when relationships are stressed, a truce comes in handy. The tradition
of the Olympic Truce dates back to the 9th century BC, in Ancient Greece when
during the Truce period, the athletes and their families, as well as ordinary
citizens, could travel in total safety to participate in or attend the Olympic
Games and return afterwards to their respective countries. According to the official
website of the Olympic Movement, "Taking into account the global political
reality in which sport and the Olympic Games exist, the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) decided to revive the ancient concept of the Olympic Truce …Through
this global and symbolic concept, the IOC aims to raise awareness and encourage
political leaders to act in favor of peace; mobilize youth for the promotion of
the Olympic ideals; establish contacts between communities in conflict; offer
humanitarian support in countries at war; and more generally to create a window
of opportunities for dialogue, reconciliation and the resolution of conflicts."
Can't argue with that.
The
lesson on the small-scale is that when conflicts arise in business, it can serve
us well to step back (or forward) and play another game, one with clear rules,
impartial judges, and awards for excelling. In the process of playing the game
well and fairly, peace could be the result. And ultimately, peace is the basis
for all good relationships, and all good PR.
