The Global Village Is Here and
Has Lifted Many from Poverty
By Susan Dollenmaier

I was surprised to realize that I was leaving Paris for Dubai on the morning of September 11.

The TV in the Air Emirates lounge was tuned to the ceremonies in NYC and everyone was watching. I was the only American.

Then I boarded and was handed a Dubai newspaper with more than one editorial opining our bungling of Iraq and Pakistan and, now, Iran. Our government is depicted as trampling over everyone and ignoring generally accepted protocol in pursuit of its own agenda.

All of this could be terribly depressing if I didn’t believe that we have to bottom out in order to improve.

Traveling as much as I have in the past few years has made me hyper-aware of how much the material quality of life has improved globally for so many people. In addition, one does not experience the culture gulf that existed not too many years ago.

The world is looking more and more like the U.S. everywhere. More and more people speak English, wear Nikes and eat hamburgers (not necessarily a good thing). However, there are now 6.5 billion people on the Earth and billions are malnourished.

Even though we have had this remarkably crude and greedy administration for the past 6 and half years, America remains fascinating to other cultures because of what we represent: a multicultural/multiracial young country which managed to become the most powerful country in the world in less than 300 years. 

We (Americans) invented modern entrepreneurialism: the concept that an individual can take an idea and work hard enough to turn it into a viable business. Today that idea is being lived out globally.

My business trip to Paris included the Maison Objet trade show. This international trade exposition is full of creative people from all over the world bringing their new ideas of design to that forum. It is always inspirational to see something REALLY new and beautiful. And there are more women bringing their ideas into the marketplace. For that I am also very grateful.

Capitalism is a wonderful thing if it is balanced with compassion and humanity. Without these, it becomes a greed driven monster which amasses wealth for its own sake. Every scripture in every spiritual tradition warns against this. Great nations and cultures have been ruined by it.

As individuals we must live by our own guiding principles and make a contribution in this way.  Many of us already participate with organizations and groups doing good things in the world. This work is hugely important and at the core of overcoming our nation’s and our own self-centeredness. We share not only materially but also on the human level.  

I look forward to continuing Anichini’s relationships with philanthropic organizations such as the Sustainability Institute and the Women to Women program. It is more important than ever to set an example for other businesses.

I also am hopeful that our next administration will lead us back to where we were six years ago after September 11. The entire world set aside grievances and animosities. Nations reached out to us, offering to serve in any way they could. The world was reminded of our shared humanity and connectedness through the immensity of the tragedy. The experience of sustained compassion must be maintained if the U.S. and the world is to become healthier and happier.

The global village IS here.

Susan Dollenmaier is the founder and CEO of Anichini, Inc., of Tunbridge, which imports fine fabrics and contract with fine hotels around the world to provide bedding, linens, and other amenities.