In her artwork, Pickering examines questions of leadership during the COVID-19 global pandemic. “Question of Leadership“, are portraits community leaders, such as Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who speak truth to power. Because the people who deserve public attention are those leading us through this crisis with humility, sacrifice and collaboration.
Education, Empowerment and Equality for Women during Covid-19
How much do you know about the global impact of the pandemic on women and girls? Quiz yourself: https://interactive.unwomen.org/multimedia/explainer/covid19/en/index.html
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. At the end of March, the UN Women’s organization published a gender-based emergency response plan to the Covid-19 pandemic. This document outlines areas of most concern to women during this pandemic. These include; existing inequalities, violence against women, economic impacts, the disproportionate role of women in care and domestic work, lack of gender specific data or gender specific planning in policy creation and lack of women’s input into response planing(1).
In their plan, the UN Women Reduced set out to:
1- reduce infection and transmission rates among women, their households and their wider community.
2- reduce economic impacts on women, particularly for those in vulnerable employment
3- improve response to violence against women and an increased sense of safety
4- increase women’s leadership and voice in the COVID-19 response
Phumzile writes “It is a time for the protection and assertion of rights, a time to listen hard and speak louder, no matter how difficult; to call out the continuing imbalances of power; to band together and take a stand on the changes that must happen so that girls and women are heard and their experiences are taken seriously.” (2)
In order to reach their goals, their efforts focus on 20 countries “with the weakest healthcare and social protection systems and those whose economic systems heavily impacted by countries affected by the crisis (2).” Direct actions include the provision of goods, services and assets to 200 000 women and girls. They also aim to raise awareness for Covid-19 prevention and response to three million more (2).
About Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Phumzile served as the Deputy President of South Africa from 2005-08. During this tenure, she focused much of her energy on programs to address poverty. She has a long career in national politics, which started in 1994 when she was elected as a member of Parliament. This was South Africa’s first democratic Parliament.
Phumzile started her career as a teacher. However, she quickly began working to advocate for youth, education and women’s rights and equality. Prior to her career in politics, she spent over a decade working as an advocate in the private and civil sectors. In 2013, she completed a Doctorate at the University of Warwick. Her research focused on “using mobile technologies to support teacher Development in resource poor nations”(5).
About the Artist Jennifer Pickering
Jennifer Pickering is a contemporary artist from Canada, born in Switzerland and currently based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She teaches Visual Art at Advanced Learning Schools, an International Baccalaureate School. Much of her practice is based in site-specific interventions into public space. Her work explores complex systems of information exchange. Issues of access and denial, of privilege, class and where the power lies are central to her work.
For more artwork by Pickering in this series “A Question of Leadership” visit: http://jen-pickering.com/blog/
References
- https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/news%20and%20events/in%20focus/covid-19/gender-responsive-prevention-management-covid19.pdf?la=en&vs=1519 (March 27, 2020)
- https://www.un.org/africarenewal/web-features/letter-girls-phumzile-mlambo-ngcuka-un-under-secretary-general-and-executive-director
- https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/4/statement-ed-phumzile-violence-against-women-during-pandemic
- https://live.worldbank.org/experts/phumzile-mlambo-ngcuka
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phumzile_Mlambo-Ngcuka
In her artwork, Pickering examines questions of leadership during the COVID-19 global pandemic. “Question of Leadership“, focuses on community leaders, such as Lorraine Whitman, who speak truth to power. Because the people who deserve public attention are those leading us through this crisis with humility, sacrifice and collaboration.
An Indigenous Approach to Health
Lorraine presents an Indigenous understanding of health during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In the Indigenous culture we consider health more than physical. We consider our mental, our emotional and our spiritual just as important to the overall well-being of oneself.” In her video message she explains that our health is intrinsically tied to our culture.
About Lorraine Whitman
Lorraine, “Grandmother White Sea Turtle”, is from the Glooscap First Nation in Nova Scotia. She is the daughter of the late Chief Joseph Peters and Doris (Brooks) Peters and granddaughter of the late Chief Louis Peters of Bear River (1).
Lorraine’s career includes 23 years as social development officer for the Glooscap First Nation. In Glooscap she served as elected councillor from 1997–2012. Her experience includes fifteen years on the Board of Directors of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq. She also served as health committee member for the Tripartite Forum for ten years. In 2017 she was elected president of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association. Recently, in September 2019, she was elected president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC). NWAC is “founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women” (1).
References
- https://www.nwac.ca/ (11/05/20)
- https://youtu.be/ysJUecxTSO4 (11/05/20)
- https://www.nwac.ca/presidents-corner/ (11/05/20)
- https://www.fnha.ca/wellness/wellness-and-the-first-nations-health-authority/first-nations-perspective-on-wellness (11/05/20)
About the Artist Jennifer Pickering
Jennifer Pickering is a contemporary artist from Canada, born in Switzerland and currently based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She teaches Visual Art at Advanced Learning Schools, an International Baccalaureate School. Much of her practice is based in site-specific interventions into public space. Her work explores complex systems of information exchange. Issues of access and denial, of privilege, class and where the power lies are central to her work.
For more artwork by Pickering in this series “A Question of Leadership” visit: http://jen-pickering.com/blog/
A Question of Leadership
In her artwork, Pickering examines questions of leadership during the COVID-19 global pandemic. “Question of Leadership“, focuses on community leaders, such as Angela Merkel, who speak truth to power. Because the people who deserve public attention are those leading us through this crisis with humility, sacrifice and collaboration.
Humility and intelligence in COVID-19 leadership
Angela Merkel has served as the Chancellor of Germany since 2005. Under her leadership, Germans have avoided the tragically high loss of life to Covid-19. Such as that experienced in Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom (9).
German political scientist, Gero Neugebauer, attributes Angela’s success to her professional background in science. “She is more cautious … basing her response on her knowledge of how science works,” (8). Angela earned a PHD in quantum chemistry in 1986 and worked as a research scientist up until 1989.
Angela rarely gives speeches. Her first nationally televised address in 15 years as Chancellor was given in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. According to Carnegie Europe, this unique speech emphasized the challenge of a democratic nation during this crisis to “weigh security and restrictions against transparency and truth”(11)
“Let me assure you: for someone like myself, for whom freedom of travel and movement were hard-won rights, such restrictions can only be justified when they are absolutely necessary. In a democracy, they should not be enacted lightly – and only ever temporarily. But at the moment they are essential — in order to save human lives.” – Angela Merkel (11)
About Angela Merkel
Angela was born in West Berlin in 1954, but moved with her family to the East at three months of age. The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 is described as the “catalyst for Merkel’s political career”(1). When voted leader of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany in 2000, she became the first ever female leader of a German political party.
During her time as Chancellor she faced many challenges including; a refugee crisis, health care reform and planning for energy development. She is celebrated for “crusading against anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe” and allowing a million Syrian refugees into Germany (3)(4). In health care she passed health care reform, including setting limits on the amount pharmaceutical firms can charge for prescription drugs (7). Finally, following the Japanese Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, her government committed to “phase out nuclear power by 2020 (5).”
She has been senior G7 leader from 2011-12 and again in 2014 until the present day. She is also credited with playing a “crucial role”(1), during the 2008 financial crisis both within Europe and Internationally. In 2018 and 2019, Angela was voted “the most powerful woman in the world” by Forbes.
About the Artist Jennifer Pickering
Jennifer Pickering is a contemporary artist from Canada, born in Switzerland and currently based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She teaches Visual Art at Advanced Learning Schools, an International Baccalaureate School. Much of her practice is based in site-specific interventions into public space. Her work explores complex systems of information exchange. Issues of access and denial, of privilege, class and where the power lies are central to her work.
For more artwork by Pickering in this series “A Question of Leadership” visit: http://jen-pickering.com/blog/
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merkel (May 4, 2020)
- https://www.forbes.com/profile/angela-merkel/#3ef7761222dd (
- https://www.forbes.com/power-women/#103033385e25 (Dec. 12,2019)
- https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/forbes-worlds-most-powerful-women-list-angela-merkel-nancy-pelosi-greta-thunberg-2019-a9243541.html (Dec. 12. 2019)
- https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/world/europe/13iht-germany.html (Aug. 13. 2011)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_Daiichi_nuclear_disaster (May 9, 2020)
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-healthcare-reform/germany-passes-unpopular-healthcare-reform-idUSTRE6AB3TL20101112 (Nov. 3, 2010)
- https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/07/europe/angela-merkel-coronavirus-legacy-grm-intl/index.html
- https://covid19.who.int/ (May 9, 2020)
- https://www.dw.com/en/merkel-coronavirus-is-germanys-greatest-challenge-since-world-war-ii/a-52830797 (March 18, 2020)
- https://carnegieeurope.eu/2020/03/24/why-merkel-s-coronavirus-address-matters-pub-81357
- https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/04/world/europe/germany-coronavirus-death-rate.html
In her artwork, Pickering examines questions of leadership during the COVID-19 global pandemic. “Question of Leadership“, focuses on community leaders, such as Tsai Ing-wen who speak truth to power. Because the people who deserve public attention are those leading us through this crisis with humility, sacrifice and collaboration.
About Tsai Ing-wen
In 2016 Tsai Ing-wen became the first female president of Taiwan. She represents the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), with a platform to support human rights. For example, in 2019, under Tsai, Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize gay marriage.
Tsai received her masters from Cornell University Law School in 1980. In 1984 she went on to graduate with a doctorate from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She started her career as a negotiator for Taiwan’s participation with the World Trade Organization. After she served on the National Security Council. She was promoted to the role of Chairwoman after joining the DPP in 2004.
A Collective Effort
Tsai writes, “Global crises test the fabric of the inter-national community, stretching us at the seams and threatening to tear us apart. Now more than ever, every link in this global network must be accounted for. We must set aside our differences and work together for the benefit of humankind. The fight against COVID-19 will require the collective efforts of people around the world.”(1)
Under her leadership, Taiwan reacted quickly and efficiently to the threat posed by the Covid-19 virus. As early as January, the government formed a Central Epidemic Command Center. They monitored visitors from Wuhan, established travel restrictions and quarantine regulations. They traced and tracked contacts starting with their first case on January 21st. To ensure adequate supply of PPE, the Ministry of Economic Affairs Coordinated with private sector machine-tool and medical supply companies. They were able to produce enough masks for front line workers as well as citizens. Through private and public cooperation, they also oversaw the distribution of masks. They were so successful that Taiwan has been donating supplies to countries in need. Taiwan, a country of 23.78 million, has had only 432 cases and 6 deaths to date.
Taiwan has been donating masks to countries in need including the US, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and the U.K. For example, masks from Taiwan arrived in Canada earlier this week. The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to providing masks for medical workers, also allocated a portion of masks for Canada’s Indigenous communities.
About the Artist Jennifer Pickering
Jennifer Pickering is a contemporary artist from Canada, born in Switzerland and currently based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She teaches Visual Art at Advanced Learning Schools, an International Baccalaureate School. Much of her practice is based in site-specific interventions into public space. Her work explores complex systems of information exchange. Issues of access and denial, of privilege, class and where the power lies are central to her work.
For more artwork by Pickering in this series “A Question of Leadership” visit: http://jen-pickering.com/blog/
References
- https://time.com/collection/finding-hope-coronavirus-pandemic/5820596/taiwan-coronavirus-lessons/ (April 16, 2020)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsai_Ing-wen (May 2, 2020)
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16464515 (Jan 11, 2020)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Progressive_Party (May 2, 2020)
- https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/how-taiwan-is-helping-canada-fight-covid-19-1.4918497 (April 30, 2020)
- https://abcnews.go.com/Health/taiwan-donate-10-million-masks-countries-hit-hardest/story?id=69918187 (April 2, 2020)
In her artwork, Pickering examines questions of leadership during the COVID-19 health crisis. “Question of Leadership“, focuses on community leaders such as Brittany Kaiser who speak truth to power. Because the people who deserve public attention are those leading us through this crisis with humility, sacrifice and collaboration.
Personal Privacy in the Era of Covid-19
New technologies are providing important tools towards controlling the spread of covid-19. For example, in many countries a tracking app can tell if you’ve been within 1.5 meters of other users. These apps are already being used in over thirteen different countries. In addition, the World Health Organization is developing their own global application.
Tracking software is being released by both governments and private corporations. However, the use of such software in democratic countries raises concern over the protection of personal privacy. On April 20th, the Globe and Mail published an article addressing this issue.(1) Their investigation focused on an Australian covid-19 tracing application. The success of the app is being credited by government for allowing them to lift lock down conditions. The article outlines concerns raised by privacy experts over the app’s centralized nature. Other issues also include overlaps with existing government surveillance laws. Yet perhaps of most concern is government failure to release the source code as promised to create transparency.
Brittany Kaiser
Brittany Kaiser is someone who can offer expertise and advice when it comes to the abuse of data and personal privacy. She is the former Director of business development for the parent company of Cambridge Analytica. The company, “offer(ed) services to businesses and political parties who want to “change audience behaviour”.(2) To this end, the company built a software program designed to “predict and influence choices at the ballot box”.(2) Thanks to whistleblowers and testimony provided by Brittany, we now know the company used illegal data in their program. Specifically, data accumulated from 87 million Facebook users.
In 2019, Brittany was appointed to the advisory board of Phunware. This company collects location and voter data to be used in the 2020 Trump campaign. According to Brittany, “it’s so abundantly clear our electoral systems are wide open to abuse. I’m very fearful about what is going to happen in the US election later this year, and I think one of the few ways of protecting ourselves is to get as much information out there as possible.” (3)
Wide Open Abuses
Why should we be concerned about using a tracing app? As Brittany warns, the current collection of data is, “wide open to abuse”.(3) This misuse of big data makes clear the lack of protections required to shield individual freedoms. Of special concern, is that this monetized practice is being used for purposes of social manipulation. As experts like Brittany warn, there is a large-scale practice, “way beyond what people think.”(3) Taking a cue from Australia, we can start by ensuring that tracking applications publish their source codes before we install them.
About the Artist Jennifer Pickering
Jennifer Pickering is a contemporary artist from Canada, born in Switzerland and currently based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She teaches Visual Art at Advanced Learning Schools, an International Baccalaureate School. Much of her practice is based in site-specific interventions into public space. Her work explores complex systems of information exchange. Issues of access and denial, of privilege, class and where the power lies are central to her work.
For more artwork by Pickering in this series “A Question of Leadership” visit: http://jen-pickering.com/blog/
References
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/20/privacy-concerns-persist-over-australias-coronavirus-tracing-app
- https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/18/what-is-cambridge-analytica-firm-at-centre-of-facebook-data-breach
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/04/cambridge-analytica-data-leak-global-election-manipulation
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany_Kaiser
- https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52395886
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_apps#Countries_with_official_contact_tracing_apps
- https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/can-europe-make-it/how-data-mining-companies-are-set-gain-covid-19-pandemic/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/08/02/brittany-kaisers-work-with-cambridge-analytica-helped-elect-donald-trump-shes-hoping-world-will-forgive-her/
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-the-privacy-issues-of-letting-big-tech-tackle-the-pandemic/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-covid-19-tracking-app-2020-4
In her artwork, Pickering examines questions of leadership during the COVID-19 health crisis. As part of a larger body of artwork, “Questions of Leadership“, focuses on community leaders such as Dr. Viz, who speak truth to power. Because the people who deserve public attention are those leading us through this crisis with humility, sacrifice and collaboration.
One Woman Not Alone
On April 20th, 2020, Doctor Meenal Viz staged a one woman protest at the gates of Downing Street. One woman standing on her own, certainly not alone in her criticism of the UK governments’ handing of the COVID 19 pandemic. Specifically over failing to provide adequate protective personal equipment and testing to health care workers.
Through her actions, Dr. Viz reminds us that one individual can make a difference. For women and men like her, communities applaud loudly from their balconies every night. However, many have begun to question the narrative of war and heroism being used to describe the role of doctors, nurses, paramedics and care home workers. That is to say, a narrative which serves to support the normalization of people having to sacrifice their safety in the name of their country. Their voices silenced, a nation of health care workers demand, through the protest of one doctor, that their government listen and respond. Continue to applaud, yet do not stop at that. To be clear, this is a call to action. Because, just like Dr. Viz, we must all stand alone together, to protect those most vulnerable in our communities.
“I wanted to show the government, show the public, that this is not OK” stated Dr. Viz. (1)
Dr. Viz, herself pregnant, felt she has no choice but to take a stand. This after pregnant nurse Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong died of COVID 19. Nurse Agyapong’s daughter survived.
About the Artist Jennifer Pickering
Jennifer Pickering is a contemporary artist from Canada, born in Switzerland and currently based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She teaches Visual Art at Advanced Learning Schools, an International Baccalaureate School. Much of her practice is based in site-specific interventions into public space. Her work explores complex systems of information exchange. Issues of access and denial, of privilege, class and where the power lies are central to her work.
For more artwork by Pickering in this series “A Question of Leadership” visit: http://jen-pickering.com/blog/
References
- https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/20/coronavirus-doctor-ppe-protest-downing-street-london
- https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/doctor-takes-ppe-protest-to-downing-street-zc6s6wl09
“We have stopped a wave of devastation”.
Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand Prime Minister
Why did it seem so logical to some of our leaders to follow the WHO recommendations but not for others? Act early, test, test, test, trace.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/jacinda-ardern (April 20, 2020)
A Question of Leadership
“Saying sorry only counts for something if you change your behaviour.”
-Ursula von der Leyen
Changing our behaviour is something we often fail at. I must believe that the crisis we face
can be overcome through sacrifice, collaboration and humility.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/apr/16/coronavirus-eu-offers-italy-heartfelt-apology-over-response-video (April 16, 2020)