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Jacinta Ardern is the youngest and third female to become the Prime minister of New Zealand. She is a firm believer that too much focus on power and strength can make  leaders lose sight of the need for kindness.

While speaking with Guardian, she explained that her decision to go into politics came with the desire of wanting to change the world.

“In fact, if anything, I thought it looked like a very hard life. It was because I was one of those young people that thought I’d like to change the world, even if it was in the smallest of ways, it just felt like I was doing something that would make a difference.

She defied the odds “I’m a New Zealander and we are naturally quite a self-deprecating people, and part, if I’m honest, it’s probably because I’m also a woman who looks more quickly at my deficits; the things that I’m not good at, rather than what I am. But either way, I never would have imagined as a child that I would end up doing a role like this, because I grew up in a very small town, and there are 120 MPs (members of parliament) in New Zealand. How could I possibly imagine being one of them?.” 

Speaking on what gave her the confidence to suddenly step forward, despite her seemingly low experience and young age, she added,

“You know it’s one thing to not be able to necessarily imagine yourself in that position, but when you’re there you’re just actually thinking, “Right, there’s no time for me to second-guess myself now, people don’t need to hear me question anything right now, they just need to know, and hear me say, ‘I can’.” And so, in that moment, I absolutely knew I could and so it was just a matter of going out there and showing that.”

Front cover of the book I know this to be true, by Jacinda Ardern
Front cover of the book I know this to be true, by Jacinda Ardern.

The qualities that have underpinned her path to this leadership role, include kindness,

“And not being afraid to be kind, or to focus on, or be really driven by empathy. I think one of the sad things that I’ve seen in political leadership is – because we’ve placed over time so much emphasis on notions of assertiveness and strength – that we probably have assumed that it means you can’t have those other qualities of kindness and empathy.

“We need our leaders to be able to empathise with the circumstances of others; to empathise with the next generation that we’re making decisions on behalf of. And if we focus only on being seen to be the strongest, most powerful person in the room, then I think we lose what we’re meant to be here for. So I’m proudly focused on empathy, because you can be both empathetic and strong,” she said.

Jacinta Ardern is a leader with genuine positive efforts that are plainly visible, she is someone we can all learn from.

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New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has been praised as a true leader for the way she has so far reacted following the Christchurch mosque shootings.

The terrorist who opened fire on two mosques in New Zealand killed 51 people and left many fighting for their lives.

Following the terror attack by a white supremacist, Jacinda Ardern stepped into her position as a leader and not only condemned the attack but offered consolation to the families of the victims and even visited Christchurch Muslims.

 

"She has reacted like a true leader" Jacinda Ardern receives international praise for how she handled the New Zealand mosque shooting (videos/photos)

 

She also vowed never to speak the name of the Christchurch gunman and said the person responsible would face the “full force of the law”.

In an impassioned speech to the country’s parliament, Ms Ardern implored others “to speak the names of those who are lost, rather than the name of the man who took them”.

She added:

 

He sought many things from his act of terror but one was notoriety. That is why you will never hear me mention his name.

 

 

Ms Ardern has received international praise for her reaction to the incident. She’s been praised for her resolve and compassion.

 

 

"She has reacted like a true leader" Jacinda Ardern receives international praise for how she handled the New Zealand mosque shooting (videos/photos)

 

“A day after the attack, Ardern led a multi-party group to visit grieving families and Muslim community members,” John Mair and Praveen Menon wrote.

“Wearing a black head scarf, she hugged relatives and let them set the pace and agenda as she listened and offered comfort.”

Journalist John Flint said Jacinda Ardern, 38, was a “pillar of strength”.

He wrote: “Whether it was at her media conference in the immediate aftermath of the Christchurch mosque massacre on Friday or comforting the devastated Muslim community in the shaken city yesterday, the 38-year-old leader has displayed the right balance of strength and compassion in the aftermath of the atrocity that killed 49 and injured 39 more”.

 

"She has reacted like a true leader" Jacinda Ardern receives international praise for how she handled the New Zealand mosque shooting (videos/photos)

 

Chris Urqhart said Ms Ardern is the kind of leader Australia desperately needs.

He wrote: “Where other leaders have baulked at immediately showing their hand, offering only epithets, or thoughts and prayers, she had resolve. Where others might fear the political consequences of acting, she feared the human consequences of failing to act.”

People also took to different social media platforms to praise the New Zealand Prime Minister.

US Senate candidate Qasim Rashid tweeted: “What a powerful example of compassion and leadership. May she & her nation prosper in love & peace.

 

"She has reacted like a true leader" Jacinda Ardern receives international praise for how she handled the New Zealand mosque shooting (videos/photos)

 

Australian TV host Osher Gunsberg also compared Ms Ardern to local politicians.

“Australia has an election in a few months. Please, please give us someone like Jacinda Ardern to vote for. Please.” he wrote.

 

"She has reacted like a true leader" Jacinda Ardern receives international praise for how she handled the New Zealand mosque shooting (videos/photos)

 

Belgian-Egyptian journalist Khaled Diab wanted NZ to export Ms Ardern’s compassion to other countries.

“Too bad that leaders cannot be imported. Jacinda Ardern is sorely needed in other parts of the world. New Zealand should consider lending her out,” he wrote.

 

"She has reacted like a true leader" Jacinda Ardern receives international praise for how she handled the New Zealand mosque shooting (videos/photos)

 

Videos below.

 

 

 

Credit: LIB

On Monday 24th of September 2018, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made her debut speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

She was accompanied by her 3-month old daughter Neve Te Aroha and her partner Clarke Gayford. The Prime Minister’s recent appearance makes her the first world leader to bring an infant to the UNGA.

During the six-day stay in New York, Ardern’s partner who put his job on hold to be a stay-at-home dad, will be Neve’s primary carer.

Watch video:

 

 

Credit: Bella Naija