Free Agency Vol.5 π: Countries get rebrands do
Do you know why the Olympics never gets old? Why people all over the world wear I Love NY tees? Why people crash out to take pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower?
Because national identity matters. It's a product and a promise, that people choose to opt into and helps shape how themselves, and how the world sees them.
In order to continuously compete in a global marketplace, countries have to reframe national identity. National identity is one of the biggest exports a country has, especially if they are comparatively small. The story of winning, becomes part of the identity for everyone, forever.
UnitΓ©, Travail, Patriotisme (Unity, Work, Patriotism)
The history of Rwanda is nuanced and complex. But 30 years ago this year, it was ground zero for a horrific genocide. So while an entire generation died, and another had to survive in its wake, the country itself had to rebuild and reimagine itself.