2024 religious freedom report recommends U.S. designate Nigeria, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, India as ‘Countries of Particular Concern’
SCIRF Releases 2024 Annual Report with New Recommendations for U.S. Policy
Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released its 2024 Annual Report, which documents developments during 2023. USCIRF’s 2024 Annual Report provides recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion of freedom of religion or belief abroad. This year’s report commemorates the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). This landmark law made promoting the guaranteed right to freedom of religion or belief a priority in U.S. foreign policy.
Sultan of Sokoto and PM Narendra Modi
“Twenty-five years after IRFA’s passage, many individuals and communities around the world still cannot freely practice their religion or belief. USCIRF is disheartened by the deteriorating conditions in many countries as highlighted in the Annual Report. It is vital that the President, Secretary of State, and Congress implement the recommendations in this year’s report,” USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper said. “While 25 years has passed since USCIRF was created, it is more important now than ever to ensure that promoting freedom of religion or belief remains a key tenet of U.S. foreign policy. USCIRF’s independence and bipartisanship enables it to unflinchingly identify threats to religious freedom abroad, and despite there being dissent on certain issues included in the Annual Report, Commissioners remain committed to advancing religious freedom for all.”
In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommends 17 countries to the U.S. Department of State for designation as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) based on their governments engaging in or tolerating particularly severe violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief. These include 12 that the State Department designated as CPCs in December 2023: Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan—as well as five additional recommendations: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Nigeria, and Vietnam.
The 2024 Annual Report also recommends 11 countries for placement on the State Department’s Special Watch List (SWL) based on their governments’ perpetration or toleration of severe violations of religious freedom. These include one that the State Department placed on that list in December 2023: Algeria—as well as 10 additional recommendations: Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. While the State Department included Vietnam on its SWL in December 2023, USCIRF believes the government of Vietnam’s violations rise to the level of CPC status. Additionally, USCIRF recommends the State Department add Kyrgyzstan to the SWL for the first time due to the Kyrgyz government’s heightened religious repression in 2023.
USCIRF further recommends to the State Department seven non-state actors for redesignation as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs) for particularly severe religious freedom violations. The State Department designated all seven of these groups as EPCs in December 2023: al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Houthis, Islamic State Sahel Province (IS Sahel), Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) (also referred to as ISIS-West Africa), and Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM).
“Throughout 2023, the U.S. government regularly condemned abuses of religious freedom, imposed targeted sanctions on perpetrators, and advocated for the release of those imprisoned for the peaceful exercise of their religion or belief.” USCIRF Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie said. “We are encouraged by the Biden administration’s and Congress’ support for many initiatives related to international religious freedom. However, the U.S. government can further enhance efforts regarding religious freedom by implementing all of the recommendations in our 2024 Annual Report, and raising the names of victims persecuted for their faith each time the U.S. government engages with foreign governments.”
In addition to country chapters with key findings and U.S. policy recommendations, the 2024 Annual Report describes and assesses U.S. international religious freedom policy overall. The report also highlights important global developments and trends related to religious freedom during 2023, including in countries that do not meet the criteria for CPC or SWL. These include transnational repression by religious freedom violators, laws restricting religious freedom, attacks against religious sites in armed conflict, risks to religious minorities during elections, rising of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, religious freedom concerns in Europe, and religious freedom issues for refugees.
The report also highlights key USCIRF recommendations that the U.S. government implemented from USCIRF’s 2023 Annual Report—including adding Azerbaijan to the State Department’s SWL, imposing targeted sanctions on religious freedom violators, and advocating for religious prisoners of conscience, such as those included in USCIRF’s Frank R. Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List.
Ofe Nsala or White Soup is a traditional Nigerian delicacy originating from the Igbo ethnic group. This aromatic and flavorful soup is typically prepared with a combination of assorted meats, fish, and traditional spices, creating a rich and satisfying dish that is enjoyed across Nigeria and beyond.
Nutritional Benefits of Ofe Nsala Soup
Protein
Ofe Nsala soup contains a variety of protein sources, including assorted meats such as goat meat, chicken, beef, and fish.
Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair, as well as overall body function.
Consuming adequate protein helps support satiety, which may aid in weight management by promoting feelings of fullness.
Healthy Fats
Palm nut extract or palm oil, commonly used in Ofe Nsala soup, provides healthy fats that are important for brain health, hormone production, and nutrient absorption.
These fats also contain vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.
Vitamins and Minerals
Assorted meats and fish in Ofe Nsala soup are rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Iron is important for the formation of red blood cells and oxygen transport in the body, while zinc supports immune function and wound healing.
Vitamin B12 is crucial for nerve function and DNA synthesis, and omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and promote heart health.
Fibre
Some variations of Ofe Nsala soup may include vegetables such as utazi leaves, which provide dietary fibre.
Fiber is important for digestive health, as it helps promote regular bowel movements and prevents constipation.
Additionally, fibre can help regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Antioxidants
Certain spices and herbs used in Ofe Nsala soup, such as uziza seeds and utazi leaves, contain antioxidants that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Antioxidants have been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Hydration
Ofe Nsala soup is typically prepared with water as the base, providing hydration to the body.
Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining proper bodily functions, including temperature regulation, nutrient transport, and waste elimination.
Ingredients
White soup
Assorted Meats: Common choices include goat meat, chicken, beef, or assorted offals such as tripe or cow feet.
Fish: Fresh fish such as catfish or tilapia are often used in Ofe Nsala soup, adding depth of flavour and texture.
Spices: Traditional spices such as uziza seeds, utazi leaves, and ehuru (African nutmeg) are essential for flavouring the soup.
Stockfish: Dried stockfish adds a unique flavour and richness to the soup.
Seasonings: Onions, garlic, ginger, and crayfish are commonly used to enhance the flavour of Ofensala soup.
Palm Nut Extract: Palm nut extract or palm oil is used to give the soup its characteristic creamy texture and colour.
Pepper: Fresh or dried peppers such as habanero or scotch bonnet peppers are added for heat and spiciness.
Preparation
Prepare the Meats and Fish: Clean and cut the assorted meats and fish into bite-sized pieces. If using dried stockfish, soak it in water overnight to soften.
Prepare the Spices: Grind the uziza seeds, utazi leaves, and ehuru (African nutmeg) into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.
Cooking the Soup: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the assorted meats and fish. Simmer until the meats are tender and cooked through.
Add the Spices: Stir in the ground spices (uziza, utazi, and ehuru), chopped onions, garlic, ginger, and crayfish. Allow the flavours to meld together.
Add Palm Nut Extract: Pour in the palm nut extract or palm oil, stirring well to incorporate. Adjust the consistency of the soup by adding more water if needed.
Season to Taste: Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed.
Simmer and Serve: Allow the soup to simmer over low heat for an additional 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavours to develop. Serve hot with fufu, pounded yam, or rice.
Cultural Significance
Ofe Nsala soup holds cultural significance in Nigerian cuisine, particularly among the Igbo ethnic group. It is often served during special occasions and festive celebrations, such as weddings, festivals, and cultural ceremonies.
The rich and aromatic flavours of Ofe Nsala soup symbolize hospitality, togetherness, and community, making it a beloved dish that brings people together to share in the joys of food and fellowship.
Conclusion
Ofe Nsala soup, with its tantalizing blend of meats, fish, spices, and traditional flavours, is a cherished delicacy in Nigerian cuisine. Its preparation requires time, skill, and attention to detail, resulting in a dish that is rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.
Whether enjoyed during special occasions or as a comforting meal at home, Ofe Nsala soup represents the rich cultural heritage and culinary traditions of Nigeria, captivating the senses and bringing people together through the shared experience of food and culture.
Experts want you to stop sleeping in this position — it’s the worst
Sleep is an integral part of our lives, and its quality has a direct impact on our well-being and ability to function.
This sleeping position has a disastrous effect on almost all sections of the spine
It is comfortable, but it does not have a good effect on our body. And although many people instinctively go to sleep this way, experts warn that this is the worst position.
It puts a lot of strain on the spine, practically at every section, has a negative impact on the respiratory system and digestion, and even accelerates aging.
Sleep is an integral part of our lives, and its quality has a direct impact on our well-being and ability to function. Not only the time of night’s rest is important, but also the position of our body.
We change positions on average 20 times during sleep, but everyone has their favourite position, which they adopt most often. It is not always conducive to maintaining health and beauty.
Is there an optimal sleeping position? The answer to these questions is not clear and depends on many factors, such as age, weight, environment, physical activity, pregnancy, and health condition.
For example, sleeping on the right side can be unhealthy for people with stomach problems because it can lead to acid reflux. On the other hand, sleeping on your left side can make breathing difficult, especially for people suffering from sleep apnea. Likewise on the back it can lead to breathing difficulties, snoring and sleep apnea.
Don’t sleep on your stomach
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Sleeping on your stomach burdens the respiratory system and presses internal organs
In addition, it burdens the respiratory system and presses internal organs, including the stomach, which may lead to heartburn. In addition, pressure on the face accelerates the skin aging process, causing wrinkles to appear more quickly.
The so-called fetal position, when we lie on our side with our legs curled up, can lead to tension and pain in the spine because both the neck and back are under a lot of tension.
Moreover, sleeping on your right side in this position may cause problems with the functioning of various organs, such as the heart, stomach and pancreas.
Our bodies speak volumes, even when our lips are sealed.
Body language includes different types of nonverbal indicators
We all speak two languages: one with words, and another with our bodies.
This second language, the language of body language, can reveal a lot about our emotions, thoughts, and intentions we might not say out loud.
Understanding these body signals can help you decipher what people are really thinking and feeling, even before they say a word.
1. Hand rubbing: When someone rubs their hands together, it signals nervousness, anxiety, or anticipation.
2. Rapid blinking: Blinking more than usual might indicate discomfort or stress.
3. Dilated pupils: Linked to interest, excitement, or attraction.
4. Sustained eye contact: Can show engagement, confidence, or even a challenge, depending on the context.
5. Avoiding eye contact: This signals shyness, discomfort, or even guilt. It can also be a sign of submission or a lack of confidence in that situation.
6. Nodding: Slow, steady nodding shows agreement and understanding. Rapid, jerky nods might indicate anxiety or excitement.
7. Crossed arms: This can be a defensive posture, indicating disagreement, disapproval, or even a closed-off attitude.
8. Open palms facing up: This is seen as a gesture of trust, honesty, and openness.
9. Mirroring movements: Mirroring, where someone mimics your movements, is a strong signal of rapport and connection. It indicates that the person is comfortable and aligned with your energy.
10. Fidgeting or playing with hair: This signals nervousness, boredom, or even excitement.
11. Steepling fingers: Can indicate confidence, authority, or even critical thinking.
12. Ankle crossing: Sometimes a sign of relaxation, but it can also indicate nervousness or boredom.
13. Pointing the foot towards someone: This could signify interest, attraction, or even possessiveness. If their feet point away from you, it may suggest a desire to leave or disengage from the conversation.
14. Spreading legs while sitting: This is interpreted as confidence or dominance, but can also be simply comfortable.
15. Shifting weight from foot to foot: This indicates restlessness, impatience, or even uncertainty.
The direction of lines on your palms can determine when you’ll find success
What do the shape of the lines on your palms say about your future?
For palmistry experts, the fish symbol on a person’s hand indicates his spirituality and inner peace
The fish symbol on the hand may be formed by two curved lines that intersect at one end to form a tail
This sign may also be formed by two overlapping triangles. You may see one or more of these symbols on your hand.
Palmistry – the ancient art of palm reading
The fish is one of the symbols of palmistry (especially Indian and Chinese), the ancient art of reading human palms. Its experts interpret the shape of hands and fingers, skin color, as well as patterns, lines and shapes on the skin of the hands.
These can be, for example, squares, triangles, circles and a shape that closely resembles a fish. Based on the collected information, they are able not only to determine a person’s personality and character, but also to outline the scenario of his or her life, including: love life, career, health.
According to palmistry, the dominant hand is the one we use most often. For right-handed people it will be the right hand, for left-handed people it will be the left hand. It is believed that the more active hand represents our consciousness and current life (including our actions, habits, worldview), while the less used one is responsible for what is hidden and what we have no influence on – in other words, for the future.
Fish symbol on the hand – what does it mean?
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What do the shape of the lines on your palms say about your future?
The fish symbol can be seen in various places on the inside of the hand. Depending on its location, different meanings are assigned to it. However, one thing remains constant – it is a sign of blessing and prosperity.
Unfortunately, this symbol rarely appears on hands. Are you one of the lucky ones? Be sure to check what this means for you.
A person whose fish symbol is clear and the lines have no obvious “breaks” has reasons to be satisfied. According to palmistry, people with this sign are usually well-educated, wise and gentle. They often achieve a high position in society, sometimes even fame. This symbol also provides wealth and financial independence.
If the fish’s head is pointing upwards, towards the fingers, it may suggest that the person will achieve success in life already in his youth.
If the head is directed downwards, towards the wrist, you can expect success in middle age, around 40-50 years.
If the fish’s head is directed sideways, prosperity and fortune will favour us throughout our lives.
If a woman has the Pisces sign on her dominant hand, there are good chances that she will find a good husband and be happy in marriage . What’s more, it can help your spouse achieve financial success.
Fish is also a sign of generosity and kindness. People with visible signs of fish on their hands are always ready to help others.
For Chinese palmistry experts, the fish symbol on a person’s hand indicates his spirituality and inner peace, which is felt by those around him.
Cooking With Game Changers: Kitchen Mama? Omotayo vs Obe in pasta battle
Cooking With Game Changers: Kitchen Mama, Omotayo vs Obe in pasta battle
It’s a battle for the best on the new episode of Cooking With Game Changers!
On this episode, Bolanle Omotayo, Marketing & Communications Manager at Schneider Electric, Anglophone West Africa, and Yemisi Obe, Founder of Grandios Pap, slug it out for the Ultimate GameChanger title by preparing their unique versions of pasta.
A day in the life of these GameChangers is explored after which they battle in the kitchen for the title of “Ultimate GameChanger” even as our Judges M.I Abaga, Kaffy and Captain Toba determine who wears the crown. Daniel Etim-Effiong, the show host, makes their time on Cooking with GameChangers extremely delightful.
Cooking with GameChangers follows a-day–in-the-life of a top corporate executive and entrepreneur who ends up in the Cooking with GameChangers kitchen for a cook-off supervised/judged by celebrity host, Daniel Etim-Effiong and judges M.I Abaga, Kaffy, and Captain Toba.
Cooking with GameChangers is a spinoff of Nigeria’s most syndicated talk show, “Binging With GameChangers” which garners over 60 million monthly viewers and airs on TV stations nationwide.
SATURDAYS:
NTA Network: Saturdays at 10.30 AM
Silverbird: Saturdays at 1.30 PM
Views Channel: Saturday 6:30 PM; Repeat: Mondays at 9:30 PM; Wednesdays at 9 PM
SUNDAYS:
Africa Magic Family: Sundays at 3.30 PM: Repeat: Wednesdays at 1.30 PM
TVC: Sundays at 5.30 PM
NTA2: Sundays at 5.30 PM
Wazobia Max: Sundays at 5.30 PM; Repeat Mondays at 7 PM
Wazobia TV: Sundays at 5.30 PM; Repeat: Mondays at 7 PM
Education means studying in order to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of a variety of subjects to be applied to daily life. Education is not limited to just knowledge from books, but can also be obtained through practical experiences outside of the classroom.
Top 10 Reasons: Why Education is Important?
There are many different understandings and definitions of what education is, but one thing can be universally agreed upon, which is the importance of education – and here’s why.
1. Provides Stability
Education provides stability in life, and it’s something that no one can ever take away from you. By being well-educated and holding a college degree, you increase your chances for better career opportunities and open up new doors for yourself.
2. Provides Financial Security
On top of stability, education also provides financial security, especially in today’s society. A good education tends to lead to a higher paying job, as well as provide you with the skills needed to get there.
3. Needed For Equality
In order for the entire world to really become equal, it needs to start with education. If everyone was provided with the same opportunities to education, then there would be less gaps between social classes. Everyone would be able to have an equal chance at higher paying jobs — not just those that are already well-off.
4. Allows For Self-Dependency
The importance of education is evident when it comes to being self-dependent. If we are we educated, then it’s something that belongs to us, and only us, allowing us to rely on no one else other than ourselves. It can allow you to not only be financially independent, but also to make your own choices.
5. Make Your Dreams Come True
If you can dream it, you can achieve it. An education is the most powerful weapon you can possibly have, and with it, you can make all of your dreams come true. There are of course certain exceptions, depending on what you’re aiming for, but generally an education will take you as far as you’re willing to go.
6. A Safer World
Education is something that’s not only needed on a personal level, but also on a global level, as it’s something that keeps our world safe and makes it a more peaceful place. Education tends to teach people the difference between right and wrong, and can help people stay out of risky situations.
7. Confidence
Being self-confident is a major part of being successful in life. And what better way to gain that confidence than with an education? Your level of education is often considered a way to prove your knowledge, and it can give you the confidence to express your opinions and speak your mind.
8. A Part Of Society
In today’s society, having an education is considered a vital part of being accepted by those around you. Having an education is believed to make you a useful part of society, and can make you feel like a contributing member as well.
9. Economic Growth On A National Level
An educated society is crucial for economic growth. We need people to continue to learn and research in order to constantly stay innovative. Countries with higher literacy rates also tend to be in better economic situations. With a more educated population, more employment opportunities are opened.
10. Can Protect You
Education can protect you more than you know, not only on a financial level, but it can help prevent you from being taken advantage of by knowing how to read and write, such as knowing not to sign any bogus documents.
Education In The Modern World
Education today is more important than ever before, and has reached new heights with new understandings of what it truly entails. Ask yourself “Why is education important?” and it will surely not be the same as anyone else’s answer.
While in modern society, holding a college degree is considered to be highly beneficial for a successful career and to be socially accepted, it is not the only means of education. Education is all around us in everything that we do, so use it wisely!
Since the discovery of large offshore reserves in the late 1960s, Norway’s economic engine has been fueled by oil. As Western Europe’s top petroleum producer, the country has benefited for decades from rising prices.
Until it didn’t: prices crashed at the beginning of 2020, then the global pandemic ensued—and the krone was sent into freefall. In the second quarter of that year, Norwegian GDP fell by 6.3 %, the biggest decline in half a century and possibly since World War Two.
Does that mean Norwegians became significantly less wealthy than they were before the pandemic? Certainly not. After the initial shock, the economy gradually pared the losses and rebounded.
Further, when it comes to any unforeseen economic problem, Norwegians can always count on their $1.4 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest. Not only that, unlike many other rich nations, Norway’s high per capita GDP figures are a reasonably accurate reflection of the average person’s economic well-being. The country boasts one of the smallest income inequality gaps in the world.
Did we say that the wealthiest countries are also the smallest? That is certainly not the case with the United States, which first entered the top 10 list in 2020 after hovering just beyond tenth place for the better part of the past two decades.
Its surge, at least initially, was largely due to pandemic-related socioeconomic measures, which boosted income and spending, and to falling energy prices, which pushed petroleum-based economies like Qatar, Norway and the United Arab Emirates down several rankings, while Brunei fell out of the top 10 entirely.
Still, the country has since managed to build on the momentum and maintain its presence in the highest tier of the list. Not only did the US have its shortest recession on record in early 2020, lasting only two months, but its economy is now booming. In April, the IMF upgraded its 2024 projections for US economic growth to 2.7% (+0.6% higher than it forecasted just a few months earlier), but the performance of the United States—according to the Fund—will be this year “a major driver of global growth.”
8. San Marino🇸🇲
Current International Dollars: 86,989
Tiny San Marino is the oldest republic in Europe and the fifth smallest country on the map. It may have only 34,000 citizens, but it is among the wealthiest citizenry in the world. It helps that income tax rates are very low, at about one-third of the EU average. Nonetheless, San Marino is working towards harmonizing its fiscal laws and regulations with those of the European Union (EU) and international standards.
The tiny nation showed remarkable resilience during the pandemic and after amid tight monetary conditions and the energy crisis, with its tourism industry and manufacturing sector turning especially strong performances.
White chocolate, the bobsleigh, the Swiss Army knife, the computer mouse, the immersion blender, velcro, and LSD are just some of the noteworthy inventions brought to the world by Switzerland. This country of about 8.8 million people owes much of its wealth to banking and insurance services, to tourism, and to the export of pharmaceutical products, gems, precious metals, precision instruments (think watches) and machinery (medical apparatuses and computers).
According to the 2023 Global Wealth Report by Credit Suisse, Switzerland once again came out on top when it comes to the mean average wealth per adult at a whopping $685,230. Furthermore, roughly one adult in six owns assets worth more than one million U.S. dollars. Is it really a surprise that Switzerland has the highest density of millionaires in the world?
But does that mean the Swiss is immune from economic woes? Not only the pandemic had a significant impact on the economy, but—due to the country’s heavy reliance on imports of oil and gas from Russia—the war in Ukraine led to a surge in energy prices and triggered supply chain disruptions. Further, in 2022 Credit Suisse nearly imploded before a government-engineered rescue by its long-time rival, UBS Group, pulled it back from the edge. The demise of Credit Suisse has shaken the country, damaging Switzerland’s reputation as a secure and reliable global banking center.
And that’s not all: last year, in a bid to curb inflation, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) raised its interest rate from -0.75% to 1.75%. Such a move had its consequences, including a surge in investment costs and a slowdown in economic growth—this, while the country was already experiencing a slump in exports, particularly to Germany, Switzerland’s second trading partner after the US, currently facing its own set of economic challenges.
Agriculture, fishing and trading pearls: these used to be the economic mainstays of this Persian Gulf nation. Then oil was discovered in the 1950s and everything changed. Today, the United Arab Emirates’ highly cosmopolitan populationenjoys considerable wealth. Traditional Islamic architecture mixes with glitzy shopping centers and workers come from all over the world lured by tax-free salaries and year-round sunshine; only about 20% of the people living in the country are actually locally-born.
The UAE’s economy is also becoming increasingly diversified. Outside of the traditionally dominant hydrocarbon sector, tourism, construction, trade and finance are major industries. This is not to say that the UAE was not impacted by the pandemic and the concomitant fall of oil prices: quite the contrary. Incredible as it may seem, the UAE briefly slipped out of the IMF’s ranking of the richest countries globally for the first time in decades. Yet fossil fuels have not gone out of fashion: as soon as energy prices recovered, the UAE quickly regained its historic position among the top 10 richest countries in the world.
Despite the recent recovery, oil prices have on average declined since the mid-2010s. In 2014, the per-capita GDP of a Qatari citizen was over $143,222; one year later, it plunged significantly and remained below the $100,000 mark for the next five years. However, that figure has gradually grown, increasing by about $10,000 each year.
Still, Qatar’s oil, gas and petrochemical reserves are so large and its population so small—just 3 million—that this marvel of ultramodern architecture, luxury shopping malls and fine cuisine has managed to stay atop the list of the world’s richest nations for 20 years.
No rich country, however, is without its problems. With only about 12% of the country’s residents being Qatari nationals, the initial months of the pandemic saw Covid-19 spreading rapidly among low-income migrant workers living in crowded quarters, triggering one of the highest rates of positive cases in the region. Then, falling energy prices meant falling government and private sector revenues. An export-oriented economy, Qatar also suffered from the disruption in global trade caused by the war in Ukraine. Later on, the conflict in Gaza sparked renewed fears and uncertainty across the Middle East. Still, until now, the economy has proven to be sufficiently resilient. It is projected to grow by around 2% in 2024 and 2025.
With assets of about $16 billion, the richest person living in Singapore is an American: Eduardo Saverin, the co-founder of Facebook, who in 2011 left the U.S. with 53 million shares of the company and became a permanent resident of the island nation. Like many other fellow millionaires and billionaires, Saverin did not choose it just for its urban attractions or natural gateways: Singapore is an affluent fiscal haven where capital gains and dividends are tax-free.
But how did Singapore manage to attract so many high-net-worth individuals? When the city-state became independent in 1965, one-half of its population was illiterate. With virtually no natural resources, Singapore pulled itself up by its bootstraps through hard work and smart policy, becoming one of the most business-friendly places in the world. Today, Singapore is a thriving trade, manufacturing and financial hub and 98% of the adult population is now literate.
Unfortunately, that did not make it immune from the pandemic-driven global economic downturn: in 2020, the economy shrank by 3.9%, knocking the nation into recession for the first time in more than a decade. In 2021, Singapore’s economy bounced back with an 8.8% growth, but then the slowdown in China, a top trading partner, derailed the recovery. China’s economic problems hit Singapore’s manufacturing sector—which makes up roughly 20% of Singapore’s total GDP—particularly hard. The economy expanded by just 1% in 2023, and is not projected to grow much further than 2% in 2024 and 2025.
A nation of about 5.3 million inhabitants, the Republic of Ireland was one of the hardest hit by the 2008-9 financial crisis. Following politically difficult reform measures like deep cuts to public-sector wages and restructuring its banking industry, the island nation regained its fiscal health, boosted its employment rates and saw its per capita GDP grow exponentially.
However, context is important. Ireland is one of the world’s largest corporate tax havens, which benefits multinationals far more than it benefits the average Irish person. Halfway through the 2010s, many large US firms—Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta and Pfizer to name a few—moved their fiscal residence to Ireland to benefit from its low corporate tax rate of 12.5%, one of the most attractive in the developed world. In 2023, these multinationals accounted for close over 50% of the total value added to the Irish economy. If Ireland were to adopt the minimum corporate tax rate of 15% proposed by the OECD and already implemented by many countries, it would lose its competitive advantage.
Further, while Irish families are undoubtedly better off than they used to be, the national household per-capita disposable income remains slightly lower than the overall EU average according to data from the OECD. With a considerable gap between the richest and poorest (the top 20% of the population earns almost five times as much as the bottom 20%), most Irish citizens would likely balk at the idea that they are among the richest in the world.
Just a few years ago, many were betting that the Las Vegas of Asia was on its way to becoming the richest nation in the world—it encountered a few bumps along the road. Formerly a colony of the Portuguese Empire, the gaming industry was liberalized in 2001 this special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China has seen its wealth growing at an astounding pace. With a population of about 700,000, and more than 40 casinos spread over a territory of about 30 square kilometers, this narrow peninsula just south of Hong Kong became a money-making machine.
That, at least, was until the machine started losing money rather than making it. When Covid struck, global traveling came to a halt, and for a while Macao even slipped out of the 10 richest nations ranking. Since then, Macao has returned to business as —and then some. Its per-capita purchasing power was about $125,000 in 2019—it is even higher today.
You can visit Luxembourg for its castles and beautiful countryside, its cultural festivals or gastronomic specialties. Or you could just set up an offshore account through one of its banks and never set foot in the country again. Doing so would be a pity: situated at the very heart of Europe, this nation of close to 670,000 has plenty to offer, both to tourists and citizens. Luxembourg uses a large share of its wealth to deliver better housing, healthcare and education to its people, who by far enjoy the highest standard of living in the Eurozone.
While the global financial crisis and pressure from the EU and OECD to reduce banking secrecy may have had little impact on Luxembourg’s economy, the coronavirus outbreak forced many businesses to close and cost workers their jobs. Yet, the country has weathered the pandemic better than most of its European neighbors: its economy rebounded from -0.9% growth in 2020 to over 7% growth in 2021. Unfortunately, due to high interest rates, the war in Ukraine, and a broader deterioration of the economic conditions in the Eurozone, that rebound did not last long: the economy grew by just 1.3% in 2022 and even contracted by 1% in 2023 (although it is projected to grow by 1.2% this year.)
Still, weak economic growth may not be worth complaining when your living standards are this high: Luxembourg topped the $100,000 mark in per capita GDP in 2014 and has never looked back ever since.
Empawa releases oShamo’s viral TikTok song ‘Life of the Party’
#FeatureByEmpawa
Empawa releases oShamo’s viral TikTok song ‘Life of the Party’
Nigerian-born, UK-based rising star oShamo presents his first official single of 2024, setting the stage for what promises to be a standout year.
Aptly titled Life of the Party, the song was produced by SkeellzGotbeat and showcases oShamo’s distinct bass voice and charismatic personality.
Empawa releases oShamo’s viral TikTok song ‘Life of the Party’
Throughout the track, listeners get a glimpse of oShamo’s charismatic personality, which shines through every lyric and note.
Life of the Party has rapidly gained popularity and is currently trending on TikTok. The song has inspired over 7,000 organic videos, accumulating more than four million views. Its popularity continues to increase day by day.
Signed to Mr Eazi‘s emPawa Africa, oShamo steps into the spotlight with this vibrant, energetic track, destined to become a staple in every party playlist, just as its name suggests.
Adventure Mindset: The New Power Skill for Employees?
There is no question, we are living through the greatest realignment the world-of-work has ever witnessed. In 2020, the world was thrown into COVID turmoil and forced to adapt at pace, and with conviction. Kitchens were transformed into offices, microphones perpetually on mute and the dreaded commute was simply forgotten.
Since then, businesses and the people within them have been trying to stick the pieces of the puzzle back together, creating a new image altogether.
Now in 2023, the wave of AI has sent tremors across industries, posing questions which haven’t been asked since the industrial revolution: “Will this role exist in 5 years?”
During these monumental shifts, one thing that remains a vital constant is the training and development of employees. But is skill development keeping up with the pace?
Over the past decade, I have been fortunate enough to have trained, coached and collaborated with leaders from Silicon Valley stalwarts to the most conventional of corporations. The best leaders within them are putting time, resource, and considerable effort into preparing their people for this new world of work. They are building companies that have an ‘adventure mindset’, a collection of soft skills that are required to thrive in modern work.
Every year, we have a new buzzword that becomes the focus of HR & People teams. Creativity had its moment, then resilience came in hot, followed by storytelling and empathy. Each of these are of course, important, but to truly make change within an organisation, a way of thinking needs to be adopted, a mindset that becomes part of the culture.
SO, WHAT IS THE ADVENTURE MINDSET, AND WHAT EFFECT DOES IT HAVE?
Let’s break down the four traits and dive into each:
Mental resilience: Resilience has many forms, so let’s define it properly in this context. Being mentally resilient in the workplace, is to have the ability to turn obstacles into opportunities, to react to change in a positive manner, and to thrive in unstable situations.
Training this is hard. A single workshop once a quarter does not develop resilience. To see results, you need to create an environment in which employees are pushed to work outside of their comfort zone and fail. Many companies jump on the ‘failure is good’ bandwagon, few actually mean it.
Bold decision making: The pace and conviction of decision making within a company can literally mean life or death. If employees lack the confidence or autonomy to make decisions without sending it up the bureaucratic ladder, innovation is impossible. Meetings upon meetings, outdated sign-off processes and micromanaging are symptoms of an underperforming team.
Big vision thinking: Vision differs from goal-setting or OKRs. It focuses on having an understanding of where you want to be in the future. what type of person will you be? What impact will you have on the business? What will the business look like? Jeff Bezos recently said he works three years in the future, this is a leader with vision.
Collaboration: This trait combines a number of well-known soft skills. Communication, storytelling, empathy. A true collaborator has the ability to bring people together, united on a common path, and motivate them to work as a cohesive unit.
Writing and defining an adventure mindset is the easy bit, making it a reality is the challenge. At The Tempest Two, we have seen clients who have achieved great success and those who have missed the mark. The common thread across those who perform well is strong buy-in from the top. Senior leaders make it a priority to focus on these skills and give departments the autonomy to make it happen through training programmes, and more importantly to put those learnings into practice within their work.
The next few years are full of excitement and change, so maybe it’s time to put some adventure into your teams and enjoy the ride.
Having different generations who don’t gel as a team is often blamed for driving poor performance. However, instead of looking at ways to overcome this and create connections that go beyond the age box, we’re seeing more and more of a culture of conformity that doesn’t value the differences and experiences of each individual. Gen Z are told to be more realistic about their workplace expectations, whilst Boomers are penalised if they can’t keep up with the social and structural change.
If we are serious about creating connected, collaborative and empathy-led workplaces that drive both performance and morale upwards, it’s up to managers to ensure that we’re helping our people to succeed at every age.
Here are my five learnings for effectively managing multi-generational workplaces…
CHECK YOUR ASSUMPTIONS
Persistent, stereotypical narratives that create caricatures of the generations are affecting how we relate to one another. These biases can be, at best, disheartening and, at worst, discriminatory. We need to ensure that we are avoiding acting in a way that perpetuates or reaffirms stereotypes and instead, challenge those that do.
Foster a culture of transparency, psychological safety, and openness to enable employees to share their insights and raise questions without fear of judgment. Furthermore, conduct regular and routine conversation and training sessions to ensure everyone is able to continually understand the perspectives of those around them.
DEMOCRATISE YOUR GENERATIONAL JARGON
From ‘hard launching’ to ‘lazy girl jobs’, Gen Z has introduced a wave of new terms into the workplace. A constantly changing linguistic phenomenon isn’t a new reality but it is one we need to constantly engage in understanding. For young people entering the workplace for the first time, understanding business proverbs and acronyms like EBITDA and ROI can be just as confusing so a constant meeting in the middle for the whole team is critical.
To create engaged and connected teams, you need to all be speaking – or at least understanding – the same language. Not understanding what someone means can lead people to switch off and disengage with what’s being said. Approach generational jargon at the root by asking teams to explain what they mean when they use buzzwords and phrases and then setting expectations as needed for inclusive spoken and written communications.
PRIORITISE LISTENING
Being a good listener is the key to building trust, creating transparency, and fostering loyalty in your organisation. But it’s vital to ensure you don’t mistake hearing for listening – which is a widely misunderstood reality. To truly listen is to gather insight whilst also seeking to understand the perspective attached to what the speaker is sharing. It ensures that leaders maintain real-time insight into the needs, opinions and realities of their teams across all levels and experiences.
FOCUS ON YOUR SIMILARITIES
When so much commentary focuses on our differences, it can be easy to miss what connects us all. Prioritise activities that enable employees to develop human connections and find common ground within their teams. Remember that as humans we are all more alike than we are different.
Whether it’s films, music, sports or fashion, shared interests can help team members bond and get to know each other beyond just the job title. Schedule conversational and informal catchups and open meetings to encourage sharing and cohesion.
EMPATHISE
Empathetic leadership is the key to understanding the reality behind how employees are feeling and behaving. Work with individuals to identify the best ways to support their growth and address their opinions and explore the opportunity of peer-to-peer mentoring to encourage your staff to listen and learn from each other. In the end, it will be the teams that communicate cohesively and understand each other’s realities that will be able to work together to reach the goals of the entire organisation. To win together we first need to understand each other.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, businesses have undergone unprecedented change. According to Gartner, the average business planned ten enterprise changes in 2022, compared with two in 2016.
Change is necessary in all aspects of life. If you’re standing still, you’re ultimately going backwards. But when business changes become overwhelming, staff can struggle to cope. 71% of staff say they’re overwhelmed by the amount of change at work. More than half of those employees are considering looking for a new job.
This reaction is known as change fatigue, and it can pose a problem for forward-thinking businesses. While change is necessary to keep moving forward, it can take its toll on your team. Our recent research shows that just 18% of UK business owners consider changes within an organisation to be the main cause of stress.
As business leaders, we must be able to recognise and tackle change fatigue so we can keep staff happy and thrive as businesses.
THE POST-PANDEMIC BOOM OF CORPORATE CHANGE CULTURE
Over the last few years, we’ve had to deal with a lot of significant changes in a compressed amount of time: Covid, Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis, and the war in Ukraine. In light of this, many businesses are having to redefine and rebuild themselves.
The pandemic changed everything for Speakers Corner. With the live events industry obliterated by lockdowns, we were forced to find a new niche in virtual events. When we realised we had done perhaps more online events than anyone else, we were able to shift our focus and guide our team, clients, speakers, and the whole industry through these turbulent times.
The scale of change demanded from businesses over the last three years is incomparable to previous times. And it often feels like there won’t be a time when things are less hectic than they are right now.
But everything comes in cycles. Understanding that transformation feels all-consuming right now, but we will have time to breathe. In fact, you have time to breathe right now if you manage change in a way that’s practical and sustainable.
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CHANGE ON EMPLOYEES
While change can feel overwhelming for business leaders, this can be magnified for employees, who often have less of a say in the changes required of the organisation.
This is where communication comes in. People want to know your vision at a high level. Communicating this to everyone is essential. From there, your management team can take over. They can have further conversations at a team and individual level to ensure everyone knows how these changes will impact them. Processes, timescales, workloads: all of these must be concrete and manageable for each team and staff member.
It’s also important to help staff understand that though your business transformation may take months or even years to complete, they won’t be in a constant state of upheaval. Knowing when changes are likely to affect them can help staff focus their energy and attention in the right place at the right time rather than fielding a constant stream of worry.
This comes down to good leadership and change management. And times of change are an excellent opportunity to showcase your leadership skills. While the transformation may be true to your vision, you don’t have to be the flagbearer of change. You can support other managers to help teams navigate turbulence and ensure staff feel safe and supported.
RECOGNISING CHANGE FATIGUE
The signs of change fatigue are different in everyone. So, you must treat your staff as individuals and understand they may have other problems at different times. They’ll also need additional skills to cope with these changes, so you must be willing to invest in these.
As a leader, avoid projecting your own opinions onto your staff. Don’t assume that because you’re coping or not coping, the same is true of others.
Instead, ask people how they’re dealing with the changes. If they tell you they’re struggling, have a plan for how you’ll deal with this. It could involve taking time away or adjusting the way they do their job.
Either way, ensure your change plan protocol will make a difference and give staff the support they really need to adjust to your new vision.
NAVIGATING SUCCESSFUL, SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION
There are three key ways to ensure successful, sustainable change in your organisation:
Treat people as individuals. This helps you understand the unique challenges each team member is facing, so you can create an individual support plan for them.
Be brave. Try new things without succumbing to crisis mode. Don’t be afraid to get things wrong. Your staff and your customers want you to succeed, so be bolstered by this support.
Communicate with your team. Let them know that you’re all in this together and you want to embrace new ideas from people at all levels.
These three practices allow you to embed a culture of change in your organisation rather than seeing your current project as a one-and-done affair. Instead of creating an overwhelming, all-encompassing Big Change Plan, view each act of progress as a small wave of change. This will significantly redefine how you and your staff view business transformation for the better.
Ultimately, making change part of the ongoing conversation can help staff feel more settled and adaptable. So, they can achieve your vision with focus and positivity, ensuring they thrive alongside your business.
Can improving employee benefits help your business?
A happier workforce is a more productive workforce. Even before the pandemic shone a spotlight on workplace wellness, studies established a conclusive link between employee happiness and productivity.
By Nick Gold, MD, Speakers Corner
When you’re focused on the day-to-day running of a business, it’s easy to overlook findings like these. But there are risks to neglecting staff wellbeing. As well as lower productivity, you can lose staff to other companies that take employee happiness more seriously.
The Great Resignation has highlighted this problem. Even now, more than two years after the pandemic started, 44% of workers are seeking a new job. So if you don’t have the right benefits in place, your staff could be less secure than you think.
Increasing staff happiness should be a top priority for any business. It boosts productivity, increases staff retention, and improves your chances of recruiting great talent. That’s why we decided to find out which benefits the Speakers Corner staff would truly value — and see if giving staff their most sought-after perks would help our business.
The most sought-after employee benefit
Recruiters tell us flexible working is the number one benefit jobseekers are looking for. And since the pandemic, we’ve implemented a flexible working policy — so our staff now have much more control over when and where they work.
Perhaps this is why I was shocked by the results of our employee benefits consultation. Given the choice of 12 different benefits — plus the chance to put forward their own ideas — our staff overwhelmingly asked for more annual leave.
Flexible working arrangements allow staff much more freedom when it comes to clocking in and clocking out of work — so I was surprised that annual leave still held the key to employee happiness.
In addition, some years ago — before the pandemic changed how the world works — we offered our staff unlimited annual leave. This would allow them to take as much time off as they felt they needed. But the team decided to turn down this initiative, citing concerns about feeling guilty for taking time off during busy periods.
Finally, the average UK employee takes just 62% of their annual leave allowance. As a nation, we have a tendency not to take our holidays — and we’ve seen this trend among our employees, too.
Why don’t staff take their allocated annual leave?
To understand why annual leave is still so valuable, business leaders must explore why staff don’t use their existing holidays.
A Glassdoor survey found that 23% of those who do take annual leave continue to check their emails while they’re on holiday — and 15% work through their holidays to prevent work overload when they return. If staff fear coming back to an overwhelming workload, annual leave may actually add to staff stress, rather than reduce it.
Other employees may feel the need to take less annual leave thanks to flexible working — especially if they don’t have any particular plans. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, people are increasingly priced out of going on holiday. People may feel that if you’re going to sit at home, you might as well be working.
But our staff bucked the trend. They asked for more holidays — so we made it happen.
The employee benefit experiment
Our new policy has increased staff holidays from 20 days to 25, with an additional day accrued for every year of service up to a maximum of 30 days.
We hope this new policy will make our staff happier and healthier. We want to reduce the risk of burnout and stress, so our teams can be more productive, cohesive, and engaged with the Speakers Corner vision.
It’s too soon to tell if this new policy has had this kind of impact. But we’re already reaping the rewards in other ways — simply by listening to our staff and taking action based on their feedback and ideas.
The perks of taking action
While more holiday was the most popular perk across the board, it wasn’t everyone’s first choice. Some employees wanted performance bonuses and reward schemes. Others saw value in perks like social event budgets and wellbeing-focused initiatives, such as health insurance and cycle to work schemes.
But regardless of their individual viewpoints, our team appreciated the fact that we asked their opinions, listened to the outcomes, and took action.
As leaders, our purpose should never be to impose our own ideas of what works for our employees. We should give our staff the benefits that mean the most to them.
Our employees also know that we have a long-term vision. Eventually, we hope to create tailored benefits packages for each staff member, so everyone can choose the perks that make them happiest. Our staff understand that this is a big project that will take time to implement — but in the meantime, they’re happy that we’ve listened to what they want and taken action to achieve this.
Balancing employee benefits with business needs
Not all businesses can boost annual leave allowance at the drop of a hat. Seasonal businesses may need more control over when their staff take their holidays. And in other companies or sectors, annual leave may be of less value than financial perks like bonuses.
So what happens if you can’t offer your staff the perks they value most?
You need to strike a balance between the benefits you offer and the needs of your business. Within our teams, staff have started implementing soft rules to make sure they have the cover they need when people request holidays. It’s interesting to watch how this develops — in many cases, it’s helped our team cultures flourish (even if there was a little antagonism at the start).
No matter which sector you work in, an open discussion is always the best way to kick things off. It gives you the opportunity to find out what really matters to your staff.
How to improve your employee benefits
As a business leader, it’s often tempting to offer benefits you think your staff will love. But you may be wrong about what they want — which is why it’s important to avoid a top-down approach to any employee-focused initiative.
You can take steps to protect your business. This could involve restricting the number of employees who can take time off at the same time, or working out if you have enough staff to cover increased absences. To balance this, you might need to become more flexible about allowing staff to roll unused holidays over into subsequent years, so everyone can actually take their holiday.
However you improve your employee benefits program, the important thing is that it starts with a conversation between you and your teams. Give them a voice, engage in the conversation, and find out what will truly make a difference to their wellbeing. If you can find a way to give it to them, you’ll reap the rewards of a happier, healthier, more productive workforce.
WHAT IS THE BEST PRESENT YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF AND OTHERS THIS YEAR?
TO BE FULLY PRESENT
In this life we are often pre-occupied with our efforts to make something happen in the future, or to ruminate over past mistakes and regrets, or just to keep turning to social media with a coffee to occupy our already highly stimulated minds.
When you stepped outside this morning to go to work or elsewhere did you get the chance the enjoy what was happening around you, did you connect with the people you came in contact with, did you notice all the sights, smells and the sounds – or were you locked in your head thinking: “I mustn’t forget to do xyz, I wish I had done abc yesterday, what emails have I had….tweets…Facebook….?”
How about making our goal to be fully present in as many moments as we can. To see, hear, touch, smell, feel what is happening, to experience our deeper sense of self and our connection to each other, to feel good about the gift of being alive.
KNOW WHO YOU REALLY ARE
In my early experience with Putting People First programmed with organizations such as American Express and Unipart Group, and much more recently with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and Progress it’s clear to me that igniting people at a deeper, more personal level is at the heart of transforming culture – whether the priority be to drive innovative customer experiences and/or boost operational performance and efficiency.
In my work directing The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show at numerous Edinburgh Festivals and on Sky, this same principle has emerged: sustained high performance comes from the inside out. When actors engage fully with the deeper purpose and objectives of the character they are seeking to become, the magic happens.
When leaders shape a culture where people put their heart and soul into something, it releases enormous potential. This potential can be applied to meet some big challenges without burning out the leadership team…and often the rest of the organization too.
Learning new things and spending time with friends are among the REAL reasons we come to work – with money only SIXTH on our list of priorities, a study found.
Feeling professionally fulfilled is important too – as are being trusted by employersto carry out the job to a high level, having space to be creative and stability.
Having an understanding boss, facing new challenges every day and getting to meet new people make a ‘massive’ difference too.
Commissioned by Perkbox to celebrate #WorkplaceCultureWeek [https://www.perkbox.com/uk/campaign/comms_workplace-culture-week], which takes place until February 28th, the research also found workplace culture is ‘very important’ to 83 per cent of working adults.
Saurav Chopra, co-founder and CEO at Perkbox, said: “It’s clear a lot of us are doing at least something right when it comes to creating a culture in which our employees feel comfortable and fulfilled.
“There’s no denying that achieving this requires the constant juggling of many factors, some of which are out of our own control or differ from one person to another.
“Yet while the efforts of taking them seriously enough do pay off, we rarely take the time to celebrate them together. It’s something we should definitely feel proud of.”
The study, of 2,000 employed adults also found other factors which affect why we come to work include the people in charge – or more specifically their style of leadership.
A sense of being valued is also key as well as working in an ‘appealing’ location and feeling like they make a genuine difference.
Eight in 10 feel settled in their current role – and two thirds are so content in that position they see themselves staying in it for ‘many years.’
Amazingly, half of the adults polled ‘rarely’ have the ‘Sunday night dread’ when it comes to thoughts of going back to work on Monday.
In fact, four in 10 ‘love’ their jobs and colleagues so much they think of going to work as spending time with their family.
It also emerged around 78 per cent of working adults currently feel motivated in their roles and seven in 10 feel professionally fulfilled.
Three quarters believe workplace culture is valued where they work with seven in 10 believing it’s becoming increasingly important to employees.
However their interpretation of this term varies – for some it refers to the working atmosphere, for others it is how motivated staff are, the style of leadership or how the workplace responds to change.
More than eight in 10 like to work for an organisation with clear goals or targets.
And half favour an environment or job which is predictable – conversely a fifth prefer unpredictability.
For 55 per cent, it’s important their workplace is altruistic – whether it be helping charities, supporting the local community or taking environmental issues seriously.
The Perkbox study carried out through OnePoll found for eight in 10, what’s important to them in their career has changed as they’ve gained more experience of the working world.
But enjoying their job is the single most important thing to them.
Alexandra Sanpera, head of communications at Perkbox, added: “At Perkbox we want #WorkplaceCultureWeek to be an opportunity for everyone to take a step back and celebrate their annual workplace achievements, and in areas that need improving, for this to be an opportunity to make a positive change.
TOP 20 REASONS BRITS GO TO WORK:
1. The people
2. Feeling like I am good at it
3. The hours
4. It’s fulfilling
5. Working as a team
6. The salary
7. The location
8. Feeling valued
9. Having an understanding boss
10. Feeling trusted
11. Feeling like I make a difference
12. The positive/welcoming atmosphere
13. Every day is different
14. Stability
15. Meeting new people
16. It allows me to be creative
17. Being given time and space to do the job properly
You’re facing a decision or problem. It could be at work or in your personal life. You could be taking this step alone or with a team. Whatever the scenario, you need a plan. Planning is important for organizations, like a business wanting to expand its reach, and for individuals, like a person who wants to switch jobs. Some projects take more planning than others, but the choices in our lives need a little bit of thought. Here are ten reasons why planning is important
#1. Planning helps you set appropriate goals
Before you begin to plan, you likely have an idea about what you’re hoping to accomplish. Planning helps you refine that goal and determine if it’s realistic or not. As an example, you might want to increase sales at your job to a specific number. After taking the time to plan, you realize that number was a bit too high based on factors outside your control. You adjust your goal based on this new information.
#2. Planning breaks a problem or goal into smaller pieces
Many problems or goals in your life will be complicated. There are often more than just two paths you could take, so it’s not a matter of just flipping a coin. It can be very overwhelming. Planning helps break down the issue into smaller pieces and distribute tasks when applicable. Even if you’re the only one facing the dilemma, planning turns a larger, more abstract thing into bite-sized activities. It’s like paving a road brick by brick to a resolution in the distance.
#3. Planning reveals weaknesses (and strengths)
As you work through a plan and look at it from every angle, you’ll notice what makes the plan weak and what makes it strong. This is an essential part of planning because if you steamrolled ahead toward your goal, you could end up sabotaging yourself early on. Thinking critically about your plan’s flaws helps you make adjustments. Taking note of its strengths affirms if it’s a good idea.
#4. Planning increases certainty and confidence
Uncertainty is part of every new project or problem-solving endeavor. That creates fear. When you take the time to plan well, you’ll see a boost in your confidence and an increase in certainty. No one can predict the future and there will always be surprises, but planning gives you a much clearer idea about what lies ahead.
#5. Planning increases efficiency
You’ve no doubt heard about projects where people didn’t plan well enough. There’s a big focus on the embarrassment of defeat, but it’s important to also note how much waste occurred. That includes wasted money, talent, and time. Even if a project doesn’t completely fail, the lack of planning means it took more resources than necessary to reach the finish line. Planning well increases efficiency and prevents waste.
#6. Planning reduces risk
Because we can’t know the future, every new endeavor involves risk. In many scenarios, the level of risk determines whether a project or idea can move forward. If your goal involves others – like an organization or a team – the level of risk can determine if they’re willing to give you a shot. How can you address this concern? Explain your plan. You can prove that you’ve thought through the challenges and are prepared to adjust as needed. You show that you’ve done everything you can to reduce risk.
#7. Planning increases your credibility
Speaking of working with organizations and teams, being a good planner is one of the best ways to earn credibility. If you’re in a leadership position (or hope to be), your ability to guide the planning process will determine how successful and respected you are. Good planners know how to set clear, realistic goals and what needs to happen for that goal to be achieved.
#8. Planning encourages creativity
Breaking a big goal into small parts, analyzing the weaknesses, and coming up with ways to reduce risk make a great recipe for innovation. Creative thinkers – like artists, musicians, and writers – often talk about how the boundaries and problem-solving of planning force them to stretch their minds.
#9. Planning improves decision-making
Is it possible to make a good decision without enough information? When you plan, you gather the information necessary to make a thoughtful, well-rounded decision. You’re aware of the challenges and possible problems, which helps you make better decisions each step of the way.
#10. Planning equals more peace of mind
There are many planning benefits – increased efficiency, reduced risk, boosted creativity – but there’s one last benefit that shouldn’t be ignored: peace of mind. Any project or idea that requires a plan will trigger some stress. Planning strips a lot of the uncertainty from the future and boosts your confidence. You’ve thought through everything. You’ve weighed the pros and cons. Stress probably won’t evaporate completely, but you have more peace of mind than you did before planning.
Forgiveness is part of the process of healing and letting go of the past.
When two people are angry with each other, each side feels hurt by the other and would like to receive an apology. Unfortunately, many people believe that they “lose” by admitting they hurt the other person. So neither side apologizes and the mutual resentment continues indefinitely. It’s important to remember that you do not lose by apologizing and admitting that you have been hurting the other person. You win and so does the other person.
So what exactly is forgiveness? We have a lot of misconceptions about it. For example, that it means being weak, not demanding justice, excusing the reprehensible behavior, or letting oneself be treated badly. It’s not any of those things! Forgiveness means to cease to feel resentment against someone or something. It is very empowering to know that you can regain your sense of self. You can wake up each day without reliving the past, even though you won’t forget it.
Four myths about forgiveness
Forgiving means forgetting. False! Your brain doesn’t stop remembering. Instead of dwelling on the past, you are now free to protect yourself and move on.
Forgiving means you’re a pushover. Absolutely not! Forgiving puts you in a position of strength. You can still hold people accountable, but you take away that person’s power to hurt you anymore.
Forgiving means you can’t get angry. Not true! You don’t excuse unkind, inconsiderate, selfish behavior nor minimize your own pain. You can’t change the past or predict the future, but you don’t have to suffer forever either.
Forgiving means reconciliation. Not always! It just gives you emotional space to make decisions that are best for you. It helps you decide, with strength and confidence, what’s best for you. You can decide if you want to work things out, or just walk away or do something else.
Why should we forgive?
The Stanford Forgiveness Project has shown that learning to forgive lessens the amount of hurt, anger, stress and depression that people experience. People who forgive also become more hopeful, optimistic and compassionate and have enhanced conflict resolution skills. This research also found that people who forgive report significantly fewer physical symptoms of stress such as a backache, muscle tension, dizziness, headaches and upset stomachs. The act of forgiveness also increases energy and overall well-being.
How to forgive
Acknowledge the pain you feel and recognize who is responsible for causing that pain.
Express your emotions in healthy ways.
Release any expectations you have of righting the wrong that was done to you.
Be mindful of or restore your boundaries so that this doesn’t happen again. Remind yourself that people cannot give you what they don’t have. Remember what to expect of others.
Find new ways to get your needs met in the future.
Don’t say things like, “I’m sorry you feel that way.” This is not an apology, but a criticism.
Don’t make your apology conditional on the other person’s apology. “I’ll admit I was wrong if you admit you were wrong.” Just apologize for what you did wrong. If the other person wants to apologize back, it is their choice, but do not expect it.
Learning to forgive requires acceptance by acknowledging that what happened really happened, instead of wishing it were different.
Release the unhealthy attachment you previously maintained concerning how the other person behaves.
Reframe your life story and find meaning in the broken places. Redefine, recreate and restructure your life.
Why should you get baptized? Let me give you three reasons. My hope in laying out these reasons is that you will find them not only persuasive but also inviting and compelling. As we’ll see, Christ not only commands believers to get baptized, baptism is also a gift he graciously gives for our benefit and blessing.
Here then are three reasons to get baptized: (1) to obey Christ’s command, (2) to publicly profess faith in Christ, and (3) to formally commit yourself to Christ and his people.
1. To Obey Christ’s Command
Why should you get baptized? To obey Christ’s command. Which command? The one he gives us in Matthew 28:19. Let’s look at this verse in context:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18–20)
Here Jesus addressed his eleven disciples shortly after he died for our sins and rose from the dead. He had accomplished salvation, and now he charged his disciples to proclaim news of this salvation to every nation on the earth. In verse 18, we learn that as a result of his saving death and resurrection, Jesus possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth.” He is the supreme ruler of the universe, the sovereign of sovereigns.
Jesus then gave his disciples—and by implication all believers—one main command: “Make disciples” (Matt. 28:19). Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples. He requires his followers, then and now, to summon others to follow him. He then gave three supporting instructions that show us how to “make disciples.” First, we need to go. We need to go to where the nations are, whether that means crossing the street, crossing town, or crossing an ocean. Second, we baptize those who follow Christ. And finally, he tells us to instruct new disciples to obey every one of his commands. To become Jesus’s follower is to give your whole life to trusting Jesus, following Jesus, learning and obeying Jesus’s teaching, and following Jesus’s example.
So according to Jesus, we “make disciples” by baptizing true believers and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded. The order is important: make disciples, baptize, teach.
Are you a disciple of Jesus? Then you need to show it by baptism—that’s what Jesus said. Jesus wants those who have trusted him as Savior and submitted to him as Lord to get baptized. As you can see, then, baptism publicly identifies someone as a disciple of Jesus. Baptism formally and publicly enrolls a disciple in the school of Christ.
God marks his people by baptism. By getting baptized, we are essentially putting on a jersey that says “Team Jesus”—we’re playing by his rules and following his commands. By following Jesus’s command to get baptized, we’re saying we’re committed to do all that he commanded.
Now, what exactly does Jesus mean when he says “baptize”? Here is a definition of baptism I offered in another short book, called Understanding Baptism:
Baptism is a church’s act of affirming and portraying a believer’s union with Christ by immersing him or her in water, and a believer’s act of publicly committing him or herself to Christ and his people, thereby uniting a believer to the church and marking off him or her from the world. 1
Now that’s a bit of a mouthful. More simply, baptism is a believer’s act of publicly committing him or herself to Christ and his people by being immersed in water.
We have already seen from Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 28:19 that baptism is how someone publicly commits to follow Christ. And we’ll see biblical support for much of this definition in the next two sections. Here we can simply note that baptism should be performed by immersion. The Greek word baptizō, on which our word “baptize” is based, means to dip or plunge something completely into a liquid. New Testament examples of baptism imply that it was done by immersion (John 3:23; Acts 8:38–39), and immersion best fits the imagery of union with Christ in his burial and resurrection, which we will consider in the next section (Rom. 6:1–4).
To summarize Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 28:19, we can say that baptism is the first item on Jesus’s list of “Everything I Have Commanded You.” Why should you get baptized? Because if you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, then, after repenting and believing (Mark 1:15), the first formal, public act of following that Jesus requires of you is baptism. The Christian life is more than following commands, but it certainly isn’t less. So after the command to repent and believe, here’s your first “to-do” from Jesus. All you have to do is declare your faith and lean back.
2. To Publicly Profess Faith in Him
A second reason why you should get baptized is to publicly profess your faith in Jesus. We’ve seen that this element of baptism is implicit in Matthew 28:19. It’s more explicit in a few other places in Scripture.
For example, when those who heard Peter preach on Pentecost were convicted of their sin, they asked him what to do, and he urged them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:37–38). And then we read, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Receiving the word and being baptized went hand in hand. All those who embraced the gospel were baptized, and only those who embraced the gospel were baptized. Baptism was how those at Pentecost publicly proclaimed their embrace of Christ, the crucified and resurrected Messiah. And baptism is how you can and should openly declare that you trust in Christ.
Similarly, consider Paul’s teaching in Colossians 2:11–12:
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Note how baptism and faith go hand in hand. Addressing a congregation of baptized Christians, Paul says that they were buried and raised with Christ in baptism. He even uses baptism as a shorthand to refer to the whole event of their conversion.
He does this because baptism is a visible, tangible, public, dramatic expression of faith in Christ. It’s obvious, memorable, datable. You get soaked, and everyone present sees you disappear under the water and reappear up out of the water. That’s why Paul singles out baptism as a sign of conversion. But he doesn’t just refer to baptism. He says, “in which you were also raised with him through faith” (Col. 2:12). Paul assumes that faith was present at the time of baptism, because faith was the reason for baptism. Faith in the resurrection power of God is why those Christians presented themselves for baptism. And publicly expressing that same faith is why you should be baptized too.
Why is it a good thing to publicly declare your faith in Christ? We’ve already seen that Christ commands it. In addition, declaring your faith in Christ is good for your faith. Declaring your faith will deepen your faith. Confessing your faith will confirm your faith. Sharing your faith will strengthen your faith.
Not only that, but baptism shows us the shape of the whole Christian life. If you’re a Christian, you can’t just declare your faith once in baptism and then go radio silent about Jesus for the rest of your life. Instead, openly declaring your faith in Christ should be part of the regular fabric of your life from now on. One of the first things people learn about you should be that you’re a Christian. That Christ is your Savior should be what you’re most excited to tell people. Further, Jesus himself warns that faith that stays a secret is no faith at all. “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32–33).
Openly declaring your faith in Christ should be part of the regular fabric of your life from now on.
3. To Commit to Christ’s People
We’ve seen that in baptism you commit to Christ. Now we will see that in baptism you commit to Christ’s people. As we’ve already seen, on the day of Pentecost, those who received the word were baptized and added to the church (Acts 2:41). All those who received Christ that day were received by the church. And the way the church received them was by baptizing them. In baptism, you step out of the world and into the church. In baptism, you declare your loyalty to Christ. In baptism, you enlist in Christ’s company. Your commitment to Christ’s people follows logically, necessarily, and immediately from your commitment to Christ.
The commitment that those who were baptized on Pentecost made with the church was no mere ticking of a box. Instead, this new commitment to Christ’s people fundamentally altered the fabric of their lives. We read in the following verses that the whole church in Jerusalem, including these three thousand who joined the church by baptism on Pentecost, devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to breaking bread, and to praying together (Acts 2:42). They shared their lives and their possessions (Acts 2:44). They even sold off property in order to give the proceeds to believers in need (Acts 2:45). They prayed and ate together daily (Acts 2:46). The fruit of their commitment to one another was a rich, inviting communion with one another, a communion that inspired awe in outsiders (Acts 2:43). And the means by which they committed to one another was baptism. In baptism those believers bound themselves to Christ and to each other. In other words, in baptism you commit to Christ’s people.
We also see that baptism commits a Christian to Christ’s people in 1 Corinthians 12:13. Paul writes, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” Is Paul referring to baptism in water or baptism by the Spirit? I would suggest that Paul has both in mind. Christians are reborn and united with Christ and his body by the work of the Spirit, and our baptism in water signifies that baptism by the Spirit.
Some people question whether being “baptized into one body” refers to the universal church or the local church. Here again I would suggest that the former implies the latter. Elsewhere, Paul occasionally uses the concept of the “body” of Christ to describe all believers at all times in all places (see Eph. 1:22–23). But, in the following verses in 1 Corinthians, Paul focuses on a local church. Only in a local church can one member wrongly say to another, “I don’t need you” (1 Cor. 12:21). Only in a local church can members honor the less-honored (1 Cor. 12:23–24). Only in a local church can all suffer together, and all rejoice together (1 Cor. 12:26). So given the context of the whole chapter, Paul is saying in verse 13 that our baptism unites us to the body of Christ—that is, to a local body of Christ. Baptism inserts you into the living organism that is a local church.
In baptism, two parties speak, and two parties commit. In baptism, you ask for welcome, and the church extends it. In baptism, you pledge yourself to the church, and the church pledges itself to you. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in private, nor is it meant to be lived alone. Baptism brings your life into the light of the church’s loving concern. Baptism sets you within the strengthening and sustaining communion of Christ’s people
You must remember these things before you get on a plane
It is worth preparing well in advance for travelling by plane.
In the whirlwind of stressful events at the airport, we can easily lose our heads.
At the airport, we have to face a series of stressful situations – from security checks, through passport control, to looking for the right gate that will take us to board our plane. It’s easy to make a mistake once you’re on board.
One of the most important tips is to take a blanket or sweatshirt with you on board. There is often air conditioning on the plane, which can make us feel colder with each passing minute of flight.
In addition, it is worth packing all the necessary medicines and… a pen, which will be especially useful during a long trip, in your hand luggage.
It is better not to hide your passport in the seat pocket
<img class="image lazyloaded imgWithMetaData" title="You can have a pleasant trip by paying attention [Getty/Jose Luis Pelaez]" src="data:;base64,” alt=”You can have a pleasant trip by paying attention [Getty/Jose Luis Pelaez]” width=”640″ height=”427″ data-original=”https://ocdn.eu/pulscms-transforms/1/vaYktkqTURBXy83ZDk0MDk1NTM3NzljOGZmYjQyMTQxYmNiZDcwMDhkNC5qcGVnkpUDAADNAtDNAeCVAs0CgM0Bq8LD” />
You can have a pleasant trip by paying attention [Getty/Jose Luis Pelaez]
Additionally, Więckowska warns that the seat pocket is not the best hiding place for a phone and passport. “Especially when you get off the plane in a hurry. I can’t count how many times I found documents and other personal items there,” she said in the post.
She emphasised that the plane crew also does not like delays, so it is worth taking this into account.
Finally, she reminded us that it’s worth just being nice to other people. “It’s nice to say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and respond to the crew’s greetings while boarding!”
A very big thank you for sharing the happiness and relief of Dozer’s ongoing recovery post surgery. I’m so touched by all the support. ❤️ Now I can get back to my day job – GREAT FOOD!**
Here’s my recipe for Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi, possibly the best sandwich I’ve ever had in my life! Stuffed with juicy pork belly meat with ultra crispy crackling, this Vietnamese sandwich has all the essential banh mi fixings plus a special secret banh mi sauce. Out of all the types of banh mi I make, this is my favourite!
Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi
I recently had the best banh mi of my life at a place called Ca Com in Melbourne. It was a banh mi stuffed with crispy pork belly with a special sauce and plenty of banh mi fixings, and it was absolutely incredible. The standout was the pork itself which was ridiculously juicy with superior crispy crackling!
In fact, in recent years I’ve noticed more people ordering pork belly banh mi over the classic “mystery pork slices” version, an observation consistent with an Instagram poll I ran where 57% of respondents voted for crispy pork over the classic mystery pork slices (16%). Does that surprise you? It did me!
As wildly popular as the pork belly Banh mi is, it is actually quite hard to find really good ones, with dry meat and not-so-crispy-crackling the most common shortfall. So in case you don’t live around the corner from Ca Com (like me, all the way up in Sydney!), here’s my copycat recipe.
It’s not exactly the same (for example, they don’t use pâté, I insist of sticking with this tradition), but I’ve taken inspiration from theirs, including a copycat of their special banh mi sauce. I hope you become as obsessed with this as I have!
Anatomy of a Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi
Here’s what makes up a pork belly banh mi. There’s some gathering involved (oh yes, and a simple crispy crackling pork belly to make 😂). But once gathered (and crackled), assembly is a breeze! Excellent food for gatherings, particularly in summer.
Crispy pork belly (don’t worry, I have a tried-and-proven easy crispy crackling trick!)
Spreads – mayonnaise and pate
Pickled vegetables – carrot and daikon (white radish)
Fresh veg – coriander/cilantro, cucumber slices
Garnishes – fresh chilli, coriander/cilantro, crispy Asian shallots (optional, store bought)
Special banh mi sauce – A hoisin coconut milk mixture, copycat of the sauce used by Ca Com!
Crusty bread roll
Slow roasted Crispy Pork Belly for banh mi
Using the tried and true (easy!) tips in my Crispy Pork Belly recipe, this pork belly has terrifically crispy crackling that is crispy from edge to edge – no rubbery spots – with a tender fall-apart-flesh. It’s initially slow roasted to make the meat tender and dry out the skin, then blasted at a high heat to make the skin crispy.
Guaranteed crispy skin tips
Here are my little tricks that make all the difference to ensure we get crispy skin!
DO NOT SCORE THE SKIN. A) you don’t need to score for crispy crackling. B) It’s risky. All it takes is an accidental pinprick piercing of the flesh and the juices that bubble up through that tiny hole will spread and result in a 10 cm/4″ patch of rubbery skin. While skilled butchers would never make this mistake, do you know who scored the pork belly you bought – an apprentice or a high school kid working in the grocery store meat department? No we do not! Don’t risk it.
Fridge dry – Dry the skin overnight in the fridge, uncovered. Even a few hours in the fridge is effective. This is an insurance policy step that is recommended. If you skip it (especially if your pork belly was vac packed) you are not allowed to complain if your pork belly is not as crazy crispy as mine! 😂
Level your pork – Use foil balls to level your pork belly so the skin is sitting as flat as possible. This will ensure even distribution of heat across your pork belly skin for superior crackling. If you don’t do this step, you’ll find that the lower points don’t crackle well – if at all.
And that, my friends, is all the pertinent information I need to impart for crispy crackling pork belly. Then just follow the simple recipe steps! Here’s a visual summary:
INGREDIENTS FOR PORK BELLY
Here’s what you need to make the crispy pork belly. Chinese five spice powder isn’t traditional but I like to add it for a touch of extra flavour. So consider it optional – there’s so many other things going on in banh mi, you won’t miss it.
Pork belly NOT SCORED – Look for a piece that is even thickness (rather than thin at one end and thicker at the other) with flat, smooth skin. This shape will crackle better and the flesh will cook through more evenly.
Not scored – As noted in the above section, make sure the skin is not scored. Check carefully if you buy a vac packed one because sometimes it’s hard to tell.
Oil – Just any neutral flavoured oil: canola, vegetable or peanut oil.
Salt – Essential for crackling. In fact, if you don’t put salt the skin, it won’t get that nice bubbly crispiness, it just becomes a flat sheet of hard skin.
Pepper – I actually like to use black pepper for pork belly, but white pepper is fine too.
Chinese five spice – As noted above, optional extra flavour!
How to make crispy pork belly for Banh Mi
The steps below are a slightly abbreviated version – because there is a LOT to say about crispy pork belly! For a full explanation of the why for particular steps and processes, please visit my Crispy Pork Belly recipe which has much more extensive information.
Fridge dry overnight or for a few hours, to really dry out the skin. This is a crispy crackling insurance policy that is especially recommended if you purchased your pork belly vac packed where the skin is fully soaked in juices for days/weeks! If you don’t have time, just pat the skin dry really well with paper towels.
Rub the flesh side with the oil, some of the salt, and all the pepper and Chinese Five spice.
Foil boat – Place the pork on a large sheet of foil and fold up the sides to create a “boat”. This holds all the pork fat in as it melts which keeps the flesh super juicy and moist. It’s essentially almost confit-ing in its own fat!
Salt the skin – Rub a bit of oil on the skin then sprinkle the salt evenly across the surface. Take your time with this step because as noted above in the ingredients section, salt = lovely bubbly crackling!
Slow roast for 2 hours at a low 140°C/275°F (all oven types). During this stage, the flesh will become beautifully tender and the skin will dry out but it will still be rubbery at this stage.
Oven temperature & time – For this recipe, I use the same oven temperature for both fan and standard ovens because at lower temperatures, there is less
difference between the two. Astute cooks may also note the time is slightly shorter than the Crispy Pork Belly recipe. This is because we don’t need the pork quite so “fall apart” for use in banh mi as it is chopped up into pieces.
Level the skin – After the slow roasting time, the pork will be a bit wonky (meat fibres shrink as they cook) and the skin will still be rubbery. Use foil balls to prop up the lower parts of the belly so the skin is as level as possible so the heat distribution will be more even across the surface and thereby ensuring it crackles evenly!
Here is what it looks like before and after levelling.
Crackle it! Then blast the pork belly in a hot 240°C/465°F (all oven types) for 30 minutes, rotating as needed (if your oven heat is patchy) and using scraps of foil if needed to protect parts that crackle faster.
Admire – Pull the pork out of the oven and admire the brilliant crackling you just made, and resist the urge to peel the whole sheet off and run away with it!
Once the pork belly is cooked, we cut it into thick slices then into chunks to stuff into the banh mi.
Other Crispy pork belly banh mi fixings
There’s no denying for this banh mi, the star player is the crispy pork. But the other elements are important too! Here’s what you need.
special banh mi sauce
The standard sauce for banh mi sandwiches is Maggi Seasoning (think of it as an MSG enhanced soy sauce) or a derivation thereof. And while it’s ideal for classic mystery pork slices banh mi, I personally never felt that it really worked with pork belly slices. For one, a watery sauce doesn’t cling to pork belly hunks. And for another, watery sauces softens crispy crackling faster. Criminal.
So when I saw the banh mi fairies at Ca Com drizzle a thick dark brown sauce on the pork belly, I broke out into applause. Genius! I declared. Followed by – what’s in it?
Here’s what’s in it!
pickled carrots and daikon
This is the most common type of pickles I’ve seen in banh mi. They are classic Asian pickles – the tang is not as sharp as Western ones (because rice vinegar is not as sharp as most western vinegars), and they are more sweet than salty (but not overly sweet like some western ones tend to be).
Using carrots and daikon is an easy way to ensure you get great crunch in the pickles! Find the recipe for these pickles here.
vegetables and herbs
Classic banh mi typical includes thin slices of cucumber and green onion, often cut to the length of the bread roll. It’s not much, but enough to add a hint of juicy crunch from the cucumber and freshness from green onion which jumbles together with everything else to create the greatness that is a banh mi eating experience.
SPREADS
As for the spreads, I’m sticking with tradition here: pâté and mayonnaise. If you skip the pâté, it ain’t a banh mi!😊
Making the banh mi
Putting the banh mi tougher is just about the order in which it is assembled. And stuffing generously. Nobody wants a stingy banh mi!!
Pate first – spread on the base of the roll.
Mayo next – then spread the mayonnaise on top of the pate.
Vegetables – Pile the pickled vegetables non the pate, then plate the cucumber slices and green onion against the lid of the roll.
Pork – Then pile the pork in!
Sauce & coriander – Next, shove plenty of coriander down the side of the pork and drizzle everything with the banh mi sauce. Be as generous as you want – I use about 1 tablespoon.
Garnish – And finally, garnish! As much fresh chilli as you dare and a shower of crispy shallots (if using).
And with that, you are done and about to experience one of the greatest sandwiches of your life!!
Why we make crispy pork belly banh mi
We here in Sydney are blessed with an increasing number of banh mi shops, ranging from modern funky ones to traditional banh mi stands in Vietnamese neighbourhoods. However, as noted earlier, it is actually quite hard to find really good pork belly banh mi, with the pork itself being the letdown. The meat is not that juicy, the crackling not always crispy.
Having said that, even if the meat is not perfect, it is still a very enjoyable sandwich, thanks to all the other banh mi fixings. They are also typically extremely good value, with an enormous amount of pork for the price you pay. I understand why they are popular!
But, this homemade version? It is better than any I’ve had in Sydney. You just can’t beat the experience of fresh homemade pork belly.
The other cause to make this of course, is if you do not happen to live in an area with (good) banh mi shops, and for cost reasons too because this recipe will make 5 generously stuffed banh mi for around $30 – $35, depending on the price you pay for pork belly.
I really hope you try this one day. It is truly an exceptional eating experience! – Nagi x
Recipe video above. The crispy pork belly version of the famous Vietnamese sandwich, inspired by Ca Com in Melbourne, a famous banh mi shop. Hands down one of the best sandwiches I have ever made in my life, and my favourite type of banh mi (all my recipes here). Excellent food for sharing with friends and Sunday lunches.
The Special Sauce is a copycat of the Ca Com sauce and it’s an excellent match for crispy pork – thicker so it clings and doesn’t soak and soften the skin or bread.
PS The recipe for the crispy skin pork belly is based on the much-loved Crispy Pork Belly recipe. So you can have confidence that your pork WILL have perfect crispy crackling!
Ingredients
Crispy pork belly for banh mi
1kg / 2 lbpork belly with skin on, NOT SCORED. Look for 3 – 3.5cm / 1.2 – 1.6″ thick, even thickness with flat, unwrinkled skin, preferably not vac-packed (Note 1)
1 1/2tspcanola or vegetable oil, divided
1/2tspChinese Five Spice, optional (you won’t miss it)
1tspcooking/kosher salt, divided
1/4tspblack pepper(or white pepper)
Special banh mi sauce (Ca Com copy!)
4tbspHoisin sauce
3tbspcoconut milk, full fat
1/2tspdark soy sauce(mainly for colour, sub light or regular soy)
To make the banh mi (5 rolls)
5crusty white rolls(lightly oven toast to crisp if crust is softened)
3green onion stems, cut to length of rolls (2 to 3 pieces per roll)
2cucumbers, finely sliced using vegetable peeled or knife
2cupscoriander/cilantro leavesand small sprigs
3Birds Eye or Thai chillis, finely sliced
8tbspcrispy fried shallots, store bought (Note 3)
Instructions
Crispy pork belly for banh mi
Dry skin overnight: Place pork belly on a plate. Pat skin dry with paper towels. Leave uncovered in fridge overnight to dry out the skin. (If you don’t have time, pat the skin dry as best you can).
Preheat oven to 140°C/285°F (both fan and standard ovens).
Season flesh: Drizzle flesh side with 1 tsp oil. Sprinkle over 1/2 tsp salt, and all the pepper and Chinese five spice. Rub all over the flesh, including on the sides.
Foil boat: Place 2 pieces of foil on a work surface. Put the belly in middle of foil, skin side up. Fold the sides in to enclose the belly, forming an open box, pinching corners to seal tightly and make it as snug as possible. Place meat on a tray.
Season skin: Pat skin dry with paper towels. Rub with 1/2 tsp oil then sprinkle remaining 1/2 tsp salt evenly all over the skin surface, from edge to edge.
Slow roast 2 hours: Place in the oven and roast for 2 hours, tightening the foil around the pork after 1 hour (the pork will shrink). This protects the flesh from drying out.
Increase heat: Remove pork from oven, then increase heat to 240°C/465°F (all oven types).
Level pork: Remove pork from foil, discard fat and foil. Place pork on a rack set over a tray. Use scrunched up balls of foil stuffed under pork to prop it up so the skin surface is as level and horizontal as possible (see photos in post).
30 minutes blast! Place the pork back in the oven for 30 minutes, rotating after 15 minutes as needed, until the crackling is deep golden, puffy and crispy all over. If some patches are browning faster, protect with foil patches.
Rest 10 minutes: Remove pork from oven. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Making the banh mi
Sauce – Mix the ingredients in a bowl then set aside. This will keep for 5 days in the fridge .
Chop pork – Cut the pork into 1 1/2 cm / 0.6″ thick slices, then each slide into 1 1/2 cm / 0.6″ chunks.
Split & spread – Split the roll in half down the side, keeping the lid attached. Smear the base with 1 1/2 tbsp of pate, then 1 1/2 tbsp of mayonnaise (on top of the pate)
Stuff – Pile about 1/3 cup pickled vegetables on the mayonnaise. Lay 2 slices of cucumber and 2 green onions against the lid. Pile pork on top. Drizzle pork with 1 tbsp of sauce. Stuff coriander/cilantro down the side, sprinkle with chilli then2 tablespoons of crispy shallots as you want (if using).
Serving – Eat immediately! Banh mi is definitely one of those foods best eaten freshly made!
Recipe Notes:
1. Pork Belly – Best to get one that has not been vacuum-packed (juices soak skin). If your belly is vac-packed, I really recommend doing the overnight drying uncovered in the fridge.
Look for a piece with flat, even skin as wrinkly skin doesn’t crackle as well (in the ridges, because heat can’t get to it as well).
Do NOT get one that is scored. It is a plain fact that you do NOT need to score for perfect crackling (read proof here!) All too often, butchers do poor scoring jobs and pierce through the fat into the flesh. Even the tiniest prick will cause meat juices to bubble up onto the skin and you’ll end up with rubbery patches.
2. Pate – or other pate of choice, but not orange or other flavoured
3. Crispy fried shallots – Sold in packs and tubs at regular grocery stores in the Asian aisle. Ca Com finishes their pork belly banh mi with a shower of crispy fried shallots! It definitely adds an extra touch, with crunchy salty goodness. But it’s optional because it is still excellent without.
4. Pork belly storage and reheating – Pork belly keeps and reheats well, and the crackling stays crispy. If not using cooked pork immediately, loosely cover with foil (it’s ok, the skin will stay crispy!) and it will be good for an hour to use for the banh mi. If intentionally making ahead, separate the crackling from the meat and reheat the cracking in the oven (crispy!) and meat in the microwave (retains moisture).
