Interview with Mohammad Asfour: Leading positive (green) community development

Authors

  • Mohammad Asfour

Keywords:

positive leadership, positive community development, volunteerism, green building, wellbeing, Jordan

Abstract

In this volume of the Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, we explore the views, hopes, and current research agendas of those working to advance knowledge in the field of positive psychology within the MENA region, or who research aspects of culture and religion relevant to it. We are also interested in those who practise in uncovering the excellence in the region and whose work is guided by positive psychology principles. Here, we discuss with Jordanian born, Canadian Mohammad Asfour, his thoughts on positive community development and the green building movement, a new partner in the quest for greater wellbeing in the region.

Author Biography

Mohammad Asfour

Mohammad Asfour has a Masters’ degree in Positive Leadership and Strategy from the IE Business School in Madrid, Spain and is now the Regional Head of the MENA Network of the World Green Building Council. Former chair of the World GBC’s MENA Regional Network and the Jordan Green Building Council, he also served as Senior Adviser to the USAID Energy Sector Capacity Building Programme and as the Environment, Water and Energy Sector Lead with the USAID Jordan Economic Development Program. He was an adviser to the Board of Trustees of the Princess Sumaya University for Technology, founded the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship, and worked on developing the concept behind El Hassan Science City. He also started Ahel Al Balad, a non-political, community-based movement that aims to build ethical, cohesive, and compassionate communities by bringing Jordanian citizens together to create a better reality through initiatives of common interest.

References

Cameron, K. (2008). Positive leadership: Strategies for extraordinary performance. San Francisco, CA (USA): Berrett-Koehler.

Cameron, K. (2011). Responsible leadership as virtuous leadership. Journal of Business Ethics, 98, 25-35.

Dutton, J, E., & Spreitzer, G. (Eds.) (2014). How to be a positive leader: Small actions, big impact. San Francisco, CA (USA): Berrett-Koehler.

Hoffman, A. J., & Ehrenfeld, J. R. (2013). Flourishing: A frank conversation about sustainability. Stanford, CA (USA): Stanford University Press.

Neto, L. M., & H.Á. Marujo. (2014). Positive community psychology and positive community development: Research and intervention as transformative-appreciative actions. In H. A. Marujo & L. M. Neto (Eds.), Positive nations and communities (pp. 209–230). London, UK: Springer.

O’Brien, C. (2012). Sustainable happiness and well-being: Future directions for positive psychology. Psychology, 3(12A), 1196-1201.

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Published

2017-12-15

How to Cite

Asfour, M. (2017). Interview with Mohammad Asfour: Leading positive (green) community development. Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, 3(1), 47–51. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastjournalofpositivepsychology.org/index.php/mejpp/article/view/59

Issue

Vol. 3 (2017): Interviews with Positive Psychology Experts

Section

English Article Manuscripts

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