For some time now, I have wanted to feature the organization New Story Leadership for the Middle East on this blog. I was partnered with its founder, Paul Costello, in an activity at a conference a few years back. Perhaps someday Paul will be part of this Q&A series. In the meantime, a Q&A with staff member Michael Galbraith seems like an excellent way to introduce readers to the important work of New Story Leadership for the Middle East. This Q&A will run over the next several days.
Bio: Michael Galbraith is the social-media and outreach manger for New 
Story Leadership for the Middle East. Here’s his bio in his own words: “In this role, I am responsible for the management and coordination of our social-media network and increasing the brand awareness of our program in Washington, DC. Prior to my work here in the United States, I was a political consultant and campaign manager for Mr. Michael Copeland, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly. It was in this role, that I first discovered social media and its potential in advertising. My background in New Story Leadership comes from my love of history, I am a master’s graduate from Queen’s University Belfast, specialising in American and Irish History. Through my love of history, I was connected to Mr. Paul Costello, and seemingly was one of the few people in the world never to have met him! Paul has helped me immensely with my quest on getting to America and continues to this day in my daily toil to get a coveted visa to work here full-time. As of writing, I am managing the social-media advertisement of our 2012 Program, which is due to begin in the summer, and I am continuing to manage the day-to-day running of NSL’s social-media network.”
Q&A with Michael Galbraith, Question 1:
Q: How did you initially become involved with story/storytelling /narrative? What attracted you to this field? What do you love about it?
A: I first became interested in storytelling primarily because of Mr. Paul Costello. Paul has been at the forefront of narrative history for over 20 years through his work with not only New Story Leadership for the Middle East, but also Washington, Ireland, South Africa Washington Program, and The Centre for Narrative Studies. His passion for telling a new story, one of peace, mutual respect, and understanding has resonated with a great number of people over the years. As someone from Northern Ireland, I instantly understood the objectives of what Paul was doing because in areas of conflict, old stories have had the result of igniting blind hatred amongst young people for generations. The approach of New Story Leadership for the Middle East is to dispel these myths by bringing diverse groups together so that they can learn the truth of one another, which in turn can foster a new beginning and new hope for the region.
