Human Security?

Those who know me know that I love to organize, plan events and to meet people. So what better job could there be than that of a conference organizer? I really enjoy my job and I am quite happy that I spent the past few months working with Initiatives of Change. The Human Security conference promises to be not only interesting, but inspiring.

Sitting here on the third floor in Caux, admiring the absolutely gorgeous view outside, I realize that I am both nervous and anxious for the conference to begin. Participants start arriving today. CB and MM come sometime this afternoon and so do our other conference assistants. It's been great so far, and I've enjoyed welcoming Caux scholar alumni and other participants to Caux. I am so excited about this Human Insecurity conference and once it begins, I know I'll want it to last forever:) In light of my excitement, I have been reflecting on human insecurity.

What does "Addressing the Root Causes of Human Insecurity" mean to the world and how can the idea of human security be translated into a reality that the average person understands and can implement into his daily life? Recent press coverage on security has been overwhelmingly aimed at a discussion on national security- terrorism, war and conflict. But how is human security different than national security and how do we (you and I) work together to address this difference?

When I think of human security, I think of basic needs such as water, food, shelter and protection from armed conflict. In the media, in addition to articles on war and conflict, we now find ourselves bombarded by a new type of articles that discuss environmental security, economic security and food security, instead of only "national security." Topics that may not have been on your and my agenda before this year are now at the center of our conversations and our attention. How do we deal with higher food prices and the escalating price of gas? The conflict is no longer a world way; it has come home and it is now affecting our daily lives. How do we work together to solve these problems, not just after they occur but before? Can we work together in an efficient manner? How can Initiatives of Change add new inspiration and provide, through its spiritual emphasis, a new dimension of examining human security?

These questions and others will be answered in the Caux Forum on Human Security taking place in Caux between July 18 and July 23rd. We are in the process of setting up a Human Security conference blog for your input. Keep reading and I'll provide that web link as soon as it's ready.

The power of sorry...

Recently the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, apologized for the "indignity and degradation" it caused to Aboriginals and specifically those of the stolen generation. Millions around the country joined the government in saying sorry to Aboriginals in a mass emotional outpouring. Aboriginals could be seen hand in hand with Australians as the government officially acknowledged Aboriginal history and pain. Yet, this apology by Prime Minister Rudd did not happen overnight.

JB, along with other members of the Australian National Sorry Day Committee worked persistently for ten years across Australia, within the grass roots and the parliament, before the government finally decided to make a formal apology to the Aboriginal people. But why did this apology, as shown in the video above, move millions of people to tears and mean so much to both the Aboriginal and Australian people?

Why was an apology so important? For decades, various International Relations scholars have minimized the importance of ideas in predicting the behavior of states, and yet ideas hold such a critical effect that they can never be ignored. For the Australian Aboriginals who had suffered immensely, acknowledgment of their pain and history was the first step in healing the wounded memories from decades gone past. Shortly after Australia made its apology, Canada followed by issuing a similar apology.

I was very moved by this Caux presentation from the Initiatives of Change Australia team, who did a tremendous amount of work to make the idea of a National Sorry Day become a reality. Yet, I wondered about the significance of saying sorry. What effect would saying such a simple word have on my life? One of the Australians who spoke mentioned that before he could work toward an official apology from the Australian government, he first had to make amends with his own brother. One of the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi that has been adopted by Initiatives of Change is to “be the change that you see in the world.” Gandhi emphasized the importance of personal change before social change. Yet how did this affect me?

I began wondering about the power of apology in my own life. Like many of us, I have made several mistakes in life. Making mistakes seem to be a natural part of life. The true strength, according to JB, is in first recognizing our mistakes and then having the strength to apologize for them. Forgiveness and reconciliation are keys to change. When we hold on to wounded memories, we burden ourselves with emotional baggage. JB mentioned that our bitterness ends up affecting us more than it affects the other person.

For years I have been carrying around a burden with me in my own life and it has negatively affected my present and past situation. So maybe the time has finally come: for me to apologize, put my pride away, and say, “I’m only human, I made a mistake and I’m sorry.” Easier said than done, but I know that if I find the strength to apologize, it will set me free.

My first step lay in recognizing that I am no more perfect or imperfect than anyone else and that each of us makes mistakes. Our strength comes from having the ability to recognize our mistakes and making amends for them. For in the sight of God no one is perfect.

I made a list of all the people I wanted to apologize to and I’m going to say I’m sorry. For if the Australian government could apologize for the way it treated an entire generation of people, who am I not to say sorry?

Caux, Switzerland

After a delayed flight from London, Heathrow, I finally made it into Geneva. I was excited to be here and more excited to get to Caux. On the plane, I met a wonderful Bahamian gal. Switzerland was her break from regular life and she looked forward to her summers here! What a wonderful life to be able to enjoy vacations in Europe! I'm even more thankful that I have this opportunity to be in Caux this summer. I love my job and I'm so excited for the Human Security conference to start!

Upon boarding the train from Montreux to Caux, I met the conference coordinator of the Global Servant Leadership conference. As I was arriving, she was returning to Ukraine. On board the train, I realized that I had forgotten how beautiful Caux was. Located in the middle of the Alps and overlooking Lake Geneva, the place itself seems to be a physical symbol for the word "peace." No wonder it has been the location of forgiveness, peacebuilding and reconciliation since World War two. Majestic green Alpine trees, the crystal clear blue water of Lake Geneva and the beauty of it all meant that I was really here- back in Caux.

Walking into the doors and checking into my room was quite an overwhelming feeling. I came by myself, but yet I did not feel alone. I felt as if all the other Caux Scholars were here with me. This place holds so many good memories: lively political discussions in the Villa Maria, our trip to the United Nations in Geneva, late nights and dancing at the Caux Cafe and amazing, amazing Caux scholars and faculty whom I had the great honor of meeting. I really feel like they are all here with me and I can't wait for those Caux Scholar alumni who will return for the reunion and the conferences.

On the other hand, I realize that my experience in Caux this summer will be different. This is a new beginning. In my position as Conference Coordinator for the Human Security conference, I will experience a whole different aspect of Caux: the inner workings, the administation and logistic side of the conference, and most importantly how people work in harmony to create a space for reconciliation and forgiveness to take place. I'm about to learn how to create peace and I'm super excited!