(from combined UPF reports- visit www.Youthfederation.org for more information)

Delhi, India - Character education is gaining momentum in India as young people increasingly realize that personal integrity is as important for future success as conventional academic achievement.

On a recent trip to Asia from YFWP headquarters in Washington, DC, YFWP Vice President Yeqing Victor Li was a featured speaker at several events at schools and universities near the nation's capital, organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and YFWP-India. Li encouraged students to excel in their fields of study, but urged them to work together beyond boundaries of caste or religion. "As Young Ambassadors for Peace," Li said, "if you truly take ownership of the vision of one family under God you can travel anywhere and always be at home. You can contribute to a future of peace not only in India but throughout the world."

St. Stephens, the most prestigious college of Delhi University, hosted a training on August 21. The college has an active social service league, and 100 of the college's 1,200 students have been named Young Ambassadors for Peace. The principal, Dr. Valson Thampu, envisions the college as a "peace laboratory" and has made plans for more Youth Leadership Training programs throughout the year.

Former Indian Ambassador to Nepal K.V. Rajan, the president of the Association of Indian Diplomats and former secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, and Mrs. Geetha Rajan arranged a one-day training on August 24 at the International Institute for Learning in Management Business School. Approximately 100 students attended the program, and a one-day follow-up training is planned.

Later in the month, Young Ambassador for Peace leadership training was also offered to students at several Kendriya Vidyalayas, a network of special schools for children of government officials and military officers. Harcourt Butler, NP, and Sarojini Nagar schools also hosted programs. The trainings, which include videos, discussions, and activities from UPF's Discovering the Real Me character education curriculum, are widely appreciated by teachers, principals, and students.

Government ministers showed interest in expanding this training to other parts of the country in preparation for the Global Peace Festival planned for 2010. India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports national program, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangatan, is the largest government youth body in the world, and YFWP-India has been invited to join its National Integration Camp and conduct young leadership training in various states of India.

There is also interest in integrating YFWP's Young Ambassador for Peace program into the programs of the National Service Scheme, India's largest student-led movement with links to the community.


The Youth Federation for World Peace is a global alliance of young leaders and youth-related organizations dedicated to building a world of peace in which everyone can live in freedom, harmony, cooperation and co-prosperity. For more information on YFWP-UPF education and leadership programs in India contact UPF-India at upfindia@gmail.com

Athletic competition has brought rivals together in peace since Spartans and Athenians met to test their skills in ancient Olympia. With its emphasis on fair play, team work, self discipline, and respect for the skill and athleticism of competitors, sports provides a natural bridge between cultures, religions, ethnic groups, and nations.

The summer 2009 Interfaith Sports for Peace Carnival in Perth, Australia, welcomed groups from diverse cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds for a day of games, sports, and cultural celebrations. The carnival was organized by John XXIII College, the Muslim Social Sports Association, the Youth Federation for World Peace, the Peace Dream Foundation, and the Youth Adult Division of Buddha's Light International Association. In addition to rugby, basketball, volleyball, and soccer competitions, children sang and danced, and performances such as the Kompang, Bangra dance, and Filipino bamboo dance showcased Australia’s diverse cultural traditions. Sports for Peace was originally founded by the Peace Dream Foundation, and in Melbourne it is held in November.

Carnival participants were also encouraged to make posters about peace, enabling people from different backgrounds to freely relate to one another, while exploring the meaning of peace and tolerance. “Through the poster we got to learn about other faiths, said Rachel Howard; “although I am not personally religious, I thought it was a good exercise.”

“Having the kids do posters as a team helped to keep the group focused on building friendship,” said Diana Phang, a teacher from Australian Islamic College.

“They learn about one another's religion and understanding of the different faiths by playing together and living peacefully,” agreed a chaplain at Prebysterian Ladies College, Reverend Elke. “For me, it is enlightening to break an old mental perception when I see Muslim girls in scarfs kicking the ball at a soccer match! I hope a program will be done as a follow-up so that these students who are now friends can continue to develop their relationships.”

While the carnival was a fun and enriching experience for children, teachers and volunteers also benefited from the emphasis on peace building. “The vision of John XXIII was to live in harmony and accept one another, and the college has always been promoting this,” said Mr. Mark Antulov, the deputy principal of John XXIII College, “but this event made it a reality—did you see how that blond girl picked up that Muslim girl and gave her a hug when she fell? That’s beautiful to see.”

Robert Dale, a teacher with the Australian Islamic College, agreed. “As teachers, this event give us opportunity to see how our kids interact with other kids outside their own school. The success of this event is based on how the kids show compassion for each other.”

For some young people, making friends and playing sports was just part of the experience. Fourteen-year-old Najat Kamsani from Australian Islamic College said, “Its more fun than last year….we have good team leaders from John XXIII College who made us feel at home immediately. I noticed that this year team leaders are better prepared, more able and have good leadership qualities.”

“We don’t care whether we win or loose," her friend Nisa Mohamed added, “it’s the fun and friendship that matters.”

Participating schools included Australian Islamic College, Presbyterian Ladies College, Seton College, Kent Ridge High School, and Carrinyup High School. In 2010 similar events will be organized by three schools in Perth.

Fazida Razak
Youth Federation for World Peace
Join a Federation of Young Leaders by becoming an Ambassador for Peace: http://tinyurl.com/youthfed21

My senior year of college is about to start, and it seems that it’s finally my time to take the reigns at the university and lead the different groups I’ve been involved in for the past three years. Don’t get me wrong, I am ready and willing to assume my role, but I have recently been thinking about what it really takes to be a good leader. Foolishly, I went to the Internet for answers. My search turned up an endless stream of advice from everyone—George Patton to Groucho Marx. GoodSearch can be plenty helpful, but one thing a search engine cannot tell you is how to lead. I’ve found that that question can only be answered by yourself.

Fortunately, I stopped looking to others for answers, and I thought about my own requirements for leadership. I came up with three “pillars” of leadership. Of course, each person finds his or her own path to leadership, but I find that every person that I have ever respected has had the following attributes:

Passion: Above all else, a leader needs to truly believe in his or her mission. Passion breeds commitment, and commitment breeds determination. If a leader has passion, that fervor is transferred to followers and creates an unbreakable resolve. At times, this means being a cheerleader for a cause that no one else notices. It means motivating your team, and pulling them through any adversity.

Openness: I have been in many organizations, committees, and groups where things start to go awry when the leadership refuses to listen to every opinion. Being open to all ideas ensures that every voice receives equal consideration. Openness also involves compromise. Once you hear every opinion, you have to be willing to make concessions.

Organization: Most people may not put this one in a top list of leadership skills, but I find it to be one of the most important. I value someone who can run a meeting smoothly, plan an event seamlessly, and manage any group with deference. I also find that the most organized leaders often better anticipate problems and handle them most effectively.

There are certainly thousands, if not millions, of other attributes that describe good leaders, but I find that Passion, Openness, and Organize encompass what I would like to be. I believe that every young leader, especially Youth Ambassador’s for Peace, should aspire to exhibit these qualities. A successful young leader that evokes passion, openness, and organization will inspire any group and undoubtedly be a leader for many years to come.

Trent, Youth Fed. Intern
Social Media Team
Youth Federation for World Peace
Join a Federation of Young Leaders by becoming an Ambassador for Peace: http://tinyurl.com/youthfed21

Young leaders from around the globe spent three days focusing on some of the world’s most demanding problems ranging from world hunger to protecting the environment. Some 700 people from 50 different countries took part in the Sixth Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations in New York on August 5-7, 2009.
The annual assembly showcases programs that address global and local issues, offering opportunities for students and professionals ages 18 to 26 to network with people from many nations and be empowered to take leadership roles in their communities. “I think it’s our responsibility to empower young people and to show young people that change can happen because of their efforts,” said Elaine Valdov, the assembly’s secretary general.

"So many people come together from different countries, and different backgrounds, different religions and different races,” observed Yu Wanzhen, a representative of Tzu Chi, an international charity founded on Buddhist principles. “It’s a really good experience to meet so many people doing the same things that we do."

The Youth Federation for World Peace (YFWP) has been an active participant in past years, and this year's delegation included young leaders from Kenya, Niger, Sweden, and the United States. The Kenyan delegation was partially sponsored by UNESCO and officially represented the nation with endorsement from the Kenya Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister’s office. All delegates received diplomatic visas from the US Embassy.

In addition, YFWP organized an interfaith breakout session on the theme of “Interreligious Modalities in the Accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals.” The keynote speaker, Dr. Arun Gandhi, expressed hope that this generation will learn from his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi’s living example of non-violence. "I am hoping to plant some seeds," he said. "Then, the responsibility will be theirs whether to nurture those seeds or let them go to waste."

The 70 Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and other faiths at the session discussed ways to raise awareness and develop interfaith cooperation and collaboration. They talked about approaches to overcome the prejudice and differences that make people hesitant to work together.

The session was coordinated by Justin Fong, Executive Director of the Youth Federation for World Peace USA, with the advice of Rev. Zoe Chang, President of the UN Women’s Guild.

The Universal Peace Federation hosted 40 delegates at its office UN Relations. Director of the UN and International Affairs, Mr. Taj Hamad, described UPF’s vision for renewing the United Nations by assisting the UN Missions in promoting the introduction of an interreligious council at the United Nations.

The conference, which focused on the eight UN Millennium Development Goals, was endorsed by the Permanent Missions of Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Liechtenstein. The UN Department of Public Information and the UN Programme on Youth were full partners. The program was created and directed by the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, Inc., and the International Institute for a Culture of Peace.

“Only the youth can spread knowledge and truth about Muslims in this generation.” –Musa, a fifteen-year-old student from the Bronx

I recently finished a the book This is Where I need to Be: Oral Histories of Muslim Youth in NYC, which recounts the stories of growing up in New York City from the perspective of 23 Muslim teenagers. I originally picked the book off of the library shelf because it helped a research project I was conducting. Soon enough though, it became more than just another citation in a bibliography. This book opens up the lives of these students, revealing what is most important to them and what has and will shape their lives.

I have read over many other oral histories and talked with many Muslim-American students, but I was particularly struck by the poignant way in which this book cuts to the heart of these students’ lives. Instead of repeating typical themes such as moving to America and overcoming culture shock, the testimonials demonstrate ideas like institutional racism and stereotyping in everyday settings. The stories are like snapshots of the youths—they expose what the students think at feel at that moment.

What I liked most about this approach was how relatable the stories became. One young woman tells about her struggles with her religion and her ex-boyfriend. A young man recounts the journey of faith that he underwent after his father passed away. Another tells of his dreams of becoming an international journalist. These examples, fortunately, do not strike the normal cliché of “I’m just like everyone else” or a theme focusing on the students’ religion. Instead, each account strikes a balance between similarities with American youth and the unique circumstances of each participant. Thanks to this balance, I felt connected to the storyteller and was better able to step into their shoes if only for a moment.

Through true accounts like these, we begin to understand one another, to find connection in both our similarities and differences. These experiences allow us to reach out to others under the common belief in God, no matter how we express that belief. Thanks to this book, I now have a challenge for myself and everyone else: listen—listen to what youth have say, what they truly care about, and how they view the world.

Trent, Youth Fed. Intern
Social Media Team
Youth Federation for World Peace
http://tinyurl.com/yfedfacebook, www.twitter.com/youthfed

Join a Federation of Young Leaders by becoming an Ambassador for Peace: http://tinyurl.com/youthfed21

Conflict between Israel and Palestine has inflamed the region for decades, with violence and instability undermining peaceful relations throughout the Middle East and affecting international relations around the globe.

Loosening this historic “knot” and achieving reconciliation among Jews, Muslims, and Christians—all “children of Abraham”—has been the singular challenge of a series of initiatives of the Universal Peace Federation and, more recently, the Youth Federation for World Peace, which emphasizes the role of youth leadership. These peace initiatives, now numbering 41, have brought thousands of peace ambassadors from all over the world to the Holy Land and drawn support from a broad range of peace partners, such as Martin Luther King III’s Realizing the Dream, Faith Link from Europe, Mashatzim and High Cloud in Israel, and many others.

Coming from many backgrounds, the international delegates bring a fresh perspective to the conflict, and a recognition that everyone ultimately is a stakeholder in bringing peace to the region. The young leaders who join these delegations are committed to listening to both sides, exploring common ground rooted in shared aspects of faith, experiencing and celebrating the cultures of the Middle East, and bringing an ethic of service to the respective communities.
“Because we are all a big family, their conflict is also my conflict; their suffering is my suffering,” said one French participant from the recently concluded International Young Leaders Conference from June 21 through July 4, 2009. “I could feel this love for people very strongly. ‘One human being is happy and the whole humankind is happy.’ That was my motto. I tried to be a happy human being and to make my brothers and sisters happy.”

During this conference, delegates from Europe, the United States, and Israel and Palestine committed themselves to a program of service that from the first night signaled an intent to cross religious boundaries in the search for peace. The group of Muslims, Christians, and Jews spent their first night sleeping in the pilgrim’s living quarters of St. Alexander’s Church and in the morning were enlisted to support the Palestinian Orthodox Society, with tasks ranged from sandpapering 130-year old windows to dusting antique icons of the Church, as well as arranging the garden and bouquets.

During these first days in Jerusalem, delegates met with Israeli and Arab students at Hebrew University, gained the perspective of Eyal Raviv, founder of MEpeace.org; toured the Old City; helped develop curricula for Bethlehem’s SOS Children’s Village orphanage, and enjoyed a morning of sports with children at Yefe Nof Elementary school. Later they would return to visit the most holy sites of the Abrahamic faiths in the Golden City: the Western Wall, the sacred remnant of Israel’s Second Temple; the Dome of the Rock, one of Islam’s most ancient and holiest sites; and the Mount of Olives, where Jesus prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane.

“Meeting, experiencing and serving people from both sides of the camp really taught me something invaluable,” says Richard Graham, a British participant; “it is in meeting and understanding that we can see each perspective, and through serving we can build this heart to heart connection as brothers and sisters of humanity.”

Leaving Jerusalem and traveling to the north, the delegation first stopped to visit the magnificent Baha’i Gardens overlooking Haifa, then drove east to Nazareth and to the area of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent most of his early life. Listening to Jesus’ sermon of the Beatitudes while admiring the Sea of Galilee, and visiting other historic sites of Jesus’ life, participants could better appreciate the inspiration of the Holy Land on the faiths of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Before departing Galilee, participants boarded a boat on the beautiful inland sea and enjoyed a taste of Arab culture, dancing on the water to their joyful music.

The following days, June 27 and 28, were spent in Bethlehem, presently under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Participants were given a tour and historical presentation of the Dhesheish Refugee Camp and later helped at the site of the Bethlehem School for Computer Literacy by moving tiling, cement bags, and rubble. High Cloud provided a generous financial contribution for the construction of this school. The afternoon included a visit to the SOS Children’s Village orphanage, subsidized by European donors, where delegates made presentations from High Cloud’s education curricula as well as designed education materials that included nutrition, environmental stewardship, sports, English and geography.

In the afternoon, the group toured Ramallah in the West Bank and heard a presentation by One Voice, a grassroots movements that is politically active in trying to end the conflict in Israel and Palestine. Later the delegation met Service for Peace representative David Walsh, who also introduced the Pluralistic Synagogue Project that he helped to coordinate. Over the course of three days, the group helped the Pluralistic Synagogue to renovate its property by weeding, clearing dead trees, decorating window frames with stained glass, constructing a sukka or temporary shelter and repairing holy books. Members put their heart into the service, wanting to do their best in leaving something long-lasting behind in Israel. The change from before and after the project was dramatic—an overgrown thicket of underbrush transformed into a beautifully manicured garden and tidied interior.

“I could feel the change in the people and the joy we brought to them even just by doing small things,” reflected the Italian delegate Jeremy Cirelli. “I’m sure that just as hatred was passed on through generations, joy will be passed on in the same way.”

The group also seized the opportunity to visit Yad Vashem, or the Holocaust Museum. Though it is not an easy place to digest, members felt it was necessary to understand more the heart and strength of the Jewish people.

Although peace remains a distant goal, participants gained new insight and planted seeds of peace and reconciliation through many acts of service and compassionate listening. “I found it most rewarding to not only go beyond taking sides, but also go beyond neutrality and passivity,” said Richard Graham. “I feel this trip enabled me to take steps closer to becoming an individual who goes beyond sects and cliques, and who learn to serve both sides through sincere understanding of each situation and position.”

“I was sometimes asking myself how me being here can actually help achieve something, when it comes to peace,” said Norwegian Kristie Krockow. “I’ve understood that in order to deal with individuals and create peace between people, you always have to start with small steps. In this way, we are showing people that we care about their situation.”

This kind of human diplomacy can add an essential dimension to the work of politicians and diplomats. Such people-to-people exchanges bring a growing recognition that “we are a big family,” and that when conflict disrupts the lives of any people, there is no true peace.


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This original post can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/ncqnlx

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.” -- Maria Montessori

One of my favorite online news sources, the Common Ground News Service, released a series of articles this week on the importance of education in building a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. Three contributors—Gershon Baskin, CEO of the Israel Palestine Center for Research and Information, Reem Al Shareef, principal of the Qurtuba School in Hebron, Palestine, and Mike Prashker, founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Shared Citizenship in Israel—commented on their view of peace education in the region. While the authors all had obvious biases, this trio of articles imparts an important message about the role of informing students about the past.

As practitioners within their respective school systems, Al Shareef and Prashker both tried to paint rosy pictures of how each side now teaches all children the tenants of peace. However, I think Mr. Baskin most accurately described the situation in both education systems. Baskin states that even though Palestinian authorities have been criticized in the past for unfairly depicting their Jewish neighbors in textbooks, Israeli books fail to meet the same test. “It is easy to infer implied assumptions on both sides that the other nation should not exist,” observes Mr. Baskin. This view suggests that both sides need to critically review what and how they teach students.

I agree with all three authors when they state that a group of people has a right to convey its own version of history through its textbooks, but I also believe that a given version of events should not ignore other views. An essential part of learning is the process of critical thinking—being able to read multiple views of an issue and form judgments based on those varied accounts. I realize that textbooks are one of the least likely sources of prejudice, but they could be an important part of promoting peace. And in the arena of teaching about peace, both sides fail again. Al Shareef even admits that modern Palestinian curriculum does not “convey a peace-oriented mindset.” However, by switching from a tone of hostility to one that approaches history with emphasis on negotiating peace and ending war, mindsets could be changed.

Moreover, incorporating peace into education is not a naïve approach to conflict. In fact, education had become a major priority in international security. In April, I visited the headquarters of the OSCE in Bosnia, and each speaker emphasized the importance of changing Bosnian education. Following the horrific events of the 1990’s, the OSCE has used educational curriculum to uphold peace between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks. Tensions are certainly still high in the Balkans, but using peaceful educational tools is still helping to patch together this severely scarred region.

Using this example, education officials the world over would be wise to head the lessons of Bosnia and Israel. Educating youth is a powerful tool. Children are blank slates. If we truly intend to seek peace, we will use messages of love and understanding to full those slates rather than violence and hate.

Trent, Youth Fed. Intern
Social Media Team
Youth Federation for World Peace

http://tinyurl.com/yfedfacebook, www.twitter.com/youthfed

Join a Federation of Young Leaders by becoming an Ambassador for Peace: http://tinyurl.com/youthfed21

Surrounded by the heady smell of fresh goulash and the buzzing sounds of friendly chitchat, the realization hit me suddenly. I quickly started to piece together the meaning my situation. Having just performed a 2-hour choral concert in the small Hungarian town of Debrecen, the local church community had prepared a gathering between the parish and my choir. The normal apprehension and simple small talk that seems to always happen when people of different cultures, with different languages, meet for the first time, however, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the locals and my fellow choir members quickly jumped into deep and animated conversations about everything from American movies to poetry to politics. Why did we get along so well without ever having spoken before? Well, in truth, we had already been communicating for the past two hours.

Two hours before the dinner, I stepped on stage, along with 24 fellow college singers, full of nerves. Soon enough, however, my anxiety melted away as I looked into the audience to find the attentive and friendly faces of Hungarian peasants. The crowd seemed to love every word, every note. Even though we did not sing a single song in Hungarian, I know that they understood perfectly the message that we tried to convey. Our repertoire ranged from classical Latin masses, contemporary and secular American works, settings of Shakespeare, Spanish folksongs, to American spirituals. With every new piece, the audience got a better understanding of our lives and our culture; so, by the time we sat down to break bread, the audience, now our gracious hosts, already knew us.

What I realized was the overwhelming power of sharing culture. We sang Renaissance Catholic music in the largest synagogue in Bucharest, Romania, traditional Hebrew works in a 12th Century cathedral, and American spirituals in the Romanian parliament. And each new audience reacted with the same enthusiasm and delight. Even though they had never heard these songs and could hardly understand the words, they could appreciate our effort and artistry.

My experience in the concert halls of Eastern Europe taught me the true value of sharing culture. Our simple act of singing for different towns across Hungary and Romania formed a formidable bond between my choir and each audience. It’s no wonder that countries often use cultural exchanges as precursors to major interactions or negotiations. The visit of the American Ping-Pong Team to China in 1971 paved the way for President Richard Nixon’s famous visit nearly one year later. Performances by the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang, North Korea in early 2008 marked the first time a large group of Americans, including journalists, were allowed into the country.

But not every cultural event needs to be of such importance though. No matter how small, any regular interaction between groups builds relationships and hopefully, eventually, understanding. By first appealing to a person’s traditions (like music appreciation or sports enthusiasm), bigger bridges can be built.

I know that the concerts I gave in Hungary and Romania didn’t send massive shockwaves through the world of diplomacy, but I also know that it left an equally important imprint on me. If similar exchanges were repeated every day, then everyone would be better equipped to understand and empathize.


Trent, Youth Fed. Intern
Social Media Team
Youth Federation for World Peace

http://tinyurl.com/yfedfacebook, www.twitter.com/youthfed

Join a Federation of Young Leaders by becoming an Ambassador for Peace: http://tinyurl.com/youthfed21

National Faith & Neighborhood Partnerships Day
is in San Francisco!

The National Conference on Service and Volunteering holds the national gathering place for the leaders of the faith and interfaith service community. The day specifically is aimed at convening those of many faiths and around a message that active service to others, in addition to dialogue, is a way to bridge divides, heal neighborhoods and help understand each other.

This year it’s in San Francisco on June 23rd, which offers the opportunity for those in the Bay area to participate fully and have their voice heard in a national forum, with speakers from the White House, among others.

At the beginning of a new administration, we are proud to have as our keynote, Rev Joshua DuBois, President Barack Obama’s new Faith Director, who will speak about the President’s new ideas for the faith and interfaith agenda, and also listen to those who participate. It’s an opportunity you should not miss.

Some of the attractions of the day are:
• A model interfaith prayer breakfast;
• A Keynote by Joshua DuBois, which will outline President Obama’s new strategy for engaging faith communities across America;
• A series of potentially fascinating conversations and workshops including “the Rise of the International Agenda,” and “Innovative Community Partnerships,” among others;
• A guided tour around the Tenderloin district, a look at one of that vibrant neighborhood’s most active hubs, Glide Memorial Church;
• Some of the leading thinkers and doers from the Faith and Service community, and from many faiths and diverse ethnicities;
• A screening of a movie about how the proposed building of a mosque that initially caused consternation in a local American community, ended up being the catalyst to bring it together.

You need to register beforehand. It’s simple and costs just $30 for the whole day, including a free breakfast. Press this link and follow the prompts:
http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/plan/faith-neighborhood-day.cfm

National Faith & Neighborhood Partnerships Day is in San Francisco this year

The National Conference on Service and Volunteering holds the national gathering place for the leaders of the faith and interfaith service community. The day specifically is aimed at convening those of many faiths and around a message that active service to others, in addition to dialogue, is a way to bridge divides, heal neighborhoods and help understand each other.

This year it’s in San Francisco on June 23rd, which offers the opportunity for those in the Bay area to participate fully and have their voice heard in a national forum, with speakers from the White House, among others.

At the beginning of a new administration, we are proud to have as our keynote, Rev Joshua DuBois, President Barack Obama’s new Faith Director, who will speak about the President’s new ideas for the faith and interfaith agenda, and also listen to those who participate. It’s an opportunity you should not miss.

Some of the attractions of the day are:
• A model interfaith prayer breakfast;
• A Keynote by Joshua DuBois, which will outline President Obama’s new strategy for engaging faith communities across America;
• A series of potentially fascinating conversations and workshops including “the Rise of the International Agenda,” and “Innovative Community Partnerships,” among others;
• A guided tour around the Tenderloin district, a look at one of that vibrant neighborhood’s most active hubs, Glide Memorial Church;
• Some of the leading thinkers and doers from the Faith and Service community, and from many faiths and diverse ethnicities;
• A screening of a movie about how the proposed building of a mosque that initially caused consternation in a local American community, ended up being the catalyst to bring it together.

You need to register beforehand. It’s simple and costs just $30 for the whole day, including a free breakfast. Press this link and follow the prompts:
http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/plan/faith-neighborhood-day.cfm

“The truth will set you free. But first it will piss you off”
-Gloria Steinem


There is a quote from the Bible that has become a cliché: “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). It is true that education provides the doorway for greater opportunities and a deeper understanding of events around the world will help one to feel more prepared or in control. But for those who find themselves in the situation of being exploited, tricked or abused, the realization of their situation may be satisfying in the moment, but that feeling of liberation tends to be quickly replaced with anger or resentment.

Knowing that an offender has confessed to their awful deeds or that someone is benefiting at your expense usually does not result in the feeling of freedom and peace. Rather, the ensuing resentment can burrow so deep in one’s heart that it can consume their entire being and even be passed down through the generations. This can be clearly observed through the historical antagonisms between states, cultures and societies. Whether it is the Jews, Palestinians, Tamils, Hutus or Kosovo Albanians, each group “knows” they have been wrongly abused and feel justified in their anger. The truth of their situation has brought their homeland no closer to stability or peace.

What is needed for real freedom is truth joined with the strength to forgive.

My opinion is not intended to simplify these very complicated and deeply rooted conflicts. But it is important to stress that peaceful resolutions and two-state solutions are only the first steps in quelling the rage inside of people. Separating enemies with walls and buffer zones may temporarily stop violence but will never cease the desire for justice and revenge.

I may not know the depths of despair at losing a loved one to a suicide bombing or to have my hometown destroyed by a civil war but I do know what it feels like to be so consumed with hate for a person who has inflicted pain. At first it may seem satisfying to blame and accuse the culprit, to project all negative feelings of frustration and anger towards the other. But with time this anger becomes a poison and its only victim is you. Being consumed by thoughts of contempt limits one from fully experiencing joy and happiness and prevents one from possibly trusting or relating with others again.

It takes real strength to truly forgive those who have wronged us; not only to limit oneself to a passive resentment but to wholeheartedly wish for the success and well being of the aggressor. This may seem super-human or impossible to achieve but in reality it requires only the strong desire to move from being the victim to the victor. After many years and having shed many tears I have freed myself from the venom of hatred and found a peace unlike any other “solution” could possibly provide. It was not easy, but anything worth fighting for never is.

As I read about the terrible conflicts happening around the world my heart aches, for I know that the casualties of war are much greater than the number dead. The United Nations has proclaimed 2009 to be the “International Year of Reconciliation” and I sincerely hope that this clarion call for restoration will not just be political rhetoric that will be replaced with next year’s motto, but will encourage all of us to find the strength to forgive and to contribute to creating a lasting world of peace.

Rachel, Youth Fed Intern
New Media Team
www.youthfederation.org
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/yfedfacebook
Twitter: www.twitter.com/youthfed

Join the Coalition by becoming a Young Ambassador for Peace: http://tinyurl.com/youthfed21

First of all, I would like to suggest the following Facebook groups for everyone to join.

ME Peace
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4197287947

Global Peace Rally
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24414515733&ref=mf

and Religious Youth Services
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7633469515

Religious Youth Services sent out a report about a recent project, which I posted on the discussion board. it was very touching, and I would suggest everyone take a little time to read it.

If anyway was at the Friday event, please post up your thoughts on it to share with the group.

I know I promised more news about the next MEPI trip, but I forgot to mention that there is actually a service project in Jordan happening first. It's from July 8~July 20th, and we're partnering with Friendship Ambassador Foundation and IRFF.

The participants will get help remodel two schools in a village, and then get to see Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
If you're interested, please visit www.IRFF.ORG to apply. The deadline is May 31, 2009.

God bless each of you, and as you continue the fight for peace, remember to check your facebook account ;)

Sincerely,
Ely Loew
Social Media Team Director
Youth Federation for World Peace
www.youthfederation.org

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“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they are chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning”
-Morrie Schwartz (From Tuesdays with Morrie)

Whenever I write a blog, I try to reflect about the happenings around me, about what lessons I can take from these moments and then pass them on, hoping they can be of value to others as well. I’ve been experiencing writers block recently, not being able to find that perfect article or one current event that really demanded a moment of reflection. However, one theme has been circling around me these past couple weeks that I feel must finally be discussed: myself.

No, not Rachel, but you and me, as individuals, as a person in the midst of hundreds and thousands of people. It is so easy to become caught up in the rush of life with working, keeping up relationships, worrying about money, taking care of numerous other responsibilities while desperately trying to squeeze in a moment of personal time and relaxation. It is no wonder then that in the course of a day we will come across grumpy co-workers, angry drivers and unpleasant strangers on the street. Many of us are so caught up in getting to the bottom of our checklist of responsibilities for the day that we’ve (unknowingly) deemed civil interaction as a superfluous activity that requires too much energy and is not cost-effective of our time.
I caught myself in this trap a few months ago, when lost in my world of music, listening to my mp3 on the U-Bahn (Austrian underground) and worrying about being late for class that I would push past an elderly lady to beat her to the escalator or squeeze into a packed train so I wouldn’t have to wait three minutes for the next one. “Everyone does it” and it can be justified with the importance of one’s needs, but it becomes a habit, a culture, a daily routine that with time, one does not even recognize how disconnected from those around us we’ve become.

My saving grace has been Angelika. Every Monday I visit her flat to have English conversation practice for two hours. If you were to talk with her over the phone, you would never guess that this extremely bright and perceptive young woman, full of energy and optimism about life is severely physically handicapped and blind. Every week we share about our weekends, joke about silly things, discuss current events and try to find answers to many of the challenges in the world. It is my chance to completely set aside other distractions and have a meaningful conversation with another human being. Even though I leave her home every week feeling rejuvenated, I find myself the next week grumbling as I go there, thinking of all the other important things I could get done instead. It is a habit. It is a mindset I have engrained within myself. But, it is also something that can change. It requires determinedly taking a step back from the whirlwind life that we are living and re-prioritize what’s on our checklist. It requires making a conscious effort to create new habits. It requires remembering that taking the time to sincerely interact with others is what can give us the additional energy we need to tackle our never ending to-do list. We may never meet again the stranger that we cut-off in line or the old woman we pushed out of the way, but with each day we have the chance to defuse our stressful surroundings and the opportunity to make a change in our lives…if we decide to.

Rachel, Youth Fed Intern
New Media Team
www.youthfederation.org
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/yfedfacebook
Twitter: www.twitter.com/youthfed

Join the Coalition by becoming a Young Ambassador for Peace: http://tinyurl.com/youthfed21

There is no question that human rights declarations and agreements have been valuable in outlining the basic dignities that each person deserves. However, in reality, these documents appear to be nothing more than political rhetoric that officials like to recite to appear compassionate or credible in their agendas. The United Nations is over 60 years old, and while it was once hoped to be the solution to preventing world wars and international transgressions, many now doubt its efficiency. The ideals and hopes planted in the United Nations and in human rights declarations, I believe are a real expression of human hope for a better reality, but as history as shown, the seduction of power and wealth, often at the expense of others, is many times just too great.

The strength of human rights declarations as a legal document is limited because it can only be enforced through the threat of punishment (and the UN isn‘t very strong in this area). Just as speeding limits are necessary for providing safety on the road, there always seem to be those who will want to speed and will find various methods to escape being caught. What is necessary to ensure real human rights is not another signed agreement or a more powerful governing agency, but rather a change in human behavior.
The real protection of human rights will only occur once people understand that personal gain through exploitation of another could never outweigh the pain and destruction caused to another human being. For many, this sensitivity is taught through religious adherence and spiritual guidance. It is important, therefore, that religious perspectives should not be blocked from governing institutions, but rather added as a supplement to provide a basis of moral guidance.

An essay written by Archbishop Anastasios regarding the Orthodox Church’s evaluation of contemporary human rights clearly articulates the importance of religious teaching in sensitizing the hearts of man and in developing the awareness that every human being should be regarded with the same value and dignity due to our common origin. I have highlighted some of his core points, but I encourage the full reading, whether Orthodox or not, simply for the sake of considering the depth of human rights from another perspective.

Since the article is not readily available on the internet, I’ve added some interesting excerpts for you to comment on. Although this is a Christian perspective, I think many of his points apply to most of the world’s faith traditions.

“Declarations seek to impose their views through legal and political forms of coercion, whereas the Christian message addresses itself to people’s way of thinking and to their conscience, using persuasion and faith”.

“Recognizing human rights in theory is not enough. What we lack is not knowledge, but the will”.

“Accepting responsibility for one’s actions is as fundamental to human existence and human dignity as being able to claim one’s rights. A one sided emphasis on rights can result in unhealthy individualism and also makes it easier for those rights to be abused. […] By developing this sense of personal responsibility, every one of us can become a fortress of resistance against the violation of human rights, both around us and within our own hearts.”

“It is not correct to pose the issue merely as one of ‘my rights’ or ‘your rights’ exclusively but to make common reference to both”

“The formulations that have been put into writing in existing declarations constitute a starting point, but do not safeguard human dignity from becoming enslaved to human egotism, which is the cruelest of all powers that must be abolished”

“[Human’s] purpose is to raise themselves from a condition of mere biological coexistence to a state of true communion between persons”

“Faith can have a profound influence on peoples‘ consciousness and on their willingness to comply with basic principles of freedom, equality, dignity, brotherhood, and all the other human rights that derive from these ideals.“

“Respecting human dignity requires more than just passive recognition of the rights of others, particularly in an era of social pluralism. It requires our active participation as critical moments in the lives of our fellow human beings“.

Let me know what you think and thanks for reading.

Rachel, Youth Fed Intern
New Media Team
Youth Federation for World Peace
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/yfedfacebook,
Twitter: www.twitter.com/youthfed

Join a Federation of Young Leaders by becoming an Ambassador for Peace: http://tinyurl.com/youthfed21

Sources:
Anastasios (Yannoulatos), Archbishop (2003) Facing the World: Orthodox Christian Essays on Global Concerns. Crestwood NY: St. Vladimir‘s Seminary Press
United Nations, „The Universal Declaration of Human Rights“, http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

Things That I have learned

I am Wondwossen from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I am here to express and share you my deepest feelings that I have experienced during the three days summit. For the sake of time and energy, I will try to make it short and precise.

The summit was my first experience to attend outside my country, Ethiopia, but I have been in so many summits, trainings, workshops, panel discussions, held inside my country being participant, organizer, and speaker. Currently, I am working in different governmental and non governmental University Colleges being Lecturer of Civic and Ethical Education course, which deals with more on values and characters of people.

Now allow me to pass some things on behalf of the Ethiopian delegates. Attending in the summit thought me in so many ways and I do not think I will able to express all my feelings that I have had, experiences that I have shared and gained, and above all the door of opportunities that I opened and so on.

For the time being I tried to categorize the things that I have learned in to three major themes: love, dedication and commitment, and giving and taking.

Love: throughout the summit I highly witnessed and experienced real love, God’s love, being “Piece of the Peace” beyond religion, ethnicity, and culture. I have learned that “There is no way to ‘love’, ‘love’ is the way.” Love started from with in us and growth with mutual trust, tolerance, positive thinking, humbleness, respect each other are among other things. We spent so many unforgettable moments of love with discussing, eating, playing, singing, traveling and so on together. The travel from the UN conference room to the hotel is worth mentioning. That was the great moment which showed our unity with diversity with singing multicultural songs of Jordanian, Kenyan, Ethiopian, American and others. It is unforgettable moment since we shared love and joy.

Dedication and Commitment: I think it is needless mentioning the name of people and institutions that made this event real, since their work speaks louder than my words. Let me explain it with giving examples. A few years ago my friend living in US share me a saying “ Busy is free” and I felt it is true if we properly managed it as what most of the people in the organization doing. Also, in our round table discussion on the Character education, Prof. Alan Saunders asked us “At what age people should be Marry?” and we mentioned different ages but you know what he said “It is better and convenient if people marry when they able to shoulder responsibility.” Yes, shouldering responsibility is the main important thing. I have seen people who are very young but doing a lot having hope and strength. Through them I able to see the real value of time, dedication, concern, effort, management and leadership skills, cooperation and so on. It is not exaggerating saying I have seen light of hope, since they are the responsible body for the fate of our future organization and world at large. Taking this opportunity allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all people who made the event real and for those individuals who helped us to be part of the summit. Without their dedication and commitment, I would not be there.

Giving and taking: so many people were happy sharing what they have and learning from others without any limit. With this opportunity I have learned a lot from many peoples. As my own opinion, from all kinds of giving and taking, giving and taking of Knowledge and skill of others is higher, since it will remain with in people as long as they alive. Saying this, I would like to admire and appreciate the Nextgen Academy and all the young individuals for their contribution and assistance in making the event colorful and providing character education for Africa. You should be proud on what you are doing and achieving. You will never ever regret with your stay here in Africa since you are blessed with a lot of wisdom, broader experience, and above all inner satisfaction.

Last but not least, I should extend my appreciation and thanks for the Universal Peace Federation and Youth Federation for World Peace for your marvelous idea and huge effort in creating one peaceful and joyful world under God. God bless you all. I am proud and glad to be part, happy to stay in touch, would like to hear from you and eager to participate in similar activities.

Thank you for the time you take in reading my feelings.

I Remain.

Sincerely,

Wondwossen