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is long-lasting peace sustainable?
Jan. 16th, 2009 03:42 amI actually wore socks and a thick spring weather hoodie during dinner today. That, on top of my multi-layered office attire (which I had to wear because there was this big event in school earlier...more on that in a bit.) Manila, is this you? ANG LAMIG. I am a tropical rat through and through and I detest cold weather. I can't comprehend how I can walk in sun-drenched Agno during lunchtime and still feel chilly. The world is truly ailing, is it not :( Manila has never been cool like this. (And I mean that in a non-cool way, if you're still following my drift.) Gah. I want my summer.
Today I attended the BRIDGES: Dialogues Towards A Culture of Peace event in school, at the Yuchengco Auditorium. The guest speaker was Jose Ramos-Horta, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize back in 1996 for his efforts in making East Timor an independent nation after decades of human rights abuse by Indonesian militia.
Kat and I were able to sit in the 5th row, albeit to the side. But then again. How many opportunities have I ever had to listen to a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate talk about the situation of the world, of humanity? Until today, none. DLSU was awesome for giving the students this opportunity.
The talk was about whether long-lasting peace is sustainable or not. When asked about the possibility of peace, he was surprisingly very skeptical about it, saying that "only an extraordinarily optimistic person will say that peace can be achieved throughout the world in his lifetime," in context with a post WWII outlook.
He talked about the situation in Timor Leste, and his experiences during his exile from his own country. He also recalled that during that period, he met Ninoy Aquino in Columbia University, just two weeks before his assassination. The situation in Gaza was also brought up; Ramos-Horta obviously had his sympathies with Palestine, saying that Israel had to be the bigger "man". Was this from his country's own experience with Indonesia? In a way, there are some parallels.
Basically, he was saying that we needed more compassion.
We do. Our world really does. I feel like we're all lacking in an effort to empathize with one another, to cull from our own experiences the maturity and insight that we need to understand other people. Ramos-Horta mentioned that Israel, who has had their share of sufferings and injustice, should know how to "love" all the more; the more that they should empathize with, if not understand, Palestine because they themselves (the Israelis) have gone through so much.. The question is, why aren't they making that effort? Why? It is also sad to note that this kind of insidious pride and close-mindedness is not limited to the world-wide level. Hardly. On a person-to-person basis, it's just easier not to make the effort to understand and care. So we don't.
Maybe that's why he was so skeptical about the sustainability of long-lasting peace in the first place.
It makes me sad.
A lot of thoughts are still brewing in my head, it was mind-reeling to hear Ramos-Horta's ideas live. But I'll reserve it for the actual paper that I have to do for journalism class, which was why I was able to have access to the forum. :D
On a side note, DLSU should really bring more speakers like that to talk about various matters, and not hold it for a chosen audience. It should be open for all. A forum should be open for everyone. Oh well. Just my ten cents.
Today I attended the BRIDGES: Dialogues Towards A Culture of Peace event in school, at the Yuchengco Auditorium. The guest speaker was Jose Ramos-Horta, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize back in 1996 for his efforts in making East Timor an independent nation after decades of human rights abuse by Indonesian militia.
Kat and I were able to sit in the 5th row, albeit to the side. But then again. How many opportunities have I ever had to listen to a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate talk about the situation of the world, of humanity? Until today, none. DLSU was awesome for giving the students this opportunity.
The talk was about whether long-lasting peace is sustainable or not. When asked about the possibility of peace, he was surprisingly very skeptical about it, saying that "only an extraordinarily optimistic person will say that peace can be achieved throughout the world in his lifetime," in context with a post WWII outlook.
He talked about the situation in Timor Leste, and his experiences during his exile from his own country. He also recalled that during that period, he met Ninoy Aquino in Columbia University, just two weeks before his assassination. The situation in Gaza was also brought up; Ramos-Horta obviously had his sympathies with Palestine, saying that Israel had to be the bigger "man". Was this from his country's own experience with Indonesia? In a way, there are some parallels.
"Political negotiation for peace is possible, but healing wounds of the heart and soul is a much more complex process...We can resolve political disputes, but deep divisions in the heart, these will take time."
"Do not disregard what goes on in the mind and psyche of the people in conflict, especially those who have experienced years of abuse and humiliation, and traumatized by violence. We should treat them with appropriate understanding."
Basically, he was saying that we needed more compassion.
We do. Our world really does. I feel like we're all lacking in an effort to empathize with one another, to cull from our own experiences the maturity and insight that we need to understand other people. Ramos-Horta mentioned that Israel, who has had their share of sufferings and injustice, should know how to "love" all the more; the more that they should empathize with, if not understand, Palestine because they themselves (the Israelis) have gone through so much.. The question is, why aren't they making that effort? Why? It is also sad to note that this kind of insidious pride and close-mindedness is not limited to the world-wide level. Hardly. On a person-to-person basis, it's just easier not to make the effort to understand and care. So we don't.
Maybe that's why he was so skeptical about the sustainability of long-lasting peace in the first place.
It makes me sad.
A lot of thoughts are still brewing in my head, it was mind-reeling to hear Ramos-Horta's ideas live. But I'll reserve it for the actual paper that I have to do for journalism class, which was why I was able to have access to the forum. :D
On a side note, DLSU should really bring more speakers like that to talk about various matters, and not hold it for a chosen audience. It should be open for all. A forum should be open for everyone. Oh well. Just my ten cents.