so the future vision of peace brings good news bad news and a challenge for
good news bad news and a challenge for
good news bad news and a challenge for the next 30 to 50 years the good news is
the next 30 to 50 years the good news is
the next 30 to 50 years the good news is there are many indications that we are
there are many indications that we are
there are many indications that we are headed into decades with great promise
headed into decades with great promise
headed into decades with great promise when it comes to deadly conflict there
when it comes to deadly conflict there
when it comes to deadly conflict there are important things that are happening
are important things that are happening
are important things that are happening on the international stage and important
on the international stage and important
on the international stage and important things that are happening within
things that are happening within
things that are happening within conflict affected societies that look
conflict affected societies that look
conflict affected societies that look promising look hopeful look good
promising look hopeful look good
promising look hopeful look good the bad news is we’re seeing a fair
the bad news is we’re seeing a fair
the bad news is we’re seeing a fair amount of violent conflict around the
amount of violent conflict around the
amount of violent conflict around the globe
globe
globe this is Mogadishu a place that’s almost
this is Mogadishu a place that’s almost
this is Mogadishu a place that’s almost synonymous now with grinding conflict it
synonymous now with grinding conflict it
synonymous now with grinding conflict it could be a building in many different
could be a building in many different
could be a building in many different places around the world conflict is a
places around the world conflict is a
places around the world conflict is a reality violent conflict is not
reality violent conflict is not
reality violent conflict is not necessarily a foregone conclusion but we
necessarily a foregone conclusion but we
necessarily a foregone conclusion but we do see this kind of violent destructive
do see this kind of violent destructive
do see this kind of violent destructive conflict gripping societies around the
conflict gripping societies around the
conflict gripping societies around the globe that cannot be disputed
globe that cannot be disputed
globe that cannot be disputed that’s the bad news the challenge is how
that’s the bad news the challenge is how
that’s the bad news the challenge is how do we pursue some of the promises some
do we pursue some of the promises some
do we pursue some of the promises some of the opportunities that are starting
of the opportunities that are starting
of the opportunities that are starting to emerge with from within these
to emerge with from within these
to emerge with from within these conflict affected societies to address
conflict affected societies to address
conflict affected societies to address this kind of grinding never-ending
this kind of grinding never-ending
this kind of grinding never-ending conflict we call conflicts like this
conflict we call conflicts like this
conflict we call conflicts like this that appear to never end intractable
that appear to never end intractable
that appear to never end intractable they resist resolution and it always
they resist resolution and it always
they resist resolution and it always appears that if there’s change it’s for
appears that if there’s change it’s for
appears that if there’s change it’s for the worse and not for the better I think
the worse and not for the better I think
the worse and not for the better I think that the problem is not that the
that the problem is not that the
that the problem is not that the conflicts are never-ending it’s that we
conflicts are never-ending it’s that we
conflicts are never-ending it’s that we are not paying attention to where the
are not paying attention to where the
are not paying attention to where the real action is when it comes to
real action is when it comes to
real action is when it comes to opportunities for shifting and changing
opportunities for shifting and changing
opportunities for shifting and changing and even transforming these conflicts
and even transforming these conflicts
and even transforming these conflicts most most of my career for the last 20
most most of my career for the last 20
most most of my career for the last 20 years has been focused on big
years has been focused on big
years has been focused on big institutional approaches to big violent
institutional approaches to big violent
institutional approaches to big violent conflicts organizations like the United
conflicts organizations like the United
conflicts organizations like the United Nations States regional organizations
Nations States regional organizations
Nations States regional organizations governments are focused at the highest
governments are focused at the highest
governments are focused at the highest levels on macro broad-based almost
levels on macro broad-based almost
levels on macro broad-based almost utopian visions of what it means
utopian visions of what it means
utopian visions of what it means to be at peace in societies I preach
to be at peace in societies I preach
to be at peace in societies I preach that I teach that I believe in that we
that I teach that I believe in that we
that I teach that I believe in that we need to have a big imagination when it
need to have a big imagination when it
need to have a big imagination when it comes to peace the problem is that it’s
comes to peace the problem is that it’s
comes to peace the problem is that it’s elusive that utopian space that
elusive that utopian space that
elusive that utopian space that institutional global national level
institutional global national level
institutional global national level change is elusive I noticed many many
change is elusive I noticed many many
change is elusive I noticed many many years ago in Iraq that the kinds of
years ago in Iraq that the kinds of
years ago in Iraq that the kinds of changes that actually were happening
changes that actually were happening
changes that actually were happening were at the micro scale at the level of
were at the micro scale at the level of
were at the micro scale at the level of interactions between enemies this is a
interactions between enemies this is a
interactions between enemies this is a picture that comes from a trip of some
picture that comes from a trip of some
picture that comes from a trip of some work that I did in Iraq in which Iraqi
work that I did in Iraq in which Iraqi
work that I did in Iraq in which Iraqi Shia Sunni Arabs Kurds Turkmen
Shia Sunni Arabs Kurds Turkmen
Shia Sunni Arabs Kurds Turkmen Christians from many communities came
Christians from many communities came
Christians from many communities came together to first work together and
together to first work together and
together to first work together and second enjoy the the Kurdish holiday of
second enjoy the the Kurdish holiday of
second enjoy the the Kurdish holiday of Nowruz together this was a historic
Nowruz together this was a historic
Nowruz together this was a historic moment it looks tiny but the
moment it looks tiny but the
moment it looks tiny but the implications of this were massive in an
implications of this were massive in an
implications of this were massive in an environment like Iraq where the
environment like Iraq where the
environment like Iraq where the bifurcation and the stratification
bifurcation and the stratification
bifurcation and the stratification between an amongst groups is endemic and
between an amongst groups is endemic and
between an amongst groups is endemic and and historic and deeply challenging so I
and historic and deeply challenging so I
and historic and deeply challenging so I started to wonder is this where the
started to wonder is this where the
started to wonder is this where the action is is this kind of integration
action is is this kind of integration
action is is this kind of integration where the actual change is taking place
where the actual change is taking place
where the actual change is taking place when it comes to the big conflicts that
when it comes to the big conflicts that
when it comes to the big conflicts that we’ve all been working on for so many
we’ve all been working on for so many
we’ve all been working on for so many years I believe that we’ve been looking
years I believe that we’ve been looking
years I believe that we’ve been looking in the wrong place at the wrong level
in the wrong place at the wrong level
in the wrong place at the wrong level we’ve been hoping to see change at the
we’ve been hoping to see change at the
we’ve been hoping to see change at the level of the forest but actually it’s at
level of the forest but actually it’s at
level of the forest but actually it’s at the level of the trees that conflict
the level of the trees that conflict
the level of the trees that conflict affected societies are actually shifting
affected societies are actually shifting
affected societies are actually shifting there’s an idea that sociologist named
there’s an idea that sociologist named
there’s an idea that sociologist named Jeffrey Goldfarb offers called the
Jeffrey Goldfarb offers called the
Jeffrey Goldfarb offers called the politics of small things it’s when
politics of small things it’s when
politics of small things it’s when people meet and develop a capacity to
people meet and develop a capacity to
people meet and develop a capacity to act together to redefine their situation
act together to redefine their situation
act together to redefine their situation and to create alternatives to the
and to create alternatives to the
and to create alternatives to the existing order he’s suggesting and I
existing order he’s suggesting and I
existing order he’s suggesting and I suggest that these interactions these
suggest that these interactions these
suggest that these interactions these small
small
small Guil connections are actually powerful
Guil connections are actually powerful
Guil connections are actually powerful in a political sense because they are
in a political sense because they are
in a political sense because they are occurring in the context of big massive
occurring in the context of big massive
occurring in the context of big massive unrelenting conflict that divides people
unrelenting conflict that divides people
unrelenting conflict that divides people at every level when people connect in
at every level when people connect in
at every level when people connect in this way I believe what’s happening is
this way I believe what’s happening is
this way I believe what’s happening is the intimacy of enemies it’s a term that
the intimacy of enemies it’s a term that
the intimacy of enemies it’s a term that I’ve started to develop and work with
I’ve started to develop and work with
I’ve started to develop and work with and I think would like to offer in a
and I think would like to offer in a
and I think would like to offer in a provocative way the intimacy of enemies
provocative way the intimacy of enemies
provocative way the intimacy of enemies is when local everyday interactions
is when local everyday interactions
is when local everyday interactions occur that cross lines that transgress
occur that cross lines that transgress
occur that cross lines that transgress the norms of conflict that say we are
the norms of conflict that say we are
the norms of conflict that say we are working together even though everything
working together even though everything
working together even though everything in our society from law to pop culture
in our society from law to pop culture
in our society from law to pop culture to media to political discourse pushes
to media to political discourse pushes
to media to political discourse pushes us apart we will work together we will
us apart we will work together we will
us apart we will work together we will be together we will interact these
be together we will interact these
be together we will interact these create authentic possibilities so this
create authentic possibilities so this
create authentic possibilities so this concept of the intimacy of enemies this
concept of the intimacy of enemies this
concept of the intimacy of enemies this small-scale this micro level interaction
small-scale this micro level interaction
small-scale this micro level interaction is where I believe the next 30 to 50
is where I believe the next 30 to 50
is where I believe the next 30 to 50 years will will will hinge on in terms
years will will will hinge on in terms
years will will will hinge on in terms of a vision for peace and that is
of a vision for peace and that is
of a vision for peace and that is actually a very radical thing to say at
actually a very radical thing to say at
actually a very radical thing to say at a time when conflicts are so endemic so
a time when conflicts are so endemic so
a time when conflicts are so endemic so is this urgent is this is this question
is this urgent is this is this question
is this urgent is this is this question of how do we make peace or is this an
of how do we make peace or is this an
of how do we make peace or is this an urgent question absolutely no question
urgent question absolutely no question
urgent question absolutely no question it is let’s just take a few examples
it is let’s just take a few examples
it is let’s just take a few examples that everyone is aware of Syria 200,000
that everyone is aware of Syria 200,000
that everyone is aware of Syria 200,000 civilians killed at least in six years
civilians killed at least in six years
civilians killed at least in six years with no real end in sight we’ll see
with no real end in sight we’ll see
with no real end in sight we’ll see where things go
where things go
where things go Iraq Afghanistan 16 years of war and you
Iraq Afghanistan 16 years of war and you
Iraq Afghanistan 16 years of war and you can fill in the blank there’s so many
can fill in the blank there’s so many
can fill in the blank there’s so many other conflicts that are gripping
other conflicts that are gripping
other conflicts that are gripping societies that seem to never end these
societies that seem to never end these
societies that seem to never end these are important issues to grapple with
are important issues to grapple with
are important issues to grapple with what is the cost fourteen point three
what is the cost fourteen point three
what is the cost fourteen point three trillion dollars it’s estimated annually
trillion dollars it’s estimated annually
trillion dollars it’s estimated annually spent or lost to violence twelve point
spent or lost to violence twelve point
spent or lost to violence twelve point six percent of global GDP lost to
six percent of global GDP lost to
six percent of global GDP lost to violence that’s one thousand nine
violence that’s one thousand nine
violence that’s one thousand nine hundred and fifty three dollars for
hundred and fifty three dollars for
hundred and fifty three dollars for every single person on earth
every single person on earth
every single person on earth this is a crisis we need new ways of
this is a crisis we need new ways of
this is a crisis we need new ways of addressing old problems 2.14 four
addressing old problems 2.14 four
addressing old problems 2.14 four percent of global peacefulness has been
percent of global peacefulness has been
percent of global peacefulness has been measured as going down since 2008 52% of
measured as going down since 2008 52% of
measured as going down since 2008 52% of country’s level of peacefulness has been
country’s level of peacefulness has been
country’s level of peacefulness has been deteriorating since 2008 so this would
deteriorating since 2008 so this would
deteriorating since 2008 so this would suggest a trend towards the negative a
suggest a trend towards the negative a
suggest a trend towards the negative a trend downward in terms of peacefulness
trend downward in terms of peacefulness
trend downward in terms of peacefulness that’s bad news and it should get our
that’s bad news and it should get our
that’s bad news and it should get our attention this is a picture from Egypt
attention this is a picture from Egypt
attention this is a picture from Egypt during some unrest not too long ago one
during some unrest not too long ago one
during some unrest not too long ago one issue that’s on the national stage that
issue that’s on the national stage that
issue that’s on the national stage that again is is Myanmar we can sort of get
again is is Myanmar we can sort of get
again is is Myanmar we can sort of get numbed by the numbers 600 and 600
numbed by the numbers 600 and 600
numbed by the numbers 600 and 600 thousand mostly Muslim refugees fleeing
thousand mostly Muslim refugees fleeing
thousand mostly Muslim refugees fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh it’s so
Myanmar for Bangladesh it’s so
Myanmar for Bangladesh it’s so overwhelming here’s one comment from one
overwhelming here’s one comment from one
overwhelming here’s one comment from one of those refugees abu salim a very
of those refugees abu salim a very
of those refugees abu salim a very elderly man who made his way to to
elderly man who made his way to to
elderly man who made his way to to bangladesh with his family he said in
bangladesh with his family he said in
bangladesh with his family he said in total i escaped four times in 1942 when
total i escaped four times in 1942 when
total i escaped four times in 1942 when the japanese came then again in 1978 the
the japanese came then again in 1978 the
the japanese came then again in 1978 the third time i can’t remember but this
third time i can’t remember but this
third time i can’t remember but this time was the most difficult we had to
time was the most difficult we had to
time was the most difficult we had to cross 11 hills and spend 12 days hiking
cross 11 hills and spend 12 days hiking
cross 11 hills and spend 12 days hiking in the hiding in the forest i couldn’t
in the hiding in the forest i couldn’t
in the hiding in the forest i couldn’t walk or sea so they had to carry me the
walk or sea so they had to carry me the
walk or sea so they had to carry me the line that strikes me so powerfully here
line that strikes me so powerfully here
line that strikes me so powerfully here is the third time i can’t remember to be
is the third time i can’t remember to be
is the third time i can’t remember to be displaced by war and violence so many
displaced by war and violence so many
displaced by war and violence so many times that you can’t remember what the
times that you can’t remember what the
times that you can’t remember what the cause was that suggests we have a
cause was that suggests we have a
cause was that suggests we have a problem that needs to be resolved it
problem that needs to be resolved it
problem that needs to be resolved it needs to be addressed Peter Coleman a
needs to be addressed Peter Coleman a
needs to be addressed Peter Coleman a great social psychologist says we are a
great social psychologist says we are a
great social psychologist says we are a well-armed frightened highly suspicious
well-armed frightened highly suspicious
well-armed frightened highly suspicious increasingly fractional punitive
increasingly fractional punitive
increasingly fractional punitive disparaging of our opponents and
disparaging of our opponents and
disparaging of our opponents and drowning in violence so in this context
drowning in violence so in this context
drowning in violence so in this context how can we envision peace it’s a dilemma
how can we envision peace it’s a dilemma
how can we envision peace it’s a dilemma how do we in the worlds of at least
how do we in the worlds of at least
how do we in the worlds of at least building how do we image peace vision
building how do we image peace vision
building how do we image peace vision peace in wartime how do we grapple with
peace in wartime how do we grapple with
peace in wartime how do we grapple with that
that
that my suggestion is we need to start
my suggestion is we need to start
my suggestion is we need to start looking at the details we need to look
looking at the details we need to look
looking at the details we need to look at the
at the
at the cracks and the seams in this massive
cracks and the seams in this massive
cracks and the seams in this massive rocks of conflict this is in East Timor
rocks of conflict this is in East Timor
rocks of conflict this is in East Timor former Portuguese and then and an
former Portuguese and then and an
former Portuguese and then and an Indonesian occupied by Indonesians after
Indonesian occupied by Indonesians after
Indonesian occupied by Indonesians after the Portuguese in East Timor where I
the Portuguese in East Timor where I
the Portuguese in East Timor where I worked for quite some time again I
worked for quite some time again I
worked for quite some time again I started to see this kind of intimacy
started to see this kind of intimacy
started to see this kind of intimacy this kind of connection happening that
this kind of connection happening that
this kind of connection happening that was separate and apart from the big
was separate and apart from the big
was separate and apart from the big macro UN interventions or state-led
macro UN interventions or state-led
macro UN interventions or state-led interventions and I saw that these
interventions and I saw that these
interventions and I saw that these small-scale connections had real meaning
small-scale connections had real meaning
small-scale connections had real meaning had lasting capacity for change but
had lasting capacity for change but
had lasting capacity for change but aren’t we just warlike by by nature by
aren’t we just warlike by by nature by
aren’t we just warlike by by nature by definition President Obama himself in
definition President Obama himself in
definition President Obama himself in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech
his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech
his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech said war in one form or another appeared
said war in one form or another appeared
said war in one form or another appeared with the first man at the dawn of
with the first man at the dawn of
with the first man at the dawn of history its morality was not questioned
history its morality was not questioned
history its morality was not questioned it was a simple fact like drought or
it was a simple fact like drought or
it was a simple fact like drought or disease so if war is has been with us
disease so if war is has been with us
disease so if war is has been with us from the very beginning maybe this
from the very beginning maybe this
from the very beginning maybe this doesn’t make sense the good news is it’s
doesn’t make sense the good news is it’s
doesn’t make sense the good news is it’s a little more complicated than that
a little more complicated than that
a little more complicated than that Doug Frye an anthropologist and others
Doug Frye an anthropologist and others
Doug Frye an anthropologist and others have noticed that the belief that there
have noticed that the belief that there
have noticed that the belief that there was always been war does not correspond
was always been war does not correspond
was always been war does not correspond with the archaeological facts of the
with the archaeological facts of the
with the archaeological facts of the matter other archaeologists other
matter other archaeologists other
matter other archaeologists other anthropologists have helped us see that
anthropologists have helped us see that
anthropologists have helped us see that collaboration actually cooperation
collaboration actually cooperation
collaboration actually cooperation actually has historically been the norm
actually has historically been the norm
actually has historically been the norm which is not to say war isn’t a problem
which is not to say war isn’t a problem
which is not to say war isn’t a problem it’s just to say perhaps war isn’t our
it’s just to say perhaps war isn’t our
it’s just to say perhaps war isn’t our entire history so I’m saying two things
entire history so I’m saying two things
entire history so I’m saying two things now first we are not necessarily a
now first we are not necessarily a
now first we are not necessarily a warlike species
warlike species
warlike species because historically and in in the sort
because historically and in in the sort
because historically and in in the sort of historical record that is not borne
of historical record that is not borne
of historical record that is not borne out and second if you look in any
out and second if you look in any
out and second if you look in any conflict affected society you will see
conflict affected society you will see
conflict affected society you will see connections intimacy’s between enemies
connections intimacy’s between enemies
connections intimacy’s between enemies in markets in malls and hair salons in
in markets in malls and hair salons in
in markets in malls and hair salons in restaurants sometimes in schools and sin
restaurants sometimes in schools and sin
restaurants sometimes in schools and sin and also in intentional intimacy’s
and also in intentional intimacy’s
and also in intentional intimacy’s programming where people are coming
programming where people are coming
programming where people are coming together to mourn together or to do art
together to mourn together or to do art
together to mourn together or to do art together or to build new schools or new
together or to build new schools or new
together or to build new schools or new housing together so if that exists
housing together so if that exists
housing together so if that exists alongside and within conflict so these
alongside and within conflict so these
alongside and within conflict so these two things the lack of historical war
two things the lack of historical war
two things the lack of historical war like purely war like record for humanity
like purely war like record for humanity
like purely war like record for humanity and the existence of these intimacy’s
and the existence of these intimacy’s
and the existence of these intimacy’s that that we can see in any conflict
that that we can see in any conflict
that that we can see in any conflict affected society suggest that this is
affected society suggest that this is
affected society suggest that this is possible that we can pursue this this
possible that we can pursue this this
possible that we can pursue this this vision for peace Kenneth Boulding said
vision for peace Kenneth Boulding said
vision for peace Kenneth Boulding said if something exists it is possible that
if something exists it is possible that
if something exists it is possible that is a profound statement when it comes to
is a profound statement when it comes to
is a profound statement when it comes to the conflicts that are gripping these
the conflicts that are gripping these
the conflicts that are gripping these societies this is again back to Iraq
societies this is again back to Iraq
societies this is again back to Iraq something that looks so mundane a
something that looks so mundane a
something that looks so mundane a volleyball game but what’s represented
volleyball game but what’s represented
volleyball game but what’s represented here in this picture is fundamentally
here in this picture is fundamentally
here in this picture is fundamentally radical and fundamentally political
radical and fundamentally political
radical and fundamentally political because the people in the picture come
because the people in the picture come
because the people in the picture come from every facet of Iraqi society at a
from every facet of Iraqi society at a
from every facet of Iraqi society at a time when those people are not supposed
time when those people are not supposed
time when those people are not supposed to be together
to be together
to be together this is a political volleyball game a
this is a political volleyball game a
this is a political volleyball game a meaningful and peace oriented game of
meaningful and peace oriented game of
meaningful and peace oriented game of volleyball in the countryside of Iraq so
volleyball in the countryside of Iraq so
volleyball in the countryside of Iraq so more and more I believe that this is
more and more I believe that this is
more and more I believe that this is where we need to bring our focus here we
where we need to bring our focus here we
where we need to bring our focus here we are back to East Timor the question of
are back to East Timor the question of
are back to East Timor the question of how do we bring small scale interactions
how do we bring small scale interactions
how do we bring small scale interactions how do we bring focus to that how do we
how do we bring focus to that how do we
how do we bring focus to that how do we bring energy to that how do we bring
bring energy to that how do we bring
bring energy to that how do we bring meaning to that and how do we support
meaning to that and how do we support
meaning to that and how do we support those team ariz iraqis Yemenis Syrians
those team ariz iraqis Yemenis Syrians
those team ariz iraqis Yemenis Syrians Libyans who are risking so much to
Libyans who are risking so much to
Libyans who are risking so much to create these intimacy’s because it’s
create these intimacy’s because it’s
create these intimacy’s because it’s transgressive it’s against the rules for
transgressive it’s against the rules for
transgressive it’s against the rules for these communities to interact those may
these communities to interact those may
these communities to interact those may be informal rules but they’re no less
be informal rules but they’re no less
be informal rules but they’re no less powerful in keeping people apart
powerful in keeping people apart
powerful in keeping people apart here we are back to Iraq I want to tell
here we are back to Iraq I want to tell
here we are back to Iraq I want to tell a story about the first time I really
a story about the first time I really
a story about the first time I really understood the power of the intimacy of
understood the power of the intimacy of
understood the power of the intimacy of enemies many years ago in my early work
enemies many years ago in my early work
enemies many years ago in my early work in Iraq I convened and was a part of
in Iraq I convened and was a part of
in Iraq I convened and was a part of bringing together a group
bringing together a group
bringing together a group a very diverse group of Iraqis him from
a very diverse group of Iraqis him from
a very diverse group of Iraqis him from every different part of society every
every different part of society every
every different part of society every demographic and at the end of the event
demographic and at the end of the event
demographic and at the end of the event we just had people go around the group
we just had people go around the group
we just had people go around the group and close out this session with just
and close out this session with just
and close out this session with just sharing a little bit of their experience
sharing a little bit of their experience
sharing a little bit of their experience and we emphasize that everyone was
and we emphasize that everyone was
and we emphasize that everyone was allowed to speak in their own language I
allowed to speak in their own language I
allowed to speak in their own language I don’t know if you’re aware but in Iraq
don’t know if you’re aware but in Iraq
don’t know if you’re aware but in Iraq there are many different languages
there are many different languages
there are many different languages spoken Arabic yes but also Turkmen
spoken Arabic yes but also Turkmen
spoken Arabic yes but also Turkmen language Chaldean obviously Kurdish and
language Chaldean obviously Kurdish and
language Chaldean obviously Kurdish and others and so each person was invited to
others and so each person was invited to
others and so each person was invited to speak in their own language the way that
speak in their own language the way that
speak in their own language the way that this session worked was that there was a
this session worked was that there was a
this session worked was that there was a small olive branch that was passed
small olive branch that was passed
small olive branch that was passed around from person to person the olive
around from person to person the olive
around from person to person the olive branch came to a young Turkmen woman
branch came to a young Turkmen woman
branch came to a young Turkmen woman which comes from the Turkmen minority in
which comes from the Turkmen minority in
which comes from the Turkmen minority in Iraq and she started to speak and share
Iraq and she started to speak and share
Iraq and she started to speak and share in her language in Turkmen she was
in her language in Turkmen she was
in her language in Turkmen she was immediately interrupted by an older Arab
immediately interrupted by an older Arab
immediately interrupted by an older Arab man from a town called Baku boo who said
man from a town called Baku boo who said
man from a town called Baku boo who said speak in Arabic if you are Araki you
speak in Arabic if you are Araki you
speak in Arabic if you are Araki you speak in Arabic myself and my Iraqi
speak in Arabic myself and my Iraqi
speak in Arabic myself and my Iraqi colleagues invited him to take his to be
colleagues invited him to take his to be
colleagues invited him to take his to be silent and allow her to take her time
silent and allow her to take her time
silent and allow her to take her time and he relented the olive branch went
and he relented the olive branch went
and he relented the olive branch went around and finally made it to this
around and finally made it to this
around and finally made it to this gentleman he took the branch he thought
gentleman he took the branch he thought
gentleman he took the branch he thought for a minute and then he started his
for a minute and then he started his
for a minute and then he started his intervention his conversation with a
intervention his conversation with a
intervention his conversation with a short prayer it starts in the name of
short prayer it starts in the name of
short prayer it starts in the name of God most compassionate most gracious and
God most compassionate most gracious and
God most compassionate most gracious and he stopped and the other participants
he stopped and the other participants
he stopped and the other participants were prompting him with the next word
were prompting him with the next word
were prompting him with the next word and the next word he held up his hand
and the next word he held up his hand
and the next word he held up his hand and he started to weep big burly man big
and he started to weep big burly man big
and he started to weep big burly man big thick hands tears streaming down his
thick hands tears streaming down his
thick hands tears streaming down his face the session ended and at the very
face the session ended and at the very
face the session ended and at the very end we said what do you think how did
end we said what do you think how did
end we said what do you think how did this go and one of the young men said
this go and one of the young men said
this go and one of the young men said this was fine but next time maybe you
this was fine but next time maybe you
this was fine but next time maybe you could teach us about democracy and how
could teach us about democracy and how
could teach us about democracy and how that works I said well I think we have a
that works I said well I think we have a
that works I said well I think we have a little work to do back home but let’s
little work to do back home but let’s
little work to do back home but let’s see at that point the interrupter the
see at that point the interrupter the
see at that point the interrupter the big burly Arab Iraqi stood up and he
big burly Arab Iraqi stood up and he
big burly Arab Iraqi stood up and he said I disagree
said I disagree
said I disagree this was democracy why because we were
this was democracy why because we were
this was democracy why because we were all encouraged to
all encouraged to
all encouraged to speak in our own voice in our own
speak in our own voice in our own
speak in our own voice in our own language and that’s what matters and
language and that’s what matters and
language and that’s what matters and that’s what’s going to change Iraq that
that’s what’s going to change Iraq that
that’s what’s going to change Iraq that moment was transformative and electric
moment was transformative and electric
moment was transformative and electric in that room that the same man who
in that room that the same man who
in that room that the same man who couldn’t even hear the language of our
couldn’t even hear the language of our
couldn’t even hear the language of our minority would then turn and shift and
minority would then turn and shift and
minority would then turn and shift and transform to embrace that as literally
transform to embrace that as literally
transform to embrace that as literally their reason for being there that’s what
their reason for being there that’s what
their reason for being there that’s what I mean when I say the intimacy of
I mean when I say the intimacy of
I mean when I say the intimacy of enemies another example this one much
enemies another example this one much
enemies another example this one much larger scale every year in in early in
larger scale every year in in early in
larger scale every year in in early in late April or early May there’s a
late April or early May there’s a
late April or early May there’s a Memorial Day event in Israel several
Memorial Day event in Israel several
Memorial Day event in Israel several years ago a group of people came
years ago a group of people came
years ago a group of people came together and said what we want to create
together and said what we want to create
together and said what we want to create is a bi-national Israeli and Palestinian
is a bi-national Israeli and Palestinian
is a bi-national Israeli and Palestinian comb morning event a Memorial Day that
comb morning event a Memorial Day that
comb morning event a Memorial Day that is together and not separate which at at
is together and not separate which at at
is together and not separate which at at the level of the concept is so radical
the level of the concept is so radical
the level of the concept is so radical because memorializing tends to be very
because memorializing tends to be very
because memorializing tends to be very nationalized and so this group of people
nationalized and so this group of people
nationalized and so this group of people said no it’s time to change the paradigm
said no it’s time to change the paradigm
said no it’s time to change the paradigm through which we mourn our dead in May I
through which we mourn our dead in May I
through which we mourn our dead in May I traveled to Tel Aviv I traveled to the
traveled to Tel Aviv I traveled to the
traveled to Tel Aviv I traveled to the region and I witnessed four thousand
region and I witnessed four thousand
region and I witnessed four thousand people coming together at great risk to
people coming together at great risk to
people coming together at great risk to themselves and to the people that there
themselves and to the people that there
themselves and to the people that there were around them to be a part of this
were around them to be a part of this
were around them to be a part of this massive multi-city Memorial Day event
massive multi-city Memorial Day event
massive multi-city Memorial Day event that again brought Palestinians and
that again brought Palestinians and
that again brought Palestinians and Israelis together to mourn those who had
Israelis together to mourn those who had
Israelis together to mourn those who had died not just those who had died but
died not just those who had died but
died not just those who had died but those who had been killed by the call
those who had been killed by the call
those who had been killed by the call mourners communities and this was an
mourners communities and this was an
mourners communities and this was an intentional moment and it was a profound
intentional moment and it was a profound
intentional moment and it was a profound moment and what I saw was 4,000 plus
moment and what I saw was 4,000 plus
moment and what I saw was 4,000 plus people having the intimacy of enemies
people having the intimacy of enemies
people having the intimacy of enemies come alive in that room and trigger and
come alive in that room and trigger and
come alive in that room and trigger and galvanize and catalyze action it’s not
galvanize and catalyze action it’s not
galvanize and catalyze action it’s not just that moment but it’s what follows
just that moment but it’s what follows
just that moment but it’s what follows from that moment the transformation the
from that moment the transformation the
from that moment the transformation the shift the changes that flow from that
shift the changes that flow from that
shift the changes that flow from that moment of intimacy a huge
moment of intimacy a huge
moment of intimacy a huge absolutely radical experience of coming
absolutely radical experience of coming
absolutely radical experience of coming together and sharing in sadness and pain
together and sharing in sadness and pain
together and sharing in sadness and pain the next example I’d like to share is in
the next example I’d like to share is in
the next example I’d like to share is in Lebanon and this looks like a pretty
Lebanon and this looks like a pretty
Lebanon and this looks like a pretty straightforward group of young people
straightforward group of young people
straightforward group of young people it’s actually some of the most important
it’s actually some of the most important
it’s actually some of the most important emerging leaders in Lebanon from civil
emerging leaders in Lebanon from civil
emerging leaders in Lebanon from civil society from business from government
society from business from government
society from business from government from research from policy at a
from research from policy at a
from research from policy at a relatively young age coming together for
relatively young age coming together for
relatively young age coming together for a peace building residential program
a peace building residential program
a peace building residential program that I helped co-direct with Lebanese
that I helped co-direct with Lebanese
that I helped co-direct with Lebanese and and other professors you can see a
and and other professors you can see a
and and other professors you can see a sense of connection here but what you
sense of connection here but what you
sense of connection here but what you don’t see is that this that these folks
don’t see is that this that these folks
don’t see is that this that these folks represent and themselves come from
represent and themselves come from
represent and themselves come from deeply deeply divided both historically
deeply deeply divided both historically
deeply deeply divided both historically and in terms of what happened what’s
and in terms of what happened what’s
and in terms of what happened what’s happening today communities and here
happening today communities and here
happening today communities and here they were coming together talking about
they were coming together talking about
they were coming together talking about conflict in really unique and really
conflict in really unique and really
conflict in really unique and really unusual ways and the the intimacy that
unusual ways and the the intimacy that
unusual ways and the the intimacy that was created here had amazing residual
was created here had amazing residual
was created here had amazing residual effect it doesn’t just remain in that
effect it doesn’t just remain in that
effect it doesn’t just remain in that space of young people having a good time
space of young people having a good time
space of young people having a good time in a university for a few days in North
in a university for a few days in North
in a university for a few days in North Lebanon one of the most powerful
Lebanon one of the most powerful
Lebanon one of the most powerful outcomes of this has been the creation
outcomes of this has been the creation
outcomes of this has been the creation by these Lebanese themselves of a range
by these Lebanese themselves of a range
by these Lebanese themselves of a range of really powerful and important
of really powerful and important
of really powerful and important organizations that are bringing this
organizations that are bringing this
organizations that are bringing this forward one I’d like to highlight
forward one I’d like to highlight
forward one I’d like to highlight Vanessa
Vanessa
Vanessa Vasil created a groundbreaking
Vasil created a groundbreaking
Vasil created a groundbreaking organization called focused on media and
organization called focused on media and
organization called focused on media and peace called map and she is now becoming
peace called map and she is now becoming
peace called map and she is now becoming a leader in the region certainly in
a leader in the region certainly in
a leader in the region certainly in Lebanon and throughout in terms of
Lebanon and throughout in terms of
Lebanon and throughout in terms of addressing how media can be either a
addressing how media can be either a
addressing how media can be either a part of the conflict dynamic or
part of the conflict dynamic or
part of the conflict dynamic or supportive of peace and and inclusion
supportive of peace and and inclusion
supportive of peace and and inclusion and coexistence and and implore ilysm
and coexistence and and implore ilysm
and coexistence and and implore ilysm are these intimacy solving the problem
are these intimacy solving the problem
are these intimacy solving the problem are they resolving conflict are they
are they resolving conflict are they
are they resolving conflict are they changing the fundamentals of
changing the fundamentals of
changing the fundamentals of social conflict the answer is no you’d
social conflict the answer is no you’d
social conflict the answer is no you’d have to be naive to think that the
have to be naive to think that the
have to be naive to think that the pictures that I showed you before we’re
pictures that I showed you before we’re
pictures that I showed you before we’re the beginning of the end of conflict
the beginning of the end of conflict
the beginning of the end of conflict that’s not what’s happening what’s
that’s not what’s happening what’s
that’s not what’s happening what’s happening though is individuals groups
happening though is individuals groups
happening though is individuals groups and organizations who are stepping
and organizations who are stepping
and organizations who are stepping across lines in ways that you can’t even
across lines in ways that you can’t even
across lines in ways that you can’t even imagine risking family relationships
imagine risking family relationships
imagine risking family relationships risking safety we’re seeing security the
risking safety we’re seeing security the
risking safety we’re seeing security the good news is I’m seeing this everywhere
good news is I’m seeing this everywhere
good news is I’m seeing this everywhere I look
I look
I look partly because I want to see it partly
partly because I want to see it partly
partly because I want to see it partly because I believe it’s where the action
because I believe it’s where the action
because I believe it’s where the action is and organizations like the United
is and organizations like the United
is and organizations like the United Nations are starting to take this very
Nations are starting to take this very
Nations are starting to take this very seriously and more and more it’s
seriously and more and more it’s
seriously and more and more it’s becoming a part of how business is done
becoming a part of how business is done
becoming a part of how business is done good news 2017 first improvement in
good news 2017 first improvement in
good news 2017 first improvement in global peacefulness in global
global peacefulness in global
global peacefulness in global peacefulness since 2014 there’s been a
peacefulness since 2014 there’s been a
peacefulness since 2014 there’s been a small uptick 93 countries are actually
small uptick 93 countries are actually
small uptick 93 countries are actually becoming more peaceful this year and 9
becoming more peaceful this year and 9
becoming more peaceful this year and 9 geographic regions have gained in a
geographic regions have gained in a
geographic regions have gained in a sense of peacefulness as measured by the
sense of peacefulness as measured by the
sense of peacefulness as measured by the GPI so there’s more work to be done but
GPI so there’s more work to be done but
GPI so there’s more work to be done but certainly all points in my view all all
certainly all points in my view all all
certainly all points in my view all all all roads lead us back to this the
all roads lead us back to this the
all roads lead us back to this the importance of intimacy the importance of
importance of intimacy the importance of
importance of intimacy the importance of the everyday the importance of mundane
the everyday the importance of mundane
the everyday the importance of mundane connections in which people are crossing
connections in which people are crossing
connections in which people are crossing lines and making real change in
lines and making real change in
lines and making real change in societies that are struggling I think
societies that are struggling I think
societies that are struggling I think that there’s hope thank you very much
that there’s hope thank you very much
that there’s hope thank you very much [Applause]
”
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