Community Involvement in Ending Conflict and
Securing Peace
Securing Peace
By Bernadette Meehan, International Programs, Obama Foundation
Earlier this
year, ahead of President Obama’s trip to Berlin for
the Obama Foundation’s first international event, I wrote an email to let
people know that the Foundation will be actively involved in supporting young
leaders around the world as they seek to improve their communities and create
change at a local, national, and global level. Giovanni Anzola-Pardo, Director
of International Affairs at La Salle University in Bogotá, Colombia read my
email and wrote to me about it.
year, ahead of President Obama’s trip to Berlin for
the Obama Foundation’s first international event, I wrote an email to let
people know that the Foundation will be actively involved in supporting young
leaders around the world as they seek to improve their communities and create
change at a local, national, and global level. Giovanni Anzola-Pardo, Director
of International Affairs at La Salle University in Bogotá, Colombia read my
email and wrote to me about it.
As one of the
organizers of a summit on peacebuilding, Giovanni was working with seven universities,
the Government of Colombia, and a number of organizations to gather thousands
of students together to discuss how students and universities can contribute to
the Colombian peace process and help consolidate a lasting peace in a country
emerging from one of the longest armed conflicts in the world. He invited me to
travel to Colombia to share more about the Foundation’s work and our efforts to
help young people make an impact in their communities. Helping young people
take on big issues is what the Obama Foundation is all about, so I happily
accepted his invitation. I was thrilled to return to Colombia; I lived there
for two years when I worked as a Vice Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá more
than a decade ago.
organizers of a summit on peacebuilding, Giovanni was working with seven universities,
the Government of Colombia, and a number of organizations to gather thousands
of students together to discuss how students and universities can contribute to
the Colombian peace process and help consolidate a lasting peace in a country
emerging from one of the longest armed conflicts in the world. He invited me to
travel to Colombia to share more about the Foundation’s work and our efforts to
help young people make an impact in their communities. Helping young people
take on big issues is what the Obama Foundation is all about, so I happily
accepted his invitation. I was thrilled to return to Colombia; I lived there
for two years when I worked as a Vice Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá more
than a decade ago.
Yesterday, I
spoke to hundreds of students about the lessons I’ve learned during my 13 years
as a Foreign Service Officer for the Department of State. My point of view
comes from being a diplomat negotiating agreements between adversaries and then
working to ensure their successful implementation. Through these experiences, I
have come to learn that while civil conflict and peace are local at their core,
there are general lessons we can learn from the experiences of others.
spoke to hundreds of students about the lessons I’ve learned during my 13 years
as a Foreign Service Officer for the Department of State. My point of view
comes from being a diplomat negotiating agreements between adversaries and then
working to ensure their successful implementation. Through these experiences, I
have come to learn that while civil conflict and peace are local at their core,
there are general lessons we can learn from the experiences of others.
Here are a few
of the lessons I shared with the young people in Colombia about the importance
of civic engagement in peacebuilding and conflict resolution:
of the lessons I shared with the young people in Colombia about the importance
of civic engagement in peacebuilding and conflict resolution:
Lasting peace
is not just the work of governments.
Yes, governments handle the negotiations and sign the agreements (and often
get the credit), but the true key to success is in the hands of the citizens.
This is an incredible power to have, and should not be wasted. President Obama
said earlier this year that “ordinary people, when working together, can do
extraordinary things.” You don’t have to be an expert to make a lasting
difference — you just need to commit to taking action.
is not just the work of governments.
Yes, governments handle the negotiations and sign the agreements (and often
get the credit), but the true key to success is in the hands of the citizens.
This is an incredible power to have, and should not be wasted. President Obama
said earlier this year that “ordinary people, when working together, can do
extraordinary things.” You don’t have to be an expert to make a lasting
difference — you just need to commit to taking action.
Treating
others with dignity and respect — even when we disagree — matters.
Treating someone with dignity and respect does not mean you agree with
them, their actions, or their positions. But if you don’t treat the other side
as human, they will remain a faceless adversary, and it is much easier to dig
in to hardline positions or revert to violence. Talking respectfully with a
former enemy is incredibly difficult, but it is necessary to pursue and sustain
peace.
others with dignity and respect — even when we disagree — matters.
Treating someone with dignity and respect does not mean you agree with
them, their actions, or their positions. But if you don’t treat the other side
as human, they will remain a faceless adversary, and it is much easier to dig
in to hardline positions or revert to violence. Talking respectfully with a
former enemy is incredibly difficult, but it is necessary to pursue and sustain
peace.
There are many
different paths to peace, and many ways for people to become agents of
change — no matter your experience or commitment level.
You may think there is no role for a university student in peacebuilding.
It may seem like peacebuilding is better left to more experienced people. But
just remember, if these “more experienced people” were experts in peace, there
would not have been conflict in the first place. There is a role for everyone
in this process — no matter their level of experience or skillset. Be bold,
think big, take risks, and seek to change to the world — in whatever way is
meaningful to you.
different paths to peace, and many ways for people to become agents of
change — no matter your experience or commitment level.
You may think there is no role for a university student in peacebuilding.
It may seem like peacebuilding is better left to more experienced people. But
just remember, if these “more experienced people” were experts in peace, there
would not have been conflict in the first place. There is a role for everyone
in this process — no matter their level of experience or skillset. Be bold,
think big, take risks, and seek to change to the world — in whatever way is
meaningful to you.
Commit to
community service.
Find organizations that are actively involved in supporting peace, and
volunteer your time and share your skills. Organize events that bring
stakeholders from around the country together to make connections, share
resources, and learn from each other.
community service.
Find organizations that are actively involved in supporting peace, and
volunteer your time and share your skills. Organize events that bring
stakeholders from around the country together to make connections, share
resources, and learn from each other.
Apathy is
destructive.
This is your future. Don’t let previous generations decide what
your future will be simply because you don’t care enough to be involved.
destructive.
This is your future. Don’t let previous generations decide what
your future will be simply because you don’t care enough to be involved.
Women are key
to peace.
Do everything in your power to create a safe environment for them to
participate. You cannot succeed if half of your population is marginalized.
to peace.
Do everything in your power to create a safe environment for them to
participate. You cannot succeed if half of your population is marginalized.
Focus on
sustainability and do not be discouraged.
Fighting is often easier than making peace. Sustaining peace is often
harder than signing a peace accord. Expect setbacks. Remain committed. As
President Obama says, “hard things are hard”. In an age of instant
gratification, do not give up when problems aren’t solved immediately.
sustainability and do not be discouraged.
Fighting is often easier than making peace. Sustaining peace is often
harder than signing a peace accord. Expect setbacks. Remain committed. As
President Obama says, “hard things are hard”. In an age of instant
gratification, do not give up when problems aren’t solved immediately.
Young people
today are the holders of hope. That was evident in Colombia when I spoke with
students who were eager to make a contribution to the peace process. It is up
to each of us to make choices to become active citizens in our communities, and
to make positive and lasting contributions to these efforts. The Obama
Foundation seeks to create pathways and knock down barriers for people working
on issues that have been important to the Obamas, including promoting
inter-communal dialogue and conflict resolution like what is occurring in
Colombia.
today are the holders of hope. That was evident in Colombia when I spoke with
students who were eager to make a contribution to the peace process. It is up
to each of us to make choices to become active citizens in our communities, and
to make positive and lasting contributions to these efforts. The Obama
Foundation seeks to create pathways and knock down barriers for people working
on issues that have been important to the Obamas, including promoting
inter-communal dialogue and conflict resolution like what is occurring in
Colombia.
President
Obama is right when he says that that when we work together, we can achieve
extraordinary things. We want to hear more stories from
people like Giovanni about individuals and organizations making a positive
impact in their communities — and suggestions about how we can help — we’re
listening.
Obama is right when he says that that when we work together, we can achieve
extraordinary things. We want to hear more stories from
people like Giovanni about individuals and organizations making a positive
impact in their communities — and suggestions about how we can help — we’re
listening.
Read more from
the Obama Foundation:
the Obama Foundation:
·
Colombia
Colombia
·
Obama
Obama
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