Peace Messenger Seminar
Peace Messenger Seminar
Marly le Roi, near Paris, France (2-9 May 2009)
I think what impressed me about this seminar was the participants' commitment. A commitment to group learning, a commitment to group living, and a commitment to developing the role of Peace Messengers within their organisations.
The participants came from three continents, 19 countries and spoke many languages. In such a diverse group dynamics and group communication can be difficult but I don't think this was the case at this seminar because of the participants' determination and energy.
The programme at the seminar included peace education, SCI history and philosophy, conflict transformation, intercultural learning, communication etc. I think for most participants the most useful part of the seminar was the opportunity to develop and practice their workshops on delivering peace education inputs on work camps. It proved a very practical and positive learning experience.
Other highlights of the seminar were the excellent French food at lunch and dinner! Also the half-day trip to Paris and the party at the apartment of the SCI France president, Rémi. I am not sure if he had volunteered or had been ‘press ganged' into hosting the party but he seemed very relaxed and happy about having nearly 30 people descend on his apartment!
So what next? I heard the phrase ‘I want to make a difference' a lot at the seminar. I think being a Peace Messenger can ‘make a difference'. Maybe not a big difference but collectively I think Peace Messengers can have an impact and play an important and positive role in developing peace education in SCI and its partner organisations.
Finally, we need to acknowledge we have to operate in difficult times. We heard at the seminar that the place where the seminar was held, the Institute for Youth and Communication Education (INJEP) was closing. Apparently the French government had decided that the centre was not cost effective. This was strange, because, apparently, it made a profit every year. Maybe the reason was more overtly political. Maybe the French government felt uneasy to have a grassroots education project and preferred to deal with a more commercial and submissive organisation. It's not just INJEP that is ‘at risk'. On a global level wars are raging in many parts of the world and poverty and injustice are rife. On a more local level people are losing their jobs, their homes and entering a period of uncertainty. In such circumstances there may be a tendency to ‘batter down the hatches' and become insular and detached from the world. To blame others and retreat into isolationism. I think this would be a mistake. As the Chinese proverb goes ‘It is a better to light a candle than to curse the darkness'. Maybe Peace Messengers could be the candle of light we need right now!
Mike Burkett - IVS GB