Changing the World

I want to pause...and I want to see...

2011-12-31T14:02:00.000+01:00

Hola,

As New Year's eve approaches us and we celebrate that another 365 days have passed and new ones come, I want to pause not to look at the year as a beginning and an end, but as every moment spent, experiences lived, happy and sad moments, every sun felt, sometimes, at night, and every darkness felt, sometimes, in the middle of the day or even in a sunny morning.

I want to pause...

to acknowledge the twilight that brings uncertainty and freedom, the smiles, the tears, the frustrations, the dreams, hope, friendship and love.

I want to pause...

to acknowledge that every day is different, that every experience shapes me, that every person I meet makes a contribution to my life, that every challenge posed to me makes me stronger, that every frustration is worthy because it makes me more resilient, reflective and enables me to creatively walk other paths.

I want to pause...

to see the year as a compilation of different moments unfolded back and forth, intertwined with what has passed and what is yet to pass; a chain of events that have not finished and are not closed on the 31st of December but remain open to reshape us. The year is not a linear cycle; it is not a day after another; it is a connection of events, of moments, of people, of scenes, of exhilarating experiences that make us human.

I want to see....

that the days to come are not marked by the calendar

that I allow myself to be frustrated and to deal with it in creative ways

that I continue allowing myself to be myself with flaws and beauties and be aware of it and what it entails

that I don't strive for perfection but for goodness

that I do not worry about time and goals but about the now and my actions

that I detach from what I try to control or tries to control me and from what set boundaries to my spirit

I want to see...

Myself with more people (old and new ones in my life), living more experiences, visiting new places, letting the music of life guide me, and silence fill (my) emptiness, learning not for the sake of being the best in what I like but for the sake of making a contribution in others' lives, in (to) the world.

I want to see..

Myself connected to the world... Not constrained by others or by things... Not afraid of what comes next and more empathic and grounded to myself.

I want to see..

Myself finding the angel inside me, flying with the moon, walking facing the sun, and starting each day as a new day... as a new experience. As the song of Facundo Cabral tells us... This is a new day to start again... Este es un nuevo día para empezar de nuevo...

Enjoy the music and the lyrics in Spanish and...

Happy New Year... Happy tomorrow and experiences thereof to all of you!

Peace,

Malu

Letra - Facundo Cabral - Este es un Nuevo Día

Prosa
Esta es la canción que canto cada mañana al despertar,
Para agradecerle al Cielo,
La gentileza de un nuevo día,
Es decir de una nueva oportunidad.
Porque siempre se puede empezar de nuevo,
En una eternidad siempre se puede empezar de nuevo,
Y esto es tan cierto como que el paraiso no está perdido sino olvidado.

Canto:
Este es un nuevo día,
Para empezar de nuevo,
Para buscar al ángel,
Que me crece los sueños.

Para cantar,
Para reir,
Para volver
A ser feliz Bis

Prosa:
Todos nacemos con un ángel de la guarda,
Pero pocos lo conservamos,
Hay quien prefiere un sicoanalista.
Todos tenemos una conciencia,
Pero pocos la escuchamos,
Hay quien prefiere la televisión.

Todos somos ricos, es decir hijos de Dios,
Pero pocos lo sabemos,

Perdona hermano que yo no entienda que no seas feliz
en tan bello planeta,
que hayas hecho un cementerio de esta tierra,
que es una fiesta.

Tienes un corazón, un cerebro,
Un alma, un espíritu,
Entonces como puedes sentirte pobre y desdichado.

Canto:
En este nuevo día,
Yo dejaré al espejo,
Y trataré de ser,
Por fin un hombre nuevo,

De cara al Sol,
Caminaré,
Y con la Luna,
Volaré. Bis.

Prosa:
Ahora mismo le puedes decir basta a la mujer que ya no te gusta,
Al hombre que ya no amas,
Al trabajo que odias,
A las cosas que te encadenan a la tarjeta de crédito,
A los noticieros que te envenenan desde la mañana y desde el helicóptero,
A los que quieren dirigir tu vida.

Ahora mismo le puedes decir basta al miedo que heredaste,
Porque la vida es aquí y ahora mismo,
Por eso:

Canto:
Este es un nuevo día,
Para empezar de nuevo,
Para buscar al ángel,
Que nos crece los sueños.

Para cantar,
Para reir,
Para volver
A ser feliz Bis

Si Señor.

Education and Fragility - Meeting in Brussels

2011-12-02T19:25:00.000+01:00

Hello,

After a very intense summer traveling and doing some consultancies, I finally returned home at the end of September to focus on finishing my thesis and writing a chapter of a book on Evaluation of Peace Education Programs that will be published in 2012.

Just after the Nepal workshop in September I got the proposal for a new and very interesting job, and in November I signed the contract. I have not started to work yet, waiting to get the Swiss work permit. Hopefully I will start by the end of January. I will be working in the field of education and emergencies, specifically with fragile contexts, working with different organizations promoting conflict-sensitive programming and planning in the education sector.

I am very excited since this is a field I am really passionate about. Previously I worked in promoting quality education in some (not only) areas affected by armed conflicts, ethnic divisions or violence, training educators on how to deliver education programs that enhance a constructive living together and mutual understanding and respect. However, I did not work directly on influencing education policies. With this new job I will be working at the international level creating dialogue and generating new thinking on the need, importance and benefits of providing quality education systems in contexts of fragility. This is what makes me excited and challenged. One of my professional objectives is to work in enhancing quality education in formal settings, and this job opportunity is an excellent step towards contributing to that goal.

At the end of October, I attended a meeting in Brussels on education and fragility with several organizations working in this area that are part of a group I will be working with. I learned a lot, got to know more about this field, connected academic ideas with what was discussed, linked my previous working experiences with the discussions, and reflected a lot about the work I will be doing and the relation to my thesis on peace education.

Two main ideas about fragility and education:

Fragility is commonly defined as the lack of capacity or willingness of a State to provide basic and life-saving services to the population, which in turn results in conflict, state collapse, loss of territorial control, extreme political instability, clientelist policies and repression or denial of resources to subgroups of the population. Read more at INEE Education and Fragility.

Education can encourage inclusive and constructive living together of individuals and communities, which can contribute to conflict prevention and long-term peace building. Contrariwise, depending on the nature of its design and implementation, education can perpetuate or entrench dynamics of fragility. This is why it is extremely important to design education systems and programs that are inclusive, relevant to the social, political and economic contexts, that allow equal access to everyone and promote equity. Peace education can play an important role in developing curricula and methodologies that can mitigate conflict and violence.

I will be sharing more about this topics during this year and I hope to contribute to advance this area at the academic and practical levels.

You can watch this video from Save the Children about their work in the so called Fragile States.

Peace,

Malu

Narratives and the Colombian Armed Conflict

2011-11-27T11:29:00.000+01:00

Hello,

This is a post I wanted to write many months ago but I didn't have a right moment to fully reflect about it. The recent violent events in Colombia, the current reforms of the legal system, education, health, justice and tributary, among others, triggered off many reflections about the types of narratives we hear and are emphasized in the mainstream media, and to which most Colombians adhere to. These thoughts are somehow intertwined with the attributed relations between war and peace, the armed conflict and the ongoing killing between guerrilla groups and the military forces.

Some time ago I posted on Facebook a few comments and articles about corruption and the violation of human rights in the Colombian army due to several scandals involving military forces and the government; as a response, I received a message from a friend in Colombia who said I was using my network of friends to defame the Colombian Army and that they were decent people defending the country and rightly doing their job. He claimed there is no corruption in the military and that my comments were unfounded and based on my limited view of the Colombian reality as a Colombian living abroad and working for an international NGO that as other NGOs and international organizations only judge the government without understanding what is really going on in the country.

When Alfonso Cano, FARC leader, was killed a few days ago by the Colombian army, there were many people who publicly displayed their happiness through social networks, and other who blatantly praised the government and the military forces for the great work they are doing defending the country and its citizens. What a Great Victory! many exclaimed. Some shared that they are against killing but anyhow they felt relieved with the killing of a member of FARC who has caused so much suffering to the country. A few publicly shared their discontent with the way the government is dealing with the guerrilla and the armed conflict, and a very limited group raised the question if this will actually lead to a real peace in Colombia.

Yesterday, four members of the army who were kept in captivity by FARC, were killed in cold blood amidst a military operation in the area where they were held. As a result of this terrible crime, many people in Colombia are raising their voices again against guerrillas; some invoked the use of more military force and to harden the military operations. Many are using social media to question those who defend non-military interventions asking if there are still reasons to defend guerrilla members. Those who call themselves patriots, are using military slogans to support the Colombian Army and are advocating for more violence to ironically achieve peace.

I believe everyone has the right to share their views, and publicly express what they want and what they believe in. I also believe there are not right or wrong answers cut in stone and nobody is really innocent in this terrible war that my country faces. However, I also strongly believe Colombia is sadly manipulated by a single narrative; a narrative that exults military operations and victories, a narrative that justifies war supposedly to achieve peace; a narrative that portrays good and evil, and dichotomous views; a narrative that divides people and corners those who think differently; a narrative that silences the voices of the opposition, that ignores the root causes of violence and justifies crimes in the name of peace; a narrative that tells us that it is right to kill to defend what we think is the "greater good". This narrative is like a plague that infects the system, relationships, ways of thinking and paralyzes the body and the brain, making it unable to think critically. It is this plague that makes people reactive when someone tries to show a different perspective of the armed conflict, tries to humanize guerrilla members or challenge what the mainstream media publicizes. A plague that makes us unable to zoom out from the armed conflict we are immersed in and look at the situation with other lenses, the lenses of peace.

I fully reject violence and I fully reject military operations as a way to solve the Colombian conflict. I understand, however, that due to the protracted and systemic violence in the country, it is difficult to see a negotiated way out. But isn't it obvious that violence is only bringing more violence to the country? Killing FARC leaders has not weakened their operations, on the contrary, has strengthened their desire for revenge and hardened their cause. Isn't it clear that war is a machinery that is destroying our capacity to develop a united country and our ability to think and act in peaceful terms?

If we advocate for more violence as a reaction to what FARC did, we are letting that plague continue infecting us and we are letting our more humane instinct and side perish. If we let ourselves fall into the pretentious and unfounded narrative that military operations will bring peace to the country, we are condemning our country, our children and our future to hatred, to the recurrence of violence to solve differences and supporting a political and economic status quo that is sowing inequality and injustices.

Others will argue with me that they prefer this plague than the FARC plague, which also entails their own narrative; and I respond: I am not defending criminals of any type, I am advocating for a better country and for ideals that challenge corruption, inequality, injustices and the individualistic and privatized view of welfare. I am advocating for critical thinking and for consciousness about the condition this plague has turned us into.

It is not about right or wrong, about not understanding the Colombian reality, or living in Colombia or not, or being on one side or the other; it is about peacefully transforming the armed conflict and building a society where everyone has the right to fully enjoy not only their basic needs but also their freedom, identity and individual and collective life.

What is your narrative? Which narrative do you support? Can you challenge it? Is your narrative constructed on the basis of different voices and views? Can we create a new narrative?

Peace,

Malu

Nepal: A country to visit and explore

2011-11-10T22:01:00.000+01:00

Hello,

After the workshop on the Learning to Live Together manual in Kathmandu, I spent three days more in Nepal to visit some cultural places and to learn about the country and its people. There is so much to share and talk about and yet so little I know and understand about the Nepalese culture and traditions. I will show you some of the places I visited in the Kathmandu valley and in Pokhara, hoping this journey will be of inspiration for you to visit Nepal!

We arrived to Nepal during the Indrajatra festival, which is celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists alike. The festival is named after Lord Indra who is considered the god of rain and also the king of heaven. One of the interesting facts about this festival is that the Kumari, or living goddess, leaves her temple and leads a procession through the streets of Kathmandu to thank god Indra. Kumari means young unmarried girl. The word is derived from the Sanskrit Kaumarya meaning "virgin". The selection of the Kumari is a very interesting one and the rituals that it entails are very thought-provoking. You can read more here.

With Sanu, one of the workshop facilitators, in Durbar square. The Kathmandu Durbar square lies in the heart of the city. It holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over Kathmandu. The Malla kings ruled as early as the 13th century until the 18th century, and the Shah ruled between 1767 to 1846. The Durbar square includes many temples dedicated to Hindu gods and goddess. The architecture is out-stoning, displaying the talents and skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen from the 15th to 18th centuries.

Statue of Hanuman, in Hanuman Dhoka Durbar gate. Hanuman is a Hindu deity, who is a devotee of lord Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana. Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the struggle against the demon king Ravana. The entire Palace complex is actually named after Hanuman and is regarded as a powerful protector of the entire Durbar square.

Men drinking a holy offering of Jaand, a traditional liquor poured from the Bhairab’s mouth. Bhairava is known as the fierce manifestation of Shiva. He is invoked in prayers to destroy enemies. The statue of Bhaira is displayed twice a year, once on Indrajatra week and the other on Maha Nawami of Dashain.

People praying to one of the statues. Unfortunately I don't remember which one this is.

People in Durbar square.

The architecture of the temples in Durbar square is amazing and the doors and windows carved in wooden are just beautiful. The same type of windows can be found in the other squares of the Kathmandu valley.

Someone needed some rest after a long day and in the midst of a hectic evening!

After the workshop on the Learning to Live Together finished we went for a quick visit to a beautiful Buddhist temple where two of the monks who attended the workshop live. Here is a photo of the pagoda inside the temple.

Early in the morning after the workshop, Suchith and I went to visit Kopan monastery. During our stay in Kathmandu we stayed in the house of Marjolaine, a woman from the Netherlands/Bolivia, who has lived in Nepal for many years and who was the first one to be in contact with Arigatou International to organize a workshop on the Learning to Live Together manual in Kathmandu. Unfortunately she was not in Nepal during those days but we stayed at her place, which she shares with two monks from the Kopan monastery. Here with Shenpen Lama, who kindly showed us the place and spent many hours with us.

"The True Meaning of Life". We are visitors of this planet. We are here for ninety or one hundred years at the very most. During that period, we must try to do something good, something useful with our lives. If you contribute to other people's happiness, you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

"If you want to change the world, first try to improve and bring about change within yourself. That will help to change your family. From there it just gets bigger and bigger. Everything we do has some effect, some impact."

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

One of the gardens of the monastery. We had a silent breakfast and then had the opportunity to walk around, learn about the new constructions, the life in the monastery and the programs and activities they organize.

One of the temples of the monastery.

Another temple in the monastery. Kopan is internationally well-known as a meditation and retreat center and organizes several programs during the year for foreigners.

A beautiful sheep at the Kopan monastery.

Little monks preparing themselves to go to the cremation ceremony of one of the lamas that passed away.

View of Kathmandu from the monastery.

After the visit to the Kopan monastery we headed to Amitaba Buddha Park. The Amitaba Buddha statue in the center measures a total height of 67 feet from the ground and is now the biggest Buddhist statue in Nepal. The other two statues measure 64 feet high each.

I was amazed by the amount of monkeys in the park, just hanging out, staring at people and in a meditative pose. Many of them were mothers with their little ones and this one just caught my attention. The little monkey was so cute just looking at me and at the same time holding his mom! Look at the face of the mother, her arms around the little one, the confidence and protection she offers to the son! Beautiful!

Amitaba Buddha statue.

Outside the park, many people selling clothes, fruits, food, etc. Here is one selling coconuts!

At the Swayambhu, which is one of the oldest religious sites of Nepal.

When you enter the Swayambhu there are some shops with Nepalese handicrafts. After you pass the shops there are some stairs that lead you to the temple and actual Swayambhu site.

I stopped in one of the shops and got amazed by the sound of the Sarangi. It is a traditional Nepalese string instrument. It is made up of a single piece of wood and it has four strings. I bought it for Paul and the seller who made it himself, played it for me and taught me how to tune it . Enjoy the video and the beautiful music!

Love the bells that decorate many of the sites in Kathmandu. They look impressive and powerful.

Beautiful Nepalese girl with traditional make up. This is called kohl makeup. Itis believed the kohl will shield the child from the dangers of theevil eye, though it is also said that it contains dangerous toxins that are damaging for the children.

At the Swayambhunath which is also called the Monkey Temple. The history tells that King Pratap Malla, the powerful king of Kathmandu, constructed the eastern stairway that leads to the temple in the 17th century. According to myths Swayambhunath was founded by the great-grandfather of King Manadeva, King Vrsadeva, in the beginning of the 5th century AD. This was later confirmed by a damaged stone inscription found at the site, which indicated that King Manadeva ordered work done in 640 AD. It is also said that Emperor Ashoka visited the site in the 3rd century BC and built a temple on the hill, which was later destroyed. Legend has it that the Buddha himself visited Swayambhunath and gave teachings there two hundred years earlier. Read here

Shops selling traditional Nepalese handicrafts and other items for the tourists.

Dipanker Buddha from the 7th Century - made of a single stone. Dipanker Buddha refers to one of the Buddhas of the past, said to have lived on Earth one hundred thousand years. This was impressive! How many times you can find on the streets of a city a 7th century statue in this state. Definitively walking around the Kathmandu streets is like walking in a museum. Amazing!

Touching the prayer wheel. According to the texts on the prayer wheels, prayer wheels are used to accumulate wisdom and merit (good karma) and to purify negativities (bad karma). Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. For the first time I heard this beautiful mantra. It was played everywhere outside the temples that I was inspired to buy the CD and I play it at home for meditation. Try it, it is very powerful.

After the visit to Swayambhunath we went to Bhaktapur which is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley. It is the third largest city in Kathmandu valley and was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century. Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork. This was the most beautiful place I saw in the Kathmandu valley. Pleasant, beautiful, relaxing and it just transports you to another world where you can be an observant of unknown smells, sounds, architecture and traditions.

Inside the local museum which displays very beautiful ancient statues. As you can see in this photo the building is totally carved in wood. It is astonishing. Unfortunately this blog is becoming too long so I can't upload all the pictures.

Durbar Square is also home to the Big Bell, built by the last Malla king of Bhaktapur, Ranajit Malla in the 18th century. It was rung to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju and to call the public to town meetings. More here

At the Golden Gate, built in 1756.

Inside the courtyard of the palace built by King Bhupatindra Malla, you can find the Naga Pokhari, a 17th-century royal water tank encircled by a writhing stone cobra (naga). The nagas rise up on scaled pillars and water pours from a goat's head that protrudes from the mouth of a makara (crocodile demon). The tank was traditionally used for the daily ritual bath of the goddess Taleju. It is a pity that it is not being properly taken care of and it looks very dirty and worn out. More here

Dattatreya Temple constructed by King Yaksha Malla, the giant three-storied temple is believed to have been built with the stem of a single tree. It is dedicated to a three-headed combination of the Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It is a very beautiful place though there are many beggars sleeping at the entrance.

Nyatapola Temple is a 5 story pagoda. The temple was erected by Nepali King Bhupatindra Malla during a 5 month period from late 1701 into 1702. It is five-tiered pagoda dedicated to the Hindu goddess Siddhi Lakshmi. She is the wrathful manifestation of the Goddess Durga. The temple rests on a base of five levels with four Ganesh shrines in each of the corners. Nyatapola means “five-story temple” in the Newari language. The Goddess Durga is known as "the invincible" or the one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress. It is depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and a lotus flower, maintaining a meditative smile, and practicing mudras, or symbolic hand gestures.

At the end of the day we went to Pashupatinath, regarded as the most sacred and the largest Hindu temple of Lord Shiva in Nepal. It is located in the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu. It is also the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu and was established in the 5th century. In the 14th century the Mughal invaders destroyed a significant part of the temple, so very little or nothing remains of the original 5th century temple exterior. Read more

It started to rain very heavily so we couldn't really walk around, though we had the opportunity to witness a Hindu funeral. It was a very different experience, sad, powerful, insightful and shocking at the same time.

While waiting for the rain to stop, we made some friends! We couldn't communicate because of the language barrier, but it was nice to spend some time trying to understand each other!

At the end of the day we went to a typical Newari restaurant. PENN (Peace Education Network of Nepal) members organized a dinner for us which was delicious, entertaining and just memorable! Here a group playing Nepalese traditional music. Just beautiful!

Sanu's beautiful family! Sanu's husband was my guide in Kathmandu. He was just amazing! Took me to all places, patiently waited for me to do shopping and look at all sites. He also bargained for me!

With PENN members, Sam and Suchith from Sarvodaya. The night was very special even though we experienced a very strong tremor due to the earthquake that took place in India and was felt in some parts of Nepal. It was very scary and we were just grateful everyone here was safe.

We had several traditional dances. Here is one of the dancers in her traditional clothing.

After a very intense day visiting several places in the Kathmandu valley, next morning we headed to Pokhara, 200 km away. We took a bus for around eight hours to this beautiful town located at the centre of the country in the Annapurna region, offering beautiful landscapes and wonderful panoramic views of the Himalayas. Though when we were there the weather was not so good to see the mountains.

I only stayed for one night in Pokhara and returned to Kathmandu by plane next day in the afternoon. We walked around the streets and there was a festival going on that day. I have no clue what it was about, but mainly men where dancing with their faces and t-shirts painted. We continued walking, had lunch in a restaurant over viewing the beautiful Phewa lake and then rented a boat.

We rented a boat for an hour and went to a small island just 10 minutes from the shore where you can find a temple called Barahi. It is a two-storied pagoda dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female force Shakti.

At the Barahi temple.

Beautiful landscape from the boat. Pokhara is the starting point for many trekkers to the Annapurna massif. It is famous for being the land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. When we entered Pokhara there were many banners promoting the recruitment of Gurkha soldiers. Apparently they are used as soldiers in the British, India, Singapore and Nepali armies.

We tried to go paragliding, which is internationally well-known in the area, but it was cancelled due to bad weather conditions. It was a pity since the experience promised to be an amazing one with a wonderful view of the Annapurna. I guess we had a very short time in Pokhara, but for those interested, you can pay for a mountain flight from Pokhara that takes you on an aerial sightseeing tour of the western Himalaya.

We finished the day doing some shopping and with a very good Indian dinner. I was happy to see many shops selling products to support women. Many of the handicrafts, especially bags, are made by women from the area and the products are sold in many of the shops in Pokhara.

Next day we went to Gupteswar Mahadev Cave, located in the southern end of the city. The cave itself was not very impressive. It is divided in two parts. The first part is about 40 meters long, there is a natural cave and a temple of Lord Shiva. The second part start after the temple leads you to Devi's fall, though it was closed due to weather conditions.

At the entrance of the cave.

We crossed the street and went to Devi's fall. Legend has it that a trekker called David or Devin fell into the fall and mysteriously appeared down into an underground passage beneath it. The view is very beautiful and the site inspires you to relax, take a deep breath, enjoy the nature, the sound of the water falling and the fresh smells.

Just outside the water falls there is this offering to the Goddess Manakamana. ‘Mana’ means the ‘heart’ or ‘soul’ and ‘kamana’ means the ‘wish’. It is believed that if the coin offered to the goddess is stuck on the plate of the image, the wishes would be fulfilled.

After visiting the falls, we went to see the World Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa. We hiked for about 10 minutes to the top from the Chhorepatan road, looking at the beautiful views of the Pokhara mountains. The pagoda was finished in 1999 atop a hill overlooking Phewa lake.

Unfortunately the weather was not very good so this picture does not do justice to the beauty of the pagoda.

You can click on the image and read more about the history of the construction of the World Peace Pagoda, the first in Nepal.

After this visit I wen to the airport to take my flight back to Kathmandu where I stayed one night more.

When I arrived in the afternoon, Sanu's husband picked me up and took me to Lalitpur, which is one of the three districts in the Kathmandu Valley, along with Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. This area is also known as Patan and is one of the major cities of Nepal.

I must say that Patan was not as beautiful as Bhaktapur but still a very interesting place and a must see in Nepal. It is said that the city was initially designed in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness). The four mounds located on the perimeter of Patan are ascribed around, one at each corner of its cardinal points, which are popularly known as Ashoka Stupas. Legend has it that Emperor Asoka (the legendary King of India) visited with his daughter Charumati to Kathmandu in 250 B.C. and erected five Ashoka Stupas, four in the surrounding and one at the middle of the Patan. The size and shape of these stupas seem to breathe their antiquity in a real sense. There are more than 1,200 Buddhist monuments of various shapes and sizes scattered in and around the city.

The most important monument of the city is Patan Durbar Square, which has been listed by UNESCO as one of seven Monument Zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site. Here I am at the Durbar square in front of the Krishna Mandir temple, built in the 16th century. This temple is considered as the masterpiece of Shikhar style temple in Nepal. It is a three-storied temple with 21 golden pinnacles. It is said that not a single nail or wood has been used to built it. Thousands of devotees of lord Krishna observe the temple on the day of “Krishnastami” every year.

Mani Keshab Chowk Golden Gate. This was formerly the residence of the Malla kings. This section now houses one of the finest collections of religious art in Asia. Partly funded by the Austrian government. Unfortunately it was closed when I was there.

After we went to the temple of the thousand Buddhas or Mahabuddha Temple which is a shikhar style Buddhist temple made of terracotta bricks with fine statues and carvings. It was built about 450 years ago and it took three generations and 36 years (1564 A.D to 1600 A.D) time to complete it. It was reconstructed in 1934 and in 1999 due to the impact of the earthquakes that hit the city.

Terracotta bricks with Buddha statues.

Next day we went to Budhanilkantha about 8km north of Kathmandu. It hosts an enormous statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining on a bed of snakes. It is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water. The most striking feature of the monument is its crown, which is always covered with either plain cloth, usually hidden under an accumulation of flowers (as you can see in the photo). The priests in charge never allow a view of, nor uncover, the crown saying that it is against tradition. No photographs or pictures above the forehead is available. Though the exact date of the construction of the image is unknown, the image is at least 1300 years old and five meters long. Read more

Me ringing the bell at Budhanilkantha!

My last visit was to Boudhanath, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and is one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The Stupa stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch of righteous behavior and human prosperity. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The base of the stupa is surrounded by a brick wall with 147 inches, each with four or five prayer wheels engraved with the mantra, om mani padme hum. Thousands of prayer flags are hoisted up from the top of the stupa downwards and dot the parameters of the complex. Read more

The Boudhanath was one of the most beautiful places I visited. It is colorful, magnificent and brings you into a state of tranquility and relaxation. This is a temple inside the site.

Prayer wheel in motion.

Around the site there are many shops selling traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. I bought a prayer wheel and some other presents.

Finally after a busy morning and before going to the airport, I went for lunch with Sanu, her husband, her sister in law and Kul.

From right to left; Sanu, her husband and Kul.

Sanu and her sister in law, who also participated in the Learning to Live Together workshop.

What a wonderful trip! Too short for all what is there to see, appreciate and learn about, but a very unique experience filled with many discoveries, insights and reflections. I am already looking forward to going back to Nepal to explore more of this ancient and magnificent land.

Thanks for the wonderful time.

Peace,

Malu

Basic Workshop on the Learning to Live Together manual in Kathmandu, Nepal

2011-11-03T00:43:00.000+01:00

Hello,

My next two posts are related to the wonderful trip I did to Nepal in September. This first post is about the Workshop on the Learning to Live Together manual for educators in Kathmandu from 15 to 17 September. The second post will be about historical places in the Kathmandu valley and a trip to Pokhara, with some reflections about cultural traditions.

The workshop was organized by the Peace Education Network of Nepal (PENN) in cooperation with GNRC South Asia and Arigatou International. We had 26 participants mostly coming from the UNESCO Associated Schools Network, some of them teachers and others principles of schools interested to implement ethics education programs and to learn more about intercultural and interfaith learning.

With the facilitators team - (from left to right)- Suchith, Malu, Sam, Sanu and Kul

I facilitated the workshop with four wonderful people: Suchith who is the GNRC Asia Secretariat Coordinator, one of my best friends, and with whom I have worked several times. We know each other for almost eight years, we have different ways of facilitating and we complement each other very well. Suchith is more practical and I am more holistic thinking, looking at different factors and trying to understand why things fail or succeed to have a better outcome. Suchith connects the dots in my brain through his practical way of thinking and fast-paced need to make this happen.

The other three facilitators participated in the Train the Trainers course we had in Sri Lanka in August. Sanu is a member of PENN, a teacher by profession and principal of a school in Kathmandu. Sanu was responsible for making this workshop happen. She was in charge of all logistics, invitations and coordinated the PENN team to make sure everything was in place for a successful workshop. Sam works for Sarvodaya in Nepal and was fully involved in the content preparation. Kul is a PENN member, finished his Master degree in peace studies and now works with an NGO working on democratic processes. The three of them played a great role in creating a proper learning atmosphere, connecting to the local reality and environment, and bringing different ideas to the facilitation process. We made a great team together and I am happy we connected so well.

On my first day in Kathmandu we visited the Hindu Vidyapeeth school headed by Chintanami Yogi, who is a member of the GNRC and its representative in Nepal. We met Vishnu ji and Ghanshyam Yogi, who are teachers of the school and we also had the opportunity to meet some of the students, talk about their experiences and learning.

Here (from left to right) Jagannath, one of the youth who participated in the Youth for Peace Workshop in Tanzania in 2010. Chantani Yogi, founder of the school. Sahara, one of the youth who participated in a workshop we had in Sri Lanka in 2008. Aashrita, another youth who participated in the workshop we had in Sri Lanka. Vishnuji whom I met in Sri Lanka as well and one of the teachers of the school.

After a couple of days preparation with the facilitators' team, we started the workshop with an opening ceremony that brought together the participants, PENN members, children from Sanu's school, UNESCO Associated Schools representative in Kathmandu and the Secretary of Education in Nepal.

Children from Sanu's school prepared a special performance, representing different religious traditions. They danced and sang very beautifully and with their innocence they reminded the participants about the important role of creating quality education systems and programs that provide them with the possibility to learn from one another and learn to respect each others' beliefs and traditions.

I gave a short speech as representative of Arigatou International about ethics education and intercultural and interfaith learning. I talked about the importance of critical thinking and creating environments that allow children to develop their capacity to make well-grounded decisions.

Participants shared their learning expectations in terms of the kind of content they would like to deepen and share their experiences about. We collected them and made sure that we gave space to meet those expectations every day through different methodologies.

On the first afternoon, after a long opening ceremony, we gave an introduction of the manual and then asked participants to look at the different kiosks that comprised the learning modules. They discussed the content of the kiosks, what it means for them and what are the main elements that are important in each kiosk. It was a challenging afternoon, since it was the first day, many of the things were new for the participants, though for many they had good experience working on similar topics. It was challenging to discuss what seems obvious and still find depth in topics and words that we use, sometimes, on daily basis.

On the second day we had a session about child rights and the reality of children in Nepal according to participants' knowledge and experiences. Participants went through the Convention on the Rights of the Child to reflect on which articles are properly protected in Nepal and which ones still need to be promoted, protected and understood better. We found contradictions and difficulties applying some of the articles in the Nepali context but also found ways to apply some of them in schools settings and to raise awareness as educators. Though it was difficult in the beginning to create a genuine dialogue with the participants, we managed to discuss meaningful topics and stop to listen to one another.

Some of the participants discussing the right of children to participate fully in society and about issues concerning bullying in schools.

We had a Talk Show about spirituality and interfaith learning run by the participants themselves. They engaged in dialogue about key questions regarding how to nurture spirituality in children and how to promote interfaith learning spaces. They challenged each other with questions and made connections between spirituality and ethics.

To finalize the day, participants reflected about their different points of view and the importance of respecting others' beliefs and ideas. It was a very interesting exercise that sometime became heated but supported the individual learning process and the creation of respectful dialogues. At the end participants were briefly introduced to different methodologies applied in the Learning to Live Together manual.

The last day started with a morning reflection through an exercise to put ourselves in the place of the other. Participants were blind-folded and were asked to walk around aware of the space, the other and themselves. There were laughs, fear, discomfort, easiness and discovery. When they were asked to take off their blind folds they found another person in front of them. They looked at each other for some time and engaged in a short dialogue with the other person. Together we discussed the importance of looking at others' inner selves, of putting ourselves in children's shoes, of the difficulties trying to understand the other and going beyond what our eyes see and can perceive.

After the blind-folded exercise, participants were asked to walk around the room to write on flipcharts the kind of techniques and/or activities we used during the workshop and to which methodology they belong to. Since the Learning to Live Together workshops are participatory and experiential, participants can better internalize the methodologies through the exercises they go through and can link it better to their own experiences.

The techniques and activities written under introspection-based methodologies

On the last day we asked participants to work in groups and prepare a session based on the Learning to Live Together manual. They had to select one of the learning modules, a kiosk, define the objectives, select a methodology and technique and prepare and activity. Two groups had to actually do the activity with the other participants and the other groups had to present it.

One of the groups that facilitated their session chose an activity called the Silhouette, that can be found in the manual. This is an introspective-based activity to put ourselves in others' shoes.

Each part of the silhouette relates to a feeling, a desire, an action, a though, etc.

The second group prepared an activity based on cooperation. Participants had to cross a fictitious river full of crocodiles by stepping on stones and working together. It was a very exciting activity where participants had the chance to reflect about the skills needed to work together.

The other groups presented their sessions. All of them were very creative and all participants gave feedback and inputs to their learning process.

We were very happy to see the type of activities selected, the creativity put and the team work

Participants also had the time to do some energizers, which served not only to raise the energy level but also as examples to be used with children and youth.

At the end of the day participants had time to reflect about the different values promoted in the Learning to Live Together manual and what they mean for them. The purpose of the exercise was to internalize the process they went through, reflect on their role as educators and as models for children and youth.

Participants went through different areas and went through some questions. They reflected individually and took the time needed for themselves.

At the end of the workshop, PENN members presented a plan to follow up the workshop, to engage participants in a longer term process and to establish a group of trainers on the Learning to Live Together manual in Nepal. This was a very clear and concise plan that will allow them to work towards their goal to implement the manual in schools in the country. I am already looking forward to learning more about the next steps and results.

We closed the workshop with a mandala where participants put their learning, challenges and experiences they took with them from the workshop. It was a very significant and bonding exercise, where we expressed our gratitude and commitment to continue working for and with children and youth.

Participants receiving their certificates during the closing ceremony. PENN members were also present.

Group photo!

It was a very interesting, challenging and rewarding workshop. The last I did with Arigatou International. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn about different working styles, cultural differences in learning processes and shape myself through the interaction with people of different beliefs, walks of life and backgrounds. What a great experience. Thank you!

Peace,

Malu

Sixth Wedding Anniversary in Thailand!

2011-10-28T00:43:00.000+02:00

Hola,

This is a very interesting post about the celebration of our sixth wedding anniversary in Thailand. I had always wanted to visit Thailand and explore their culture and traditions but hadn't had the opportunity to do it. Every year for our wedding anniversary we try to go to exotic places so this time we went to my dream place: Thailand. It was amazing. I enjoyed a lot, ate delicious food, rested and had a wonderful time with Paul. I think we couldn't have selected a better place to celebrate all these great years of marriage.

Unfortunately we only stayed eight days and could only visit Bangkok and Koh Samui. We were thinking of going to other areas but it was rainy in the north and therefore we decided to head south and stay most of the time in the beautiful island of Koh Samui. I will walk you through the trip showing you a selection of pictures and giving you a few explanations and reflections.

Paul and I met at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok at around mid day. Paul arrived from Geneva and I arrived from Colombo. After almost one hour in a taxi we arrived to our hotel where we spent two nights before going to Koh Samui. The hotel was very beautiful, the service was excellent, everyone was smiling and we started to feel on holidays!

We had a very romantic and delicious dinner at the hotel, nice cocktails and a wonderful evening

Paul enjoying the dinner!

Next day we took a little boat from the hotel and crossed the Chao Phraya river to go to the old city. Here is the view!

There is a lot of contrast on the way. On one side you can see very beautiful buildings, skyscrapers, and on the other a lot of poverty and houses built on poles over the river.

Here is Paul standing next to Tuk Tuks, typical Thai transportation

We went to Wat Phra Kaew which is a huge and very impressive compound that also includes the former residence of the Thai monarch, the Grand Palace. The glittering temples and pagodas are amazing and you feel like hundreds of years back in time. Within this area is located the most sacred Buddhist temple of Thailand, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We entered the temple and rejoiced in meditation and awe.

Paul next to a mythical giant, Yaksha

Paul and I in front of the Wat Phra Kaew Complex

Grand Palace complex

Around the Grand Palace

Beautiful lotus

Children praying at the temple

Paul in front of the Ministry of Defense

After lunch we headed to Wat Pho where you can find the largest reclining Buddha statue, the largest collection of Budda images in Thailand and the country's earliest centre for public education.

The reclining Buddha statue is very impressive. It is 46 m long and 15 m high and illustrates the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. We were standing for a while just revering the magnificence of this statue and the tranquility it brings.

The temple has more than 1000 Buddha statues

Beautiful and breath-taking

With one of the several Chinese stone giants guarding the gates

Had a great dinner in the evening after a long day walking, discovering historical places and getting amazed by the beauty of Bangkok

Next day in the morning we took a plane to Koh Samui, which is the third largest island in Thailand. Koh Samui is located 700km south of Bangkok and about 80km from the eastern coastline of Southern Thailand. It has a population of over 50,000.

In down town Koh Samui

We stayed in a very beautiful hotel, and again, the service was outstanding. People were very friendly, willing to help all the time and always with a smile in their faces! After exploring the hotel in the afternoon and enjoying the swimming pool, we had a delicious dinner in one of the restaurants of the hotel.

Traditional Thai soup

We spent four nights and five days in Koh Samui. Here is the entrance of the hotel.

Koh Samui was probably first inhabited about 15 centuries ago, settled by fishermen from the Malay Peninsula and Southern China. It appears on Chinese maps dating back to 1687, under the name Pulo Cornam. The name Samui perhaps is an extension of the name of one of the native trees, mui, or came from the Chinese word Saboey, meaning "safe haven".

We had a one day tour around the island, visiting several local places and a Safari Park. Here is Paul at Wat Phra Yai or temple of the Big Buddha. The statue was erected in 1972 and it is 12 m high. This is one of Koh Samui's landmarks visible from several kilometers away and from the air.

Paul ringing the bells around the Big Buddha statue and enjoying the amazing view!

In one of the local markets!

Hin Ta and Hin Yai, are very beautiful rock formations on Koh Samui’s south coast. These rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai) look, respectively, like male and female genitalia.

A ride around nature - Here you can see a buffalo

Beautiful landscape

Anodas pool. Unfortunately I don't remember the history of this place but these are beautiful statues carved in stone surrounding a water stream.

We visited Wat Khunaram temple that hosts a mummified monk called Luang Phaw Daeng, that has been dead for over two decades but his corpse is preserved sitting in a meditative pose and with a pair of sunglasses.

Luang Phaw Daeng

At the Na Muang 2 Waterfall. We were brought to this place to bathe for a while before heading to the animal park.

At lunch time we headed to Namuang Safari Park. It was a good experience though it was a bit sad and disturbing. We spent several hours in this park, observing animals and participating in several animal shows.

It was amazing how close you can be to nature. I could feed this sweet baby tiger. It was a very beautiful experience though I wonder where his parents were and how comfortable he was standing there being touched by so many people. I didn't see that he was mistreated, on the contrary the woman handling him was very friendly.

We went on a half an hour ride around the park on an elephant. I was a bit bothered by the guy who was walking the elephant. He had a stick with which he beat the elephant and then he wanted to take pictures of us with our camera. For one or two pictures it was ok but then when we asked if we could get the camera back he insisted he could continue taking pictures. We said no and he gave us a very serious look. When the ride was finished he didn't even say goodbye to us. I guess he was expecting us to tip him, which we didn't do. It was very strange to be on top of the elephant and I was wondering if he felt comfortable having us there. The comforting part for us is that we could give him many bananas and pamper his head and ears! These animals are just awesome!

There was an elephant show and here is Paul playing with the elephant!

The elephant show was very beautiful. The elephants played, danced and performed very well.

Several men were called to try to push the elephant but they couldn't do it. The animator wanted to prove how heavy and strong elephants are and it was indeed funny to see so many guys pushing without any success. Paul was one of those!

Then there was a monkey show! It was not very impressive but I liked a lot this little monkey dressed like a girl. She was very delicate and knew how to sit properly. The trainer was very friendly with her and they seemed to get along pretty well.

Here two monkeys playing with fire. There was another show where they played with knives which I didn't like. I was wondering why instead of teaching them to play with fire and knives, they don't teach them to play with objects, move around, play with people or do something less violent.

This was the most disturbing show. Three men were playing with crocodiles and putting their hands, heads and money inside their mouths. It was very scary, sad and disturbing. I kept thinking how dangerous it was and how silly it was to put money inside their mouths. I was frightened all the time and on top of everything the animator, that not only animated this show but most of the other shows, was very nasty, using inappropriate language and making ridiculous jokes.

The birds' show was perhaps the most beautiful. These macaws were racing each other to fill those pots with cans. They guessed the age of some of the people in the public and they were just wonderful.

At the end we had the snakes show! Also scary but interesting. Here is Paul pampering the snake!

On the way back to the hotel we stopped for a rubber tapping demonstration. It was very interesting to see how they use a special knife to slice the bark of the rubber tree and let its milky sap trickle into a container. Very short visit but interesting.

The other days we spent a wonderful time in the hotel, went to the gym, got a wonderful massage at the Spa, went to town for lunch and shopping and enjoyed the beach, the swimming pool, the nice cocktails and just being there!

This is me just thoughtful

Paul reflecting, enjoying the sun and getting tanned!

We had very romantic dinners with a fantastic view, great music and excellent food

Romantic dinner!

A great Philippino band singing Besame Mucho in Spanish.

Having a massage during one of the parties organized by the hotel

Another delicious meal

At the Koh Samui airport waiting for our flight back to Bangkok

Next day in Bangkok we had a great time in one of the biggest shopping malls. We had a delicious Japanese lunch, did some shopping and had a lot of fun.

A delicious dessert!

There was a racing car show in the shopping mall and of course Paul was extremely curious about it so we spent a lot of time checking the cars!

We had a great time in Thailand. We hope to go back to explore other cities and especially Chiang Mai, which was our main choice but due to weather conditions we opted to go to the south.

The entire trip was very exciting and interesting!

Hugs,

Malu

Train the Trainers on the Learning to Live Together Manual in Sri Lanka

2011-10-20T00:42:00.000+02:00

Hello,

So much has happened during the last months that I wonder if I will have time until the end of the year to update my blog. My next posts will be about Wedding Anniversary in Thailand, workshop and experiences in Nepal, meeting in Belgium, Master thesis and holidays and conference in Portugal.

Let me share with you the great experience I had in Sri Lanka during the South Asia Regional Train the Trainers Course on the Learning to Live Together Manual developed by Arigatou International in close cooperation with UNESCO and UNICEF. The TtT was organized by the GNRC South Asia Secretariat and hosted by Sarvodaya with the participation of 24 participants from 9 different countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. The workshop was held from 12 to 18 August 2011.

I worked with Arigatou and the GNRC for almost six years (the last one and a half year as a consultant) and I facilitated several workshops on the Learning to Live Together manual in more than 15 countries, and I must say that this workshop was for sure the most rewarding, enriching and powerful workshop I had. The high profile of the participants (with a lot of experience in the field, knowledge of the topics and a genuine interest in intercultural and interfaith education), the excellent group of facilitators, the venue, the context and the atmosphere were the perfect components for a successful workshop.

We had the opening ceremony with a traditional Sri Lankan dance that led all participants and guests from outside of the venue to the main conference hall where Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, General Secretary of Sarvodaya, welcomed the participants. We were honoured by the presence of Dr. A.T Ariyaratne, founder of the Sarvodaya movement who shared some wise words with us. Children from some of the Sarvodaya programs also were present.

Welcome ceremony

Next day we started the workshop with an activity to get to know each other better, where we learned about participants' professional activities, some of their personal experiences, where they come from and had time to share with one another. We found commonalities, differences and got connected. It was a great start for the workshop. People were very enthusiastic, open to share and very excited about what was going to happen during the next days.

The venue was great and very conducive to learning from one another, leaving behind prejudices and predispositions. We had the workshop at the Vishva Niketan International Peace Center that belongs to Sarvodaya. Vishva Niketan in Sanskrit means “Universal Abode” and is symbolic of the Centre’s desire to include all nations, religions, and ethnicities in its vision of world peace.

We went through the educational approach of the manual, its content and methodologies, reflected about its different applications and ways of understanding according to particular settings and situations. Participants internalized what it means for each of them.

Manela, one of the youth who were part of the GNRC youth workshops when I worked in Arigatou came for a couple of days. It was great to meet her!

We used several methodologies: experience-based, discussion-based, introspection-based, problem-solving based and cooperative-based. We used case studies, meta-plan, dilemmas, simulation, world cafes, role-plays, walking meditations, among many other techniques to engage in dialogue, learn from one another and enhance learning.

Participants discussing the foundational principles of the Learning to Live Together

Activity about different points of view, understanding others' beliefs and challenging one point of view

Going through the learning modules of the manual through experiential activities, participants prepared activities and reflected about learning process and methodologies

Understanding conflicts, transformation and cooperation through a game

With Sayed, whom I met in Baku, Azerbaijan in June in a course I gave about intercultural education. He applied for this TtT and got selected, so here we are!

Participants prepared a very special evening, where they shared about their spiritual traditions, about their countries and danced together!

Participants were tasked to plan, prepare and facilitate a training session for adults on how to use the Learning to Live Together. This was a fantastic experience. I enjoyed a lot each session, participants' creativity, team work and commitment to make a great job.

Participants planing and preparing their sessions

Group photo!

Trainers' team: with Vijay and Vinu from India and Suchith from Sri Lanka. What an excellent team! The academic and practical expertise of eachof us brought a great added value to the workshop. The diversity of the team in terms of gender,religion, spoken languages, background and facilitation style was excellent.There was synergy and trust among us, which was perceived by theparticipants. Each of us complementedeach other and respectfully supported each session.

Collaborative work prepared by some of the participants!

Cultural evening: performances by local dancers and after that each participant performed something traditional from their countries.

Cultural evening

Sharing plans to implement the Learning to Live Together back home. There were very good ideas for implementation ofthe manual: 1) Possibility to introduce it to theMinistry of Education in Sri Lanka for implementation in the nationalcurriculum. 2) Training of Teachers of the ASP.net in Indonesia with thesupport of UNESCO. 3) Possibility toorganize a workshop in the Philippines and introduce the GNRC in South EastAsia. 4) Possibilities to introduce themanual in Afghanistan and Pakistan through the participants’ organizations. 5)Development of a Basic Training Workshop in Nepal and implementation of themanual in several formal and non formal organizations through the PeaceEducation Network of Nepal, PENN, and 6) Several possibilities to form a group of trainers inSri Lanka and expand the use of the manual in several organizations andsettings in the country.

Closing ceremony. At the end of the workshop we created a mandala where we shared the learning in terms of content, what we took from the workshop and commitments. It was a very simple moment but very powerful.

In the evening we went to a restaurant close to the beach! We enjoyed a lot and said goodbye!

The Sri Lankan participants prepared a surprise for all of us and gave us some presents, which was very touching and bonding.

The workshop ended in a spirit of friendship, collaborative learning, support, happiness, inner awareness, commitment and determination to implement programs based on the Learning to Live Together manual in their countries.

What a powerful experience! The connection created and the synergy that emerged really touched me and made me reflect, once again, about the power of bringing together individuals who are committed to changing the world with others! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

Peace,

Malu

Course on Peace Education

2011-10-17T00:43:00.000+02:00

Hola,

This is a post for those interested in undertaking a course on Peace Education. I took an online course with the United Nations-mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica that lasted almost three months. It was a very enriching learning experience. I have been working in the field of peace education - especially human rights, intercultural/interreligious education and global education - during the last 11 years and have taken other courses in peace education before. This course was a very interesting opportunity to learn further information about the theoretical foundations of the field, the different challenges, approaches, linkages and possibilities, and challenge my perspectives of peace education and my own understandings. It deepened my knowledge of the field and broadened my views.

The course was facilitated by two very experienced peace educators: Virginia Cawagas from the Philippines and Toh Swee-Hin from Australia and Canada who was awarded in 2000 the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education. Both of them with ample experience in the field in developed and developing countries.

The course aimed to provide a critical overview of key ideas, concepts and analytical perspectives on peace education that have been manifested in diverse institutional, community, and grassroots initiatives and programs in both North and South contexts. More specifically, through a facilitative process, learners will see how education for various dimensions of a culture of peace, including disarmament and nonviolence, local and global justice, human rights, intercultural understanding, sustainable futures and cultivating inner peace, can be synergized and integrated into the urgent challenge of building a peaceful, just and sustainable world.

I have previously taken other online courses, and I must say that this one is very well structured and organized. The format is very conducive to learning with videos, presentations, active and well administered forums, clear guidelines and assignments. The participants also contributed a lot to the learning process through active participation and challenging questions and comments on the relations between theory and practice. We had interactive assignments, group work and were encouraged to look at peace education from several areas of application in a holistic way. I would have liked to get more perspectives from many more authors and challenged more what has been done in the field from a critical perspective, but this space was not really provided. I believe the course gives the possibility to learn what is already there but not much to develop or construct new approaches, which is a pity. That would add a very strong dimension to this course and make it more aligned to the real purpose of peace education: develop critical thinking to contribute to peace building.

Now when I am assessing the learning I got through this course, I can say that: 1) I gained a solid theoretical understanding of the field and got a compelling vision of where it could be heading to, and 2) Made me reflect a lot about the need to develop more theoretical frameworks on peace education and to strengthen the field as a contribution to affect structural violence and not only to avoid direct violence in the future.

This course also gave me a lot of thought for reflection to enrich my Masters thesis which was on Peace Education in Colombia, and that I will write about later. So, if you are interested to learn more about the field, whether you are a practitioner with no prior academic knowledge on the area, or someone who has studied peace, or want to get into this field, this course is very well recommended and I am sure it will help you get a more sound understanding of what it is about. Just to warn you, the course requires a considerable amount of time for reading every week, constant contributions in the forums, weekly assignments and two written papers. Therefore, make sure that if you take it, you have enough time to dedicate and to take advantage of all the learning space provided. If you are looking for something more practical, this course is not the right choice, though it may provide a good venue for discussion about practical approaches.

You can have a look at the UPeace courses in the following link:

http://www.upeace.org/academic/distance/courses/schedule.cfm#PET

Peace,

Malu

With friends in Sri Lanka!

2011-10-03T00:42:00.005+02:00

Hola,

This time I will blog about my trip to Sri Lanka in August. I was there for three weeks, the longest time since I left Sri Lanka in 2005. I had a great time. Though I didn't travel to many places, I stayed mostly in Colombo, I got the chance to meet many of my friends there and enjoy the daily Sri Lankan life. The reason to go to Sri Lanka was to facilitate a Training of Trainers for the GNRC Asia region that took place from 13 to 18 August and which I will blog about later.

Visiting Sri Lanka for me has three main components: 1) Reconnecting with friends, 2) Energizing my soul and 3) Refueling my body with positive energy. Let me walk you through these three areas by showing you some pictures and telling you a bit of how I experience these in SL.

Reconnecting with friends

I have wonderful friends in Sri Lanka with whom I share many values, beliefs, dreams and experiences. Friends who are always there for me, even in the distance, and with whom I have powerful connections. Friends who make me feel alive, who are genuine and whom I admire a lot. I believe this is one of the reasons why I love visiting Sri Lanka, to be able to meet my friends, to talk about simple things with them and enjoy listening to their stories! It's a very special experience that I appreciate a lot since most of my friends do not live in Geneva but are dispersed around the world.

Here with Sapu and Sahan, two of my best friends! We had a great evening together, went for dinner, to Galle Face, and then had some dessert! We laughed and laughed!

Organized a reunion in Colombo with more than 20 friends. Most of them I meet every time I go to Sri Lanka...and here they are!

It was Hiran's birthday the day after, so we got a cake and sang happy birthday to him! Here is Suchith trying to find Hiran to surprise him, but he didn't notice that Hiran was just next to him wondering what was going on!

With Hiran and Yohan, great friends, with whom I worked together for the National Committee of AIESEC in Sri Lanka 2004-2005

Here with most of them - some missing - It was a great chance to see so many of them together, laugh and chat!

Energizing my soul

After a very intense workshop, I went with Suchith - one of my best friends and who organized the workshop- to the southwest coast to a beautiful beach called Unawatuna, very close to Galle. It is a magical place. The beach is beautiful and it is just the perfect spot to listen to the waves, relax, walk along the beach, talk to a few locals selling stuff, and feeling the soft sun touching your skin! It is a must do in Sri Lanka!

At the train station, taking the train to Galle!

We took the train with some friends who were in the workshop. We went to Galle and they continued to Matara.

The train we traveled with.

In Galle center. Suchith and I had lunch there and then headed directly to Unawatuna for a well-deserved relaxing weekend!

Mine and Sahan's footprints on the sand

Sahan joined us in the afternoon and we walked together along the beach

Beautiful coconut palm trees

Suchith, Sahan and I went to a very nice spot to watch the sunset! It was very nice, the waves were very strong so they contrasted perfectly with the clouds and the sun hiding behind them.

The view from the balcony of the place where I was staying!

Me, enjoying the view, the sounds and the moment.

Refueling my body with positive energy

This does not mean only with good food but with positive vibes, meditation, visiting places, getting to know new things, enriching the eyes, smelling new things, walking around and discovering myself through simple experiences.

Sahan took me to a nice restaurant where I had my favourite seafood: prawns/shrimps. These ones were very good, the place was very relaxing and I had great company.

We visited the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. This was the first time for me to visit this beautiful Buddhist temple. I don't know why I never did it before, but it was great! I enjoyed the variety of Buddha statues, the magnificence of some of them, the simplicity of others, the small museum and the beautiful colors.

Another Buddha statue at the Gangaramaya Temple

Here is Sahan at the Independence square. This place is now more lively than what it used to be before. You can see more families with their kids, couples or singles doing sports and friends chatting. It has become a nice place to hang out and enjoy a Sunday afternoon

The architecture at the Independence Square

Here with Suchith! We never take pictures together, that's why he is closing his eyes.

Here Sahan, Dommy, Suchith and Sifaan in a meeting. Actually there were two meetings: Sahan and Dommy were organizing the Youth Fest Sri Lanka that is taking place from 10 to 11 December and then they joined a meeting with Sifaan and Suchith to talk about the creation of an Alumni Sri Lanka Association! A lot of thinking, action and impact going on there!

This was a great time with friends! I am especially thankful to Suchith and Sahan for having spent so much time with me and for taking care of everything to make my stay in Sri Lanka unforgettable.

Big hugs and tons of love,

Malu

Learning to Live Together Workshop in Paris

2011-09-16T00:10:00.000+02:00

Hola,

After three long weeks in Sweden I came back home to continue working on my thesis and preparing a workshop on the Arigatou Learning to Live Together manual held in Paris at the end of July. It was organized by the GNRC in cooperation with Arigatou International and UNESCO. It was a four-day workshop for 22 participants hailing from Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jordan, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

I had the great opportunity to work together with two fantastic women: Vera from Portugal and Gelly from Greece. We made an amazing team, diverse, fun and very professional. I enjoyed a lot working with them and learning from one another.

Vera and Gelly during the facilitators pre-meeting

The workshop was held at the UNESCO premises in Paris and this was the opening ceremony by some of the representatives from UNESCO, GNRC and Arigatou International.

The importance of intercultural education in the world today!

The power of inter-faith collaboration

What the Learning to Live Together manual is about!

All workshops based on the Learning to Live Together use a participatory and interactive methodology that helps participants to engage in deep dialogue, to reflect about themselves and their relations with others, to critically think about issues around them, to explore possible ways to collectively and positively transform the world around them. The techniques used range from case studies to games, role plays, meditation, simulations, round tables, etc.

Participants learning about the educational approach of the manual, the content, what it means for each of them and for others

Activity to understand different views and challenge our own

Reflecting about learning, participation and methodologies

Learning to Live Together proposes a process for learning that is at the heart of the approach and helps educators to create learning environments and sessions that fully engage participants and fosters inner reflection as well as collaborative learning.

Learning about self-assessment techniques and how to use them

During one of the days participants became facilitators and developed activities based on the Learning to Live Together approach and methodologies. They were great! Creative, dynamic and inclusive.

Facilitation and teaching: are they the same thing? What is the difference? What are the key elements to facilitate successful learning processes?

Gelly, Vera and I had some time in the evenings to walk around Paris, talk and enjoy the nice weather!

Beautiful Vera and Gelly

Having dinner with the full group of facilitators. The workshop was conducted in parallel in English and French. Here together with the facilitators of the French group and with the Director of Arigatou International in Geneva

The English Group at the end of the workshop! Fantastic individuals, with great capacities, commitment to work with child rights and promote intercultural and interfaith understanding and respect. Most of the participants were either teachers from formal educational settings or youth leaders working in interfaith activities or child issues.

The group of facilitators with one of the participants from Bosnia-Herzegovina!

What are we taking with us from this three-day experience? At the end of the workshop participants wrote their learning but also put their commitments in envelopes. The envelopes were exchanged and each person received one and had the responsibility to mail it back to the person they got, as a reminder of their commitments.

Me with Geanina from Romania and Marija!

It was a great time. We had challenges from time to time creating an atmosphere that was conducive for everyone to go beyond what they already knew, due mainly to the diverse profiles, ages, previous knowledge and expectations, but at the end we managed to find a balance and learn from one another in amazing ways. Thank you all for a great time together!

Hugs,

Malu

Wonderful three weeks in Sweden!

2011-08-02T18:27:00.000+02:00

Hola,

Let me continue with our holidays in Sweden. After a few very exciting days in Copenhagen we headed to Kristianstad, which is a city in the southern part of Sweden and near where Paul's family lives. As I said in my previous post, we spent three weeks in Sweden visiting family and friends and exploring new places. We went to Åkarp and Åhus, small towns close to Kristianstad. Drove to Gothenburg and then down to Tylösand and on the last week went to Lund to meet some friends and to other areas nearby.

It was my first time visiting Sweden during summer so I got the chance to experience for the first time real warm weather there and learn about Swedish midsummer traditions. Let me take you through this journey using pictures and explanations divided in two topics: family and friends, and beaches and entertainment.

Family and Friends

When you live far from your family and you only get the chance to see them once or maximum twice a year, the moments you spend together when you meet are priceless and very enriching. We spent time with Paul's mom and her partner, Paul's sister and her beautiful family, Paul's uncle and his family, cousins and other relatives. As always, Swedish hospitality is overwhelming with great food, drinks and conversations, and we had a great time.

Paul with his mom in Sölvesborg, a small town on the south close to the Baltic sea, after a nice dinner and time together

We were invited for dinner at Paul's sister's mother in law's apartment in Kristianstad. We had a very delicious dinner!

Having a BBQ at Pau's sisters' house in Kiaby close to Kristianstad. Here with Maria (Paul's sister), Chris, her husband and Ulla-Britt, Paul's mom.

Paul's cousins' children. They are adorable, every time we go to Sweden we visit them. They are the most adorable and intelligent children I have met and I love playing and talking with them!

Hanna, Nicklas and their children. A great afternoon together!

Went to Åkarp to visit Paul's uncle and his family. Here having a delicious Swedish cake.

Paul and his uncle!

Beaches and entertainment

We also went to Åhus, a very beautiful town known for its nice beaches and famous for hosting one of the largest beach handball tournaments in the world with approximately 20,000 participants. The beach is very beautiful compared to other beaches in Europe and the atmosphere is very relaxing. Åhus is also nearby the village of Rinkaby where the World Scout Jamboree took place in July.

Spending the afternoon at the beach in Åhus

In Åhus

I also had the opportunity to experience Midsummer. I was delighted to have day light until midnight and also surprised when one day I woke up at 4 in the morning thinking that it was 7 since there was so much light. Very exciting. On the actual midsummer day we went out to see the celebrations and to learn about Swedish traditions. In the 16th century, Midsummer celebrations in Sweden were held to welcome summertime and the season of fertility. People decorated their houses and farm tools with foliage, and raised tall, leafy maypoles to dance around. Generally the maypole is raised in an open spot and children and adults alike dance around it. It was fantastic to see how adults somehow become children and how many of them feel free to dance incessantly. To be honest I never imagined Swedes dancing like this and holding this kind of traditions so dear to them, perhaps because I see them as more family oriented people and not so much into public gatherings. So it was an eye opener.

Children and adults dancing around the maypole in Kristianstad

We also went to Östarps Gästgivaregård, a very traditional Swedish family-run restaurant, located between Lund and Ystad. It was opened for the first time in 1924 by the duke of Skåne, King Gustav VI Adolf. During the war-years it served as a military installation and re-opened again in 1946.

The food was really good. Paul had a very traditional dish from Skåne region called Egg cake which is made of egg, cream and bacon, not very healthy but Paul loves it!

Paul's mom and I outside the restaurant in Kulturens Östarp which is an area with animals, agriculture, nature and beautiful gardens.

We also went to a Ferrari shop close to Malmö. Paul was very exciting to see so many Ferrari cars together and having the opportunity to look at them as much as he wanted.

Driving on our way to Gothenburg on the west coast in the Southwestern Sweden. The landscapes were very beautiful, full of sheep, cows, different types of trees, lakes and deep forests.

This is a runestone. These are normally raised stones with a runic (Germanic related alphabets using letters known as runes) inscription that tells the story of someone that died abroad. The tradition began in the 4th century, and it lasted into the 12th century, but most of the runestones date from the late Viking Age. The main purpose of a runestone was to mark territory, to explain inheritance, to boast about constructions, to bring glory to dead kinsmen and to tell of important events. This particular runestone dated from around AC 1000.

In Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden and the largest seaport in the Nordic countries. It also has the largest outdoor sport arena in Scandinavia and the largest amusement park, Liseberg.

It is a very beautiful city with many restaurants and cultural activities. Here is a sculpture of the knotted gun, known as "Non violence" that is also on display outside the UN headquarters in New York made by the Swedish painter and sculptor Carl Fredrik Reutersvärd.

In front of the Gothenburg museum of Art

We took a boat and went to one of the islands of the Southern Göteborg archipelago called Brännö

We spent the morning and part of the afternoon on this little island, had a typical Swedish meal: Smoked salmon, hiked for 30 minutes, rested and enjoyed nature! A very beautiful place.

Typical house in Brännö

We also went to Tylösand, a very beautiful town that is famous for its 7 km long sand beach, its golf courses and the Hotel Tylösand, where we stayed, a hotel owned by Roxette star Per Gessle and Björn Nordstrand.

Sunset from one of the restaurants of Hotel Tylösand

Having a very nice dinner after a long day!

The Hotel Tylösand has a great spa where we spent most of the time. It is definitely a place to relax. It has a gym, a yoga room, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, relaxation areas, bar, spa treatments, jacuzzi and sauna. We enjoyed it a lot!

Tylösand beach is very pretty, though for a popular beach I was expecting a more touristic approach, not in the manner of exploiting the tourist but more customer oriented with perhaps a couple of more restaurants and bars close to the beach. Anyway, it is a beautiful place and the weather was just perfect, perhaps too hot for Swedes!

At Tylösand beach

On the last week in Sweden we visited the Regional Museum in Kristianstad that displays the history of the Skåne region focusing on individual stories, explaining how life has changed in Kristianstad and the rest of the province of Skåne over the years. It was very interesting.

Here I am at the museum trying one of the traditional dresses many centuries ago

Inside the museum you can also discover the history of Swedish films through a very small exhibition but very well documented. Some of the first movies in the world were made in Kristianstad.

Finally I also had the opportunity to meet Mauricio, one of my best friends from AIESEC who was in Copenhangen for holidays and came to Lund to meet us. It was great to see Mauricio again after almost four years. He came with his sister in law and we spent a great day together in Lund and some places around. We visited the Lund Cathedral, Lund University, the old town and went to Ales Stenar.


We visited the Lund Lutheran Cathedral built before 1085 with a Romanesque style. It contains a very impressive astronomical clock and a very nice crypt.

The astronomical clock of the cathedral, the Horologium mirabile Lundense, was made around 1424. After having been in storage since 1837, it was restored and put back in place in 1923. When it plays, one can hear In dulci jubilo from the smallest organ in the church. The clock plays two times a day, at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. every day, except on Sundays.

With Mauricio on our way to Ales Stenar

Ales Stenar is Sweden's largest preserved "ship setting" - stones set in the layout of a ship. It is not known for certain what function the stones have had through the ages, or what the ship setting symbolized for the people who created it. It is 67 meters long and 19 meters wide, Ales stenar is one of the largest ship settings in the Nordic region. It comprises 59 carefully selected stones weighing between 500 and 1800 kilos.

In Ales Stenar. According to Scanian folklore, a legendary king called King Ale lies buried there.

Meditating in Ales Stenar in front of the sea

Mauricio walking on the beach close to Halmstad

Saying goodbye and see you soon!

What a wonderful time together, rested a lot and got a lot of new energies for an intense summer ahead.

Peace,

Malu

A couple of days in Copenhagen

2011-07-30T17:41:00.000+02:00

Hello,

It has been a long time since my last post. I have been very busy working on some consultancies that I will share with you about in coming posts, working on my thesis, traveling and spending quality time with Paul and preparing myself for new opportunities ahead.

This time I want to share about our holidays in Sweden after my trip to Azerbaijan in June. We spent three wonderful weeks in Sweden where we had the opportunity to visit new places I had never visited before, spend time with Paul's family and learn new Swedish traditions.

However, before going to Sweden we spent a couple of days in Copenhagen. The highlights of the trip were the visits to the Carlsberg and Resistance museums, as well as the nice food we had and the beautiful old town. Here are some photos with short explanations of the visits.

Having a big and delicious lunch! In the old town

View of the Nyhamn - or new harbour

Many elephants were exhibited along the city as part of the Elephant Parade, the worlds' largest open air exhibition in aid of the Asian elephant.

Carlsberg museum: It was very interesting to go through the history of how Carlsberg became one of the leading beer companies in the world and how the vision and determination of its founders made them to develop new technologies and innovative practices. The museum exhibits historical information about beer production, a collection of thousands of bottles, old machines used in the production of beer, the stages of development of the company and information about practices of employees at different periods of time. You can also find a shop where you can buy several products ranging from glasses and t-shirts to beers, key rings and mouse pads.

Understanding the malting process

History of Carlsberg

Carlsberg collection of 20.214 bottles as of June 2011

Entrance to the museum

Outside Carlsberg museum


At the end of the visit you get two free Carlsberg beers

We also went to the museum of the Danish Resistance. A small and yet a very interesting and beautiful museum in Copenhagen. The museum shows the Danish movement to resist the German occupation during World War II. Though the movement was small and low compared to others in Europe, it showed the determination of some individuals to resist and fight the German occupation through innovative tactics such us the disruption of the railway system and the production of clandestine publications that were distributed as broadly as 120.000 copies per day. It is definitely worth visiting it!

Underground press used to print publications for sabotage and espionage.

Entrance of the Museum of the Danish Resistance

The Little Mermaid statue from the fairy tale written by the poet Hans Christian Andersen. The statue made by Edvard Eriksen was donated by the city of Copenhagen by the brewer Carl Jacobsen and erected in 1913. The story of the Little Mermaid is about a young mermaid who is willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity to gain a human soul and the love of a human prince.

Kastellet area

Park in the Kastellet area


Around the Kastellet, one of the most well preserved fortifications in Northern Europe

We ended our short trip with a delicious lunch at one of our favorite Indian restaurants in Europe, it is the Indian Taj. The food is delicious, fresh, spicy and varied.

Having a delicious Indian dinner at Indian Taj restaurant

Stay tuned for my next post about Sweden.

Hugs,

Malu

Summer Program TCPN Baku, Azerbaijan

2011-07-11T15:21:00.023+02:00

Hello,

Days have been busy since the end of May writing my thesis, preparing workshops, finishing a course on Peace Education and taking some time off with Paul in Sweden. After I came back from Brussels I continued writing the second chapter of my thesis, which is ready and just need some graphics, then I went to Baku for a workshop on Intercultural Education and then to Sweden for a three week holidays. Came back in the beginning of July to prepare a workshop in Paris on the Arigatou Learning to Live Together manual and now I am just back from Paris ready to start preparing another workshop in Sri Lanka and to continue working on my thesis.

This post is about my experience in Baku in the beginning of June. I went to give a course on Intercultural Education as part of a summer program called Transition from Conflict to Peace and Non-Violence organized by the Institute of Conflict Transformation and Peace building, ICP. One of my classmates and friends at WPA from Azerbaijan, Fakhrinur Huseynli (above), was the project manager and was the person who made this summer program happen. His dedication, determination, hard work and positive thinking were for sure essential for the success of this program. Thank you Fakhrinur for organizing the summer program and for the invitation to be part of it. I hope we will have the chance to work together again in the future.

The summer program lasted for two weeks and brought professors from Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico, two others from Canada and Colombia living in Switzerland and one Swiss living in Kosovo, on topics ranging from the Transcend method for conflict transformation, potential of conflict and conciliation of religions, dialogue facilitation, non violence, to the contribution of international law to peace and security, peace education and intercultural education. Each course had a duration of three full days and the 24 participants came from Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Afghanistan and the US. You can click here to see a short video of the summer program.

It was a great opportunity to meet friends I made at WPA in Basel. Here with Fernando who was also lecturing at the summer program and with Fakhrinur.

My course was on intercultural education and aimed at giving a theoretical and legal framework on intercultural education and through practical exercises exploring and reflecting how culture, beliefs and identity are intertwined and can easily be used to fuel violence or create violent conflicts. Throughout the workshop participants had the chance to practice listening skills, put themselves in another's shoes and identify the key elements of intercultural education and its importance in building peaceful societies. They were also introduced to the Learning to Live Together manual produced by Arigatou International in close cooperation with UNESCO and UNICEF, as a tool for intercultural and interfaith education.

I had a wonderful group made of very talented young people, with a lot of ideas, very thoughtful and with the firm desire and willingness to learn more about peace and non-violence, even if the situation in their countries is not very favorable and they live in societies affected by violence, fear of the other and polarized views. It was great to share with and learn from them, get to know them and continue being inspired through social networks by their ideas, determination and leadership.

Iceberg Model of Culture - exploring the different layers of culture and the difficulties of understanding what is deep in a culture like values and beliefs

Activity about our beliefs and what we stand for - Reflecting about what shapes our beliefs

Putting ourselves in another's shoes and reflecting about its difficulties and challenges in real life situations

Role play about discrimination based on religion and culture - Putting ourselves in another's shoes

Role play about discrimination at working place based on ethnic origin - Reflecting about real life situations

Activity on participatory methodologies for intercultural education

With some of the participants of the Summer Program - Monument of the victims of 20 January 1990 when Soviet troops killed hundreds of civilians in an attempt to crackdown the Azerbaijani Independence Movement in Baku

The hotel where the summer program took place

Dinner with some of the participants

Two of the participants from Afghanistan having a traditional dinner from Azerbaijan

During one of the evenings we went out to a bar where they do belly dancing. It was a very different experience, even though I had seen belly dancing in Egypt, this was a different version and we also enjoyed the hospitality of people from Azerbaijan.

Before and after my course I had the chance to see Baku and explore a bit the city. Here are some of the photos with my reflections. It was my first time visiting a country in the Caucasus region and therefore, everything was new and amazing for me. Although I had a general understanding of the root causes of the conflicts in the region, I never had the opportunity to explore them in depth and reflect about their consequences in the society. The visit to Baku was eye opening for me and a great opportunity to reflect about violence and peace in the region.

This is a big banner of the former president of Azerbaijan, Mr. Heydar Aliyev, who was the father of the current president Mr. Ilhan Aliyev. I was very impressed about the amount of banners like this or smaller ones everywhere, like a kind of veneration to him. This somehow made me think about nationalistic views, the recent news about violation of human rights in Azerbaijan, the claims of fraud during the presidential elections, the restriction of freedom of speech and reunion, the anti-Armenia propaganda and alleged attacks to journalists. Is there any correlation between these factors? How do they affect the mentality of young people and their ability to act and promote non-violent actions and movements? How are all these factors weaved together and sowing in the minds of people a culture of violence instead of a culture of peace? How can a peaceful solution to the violent conflicts faced in the region be developed, when freedoms are restricted and military and antagonistic views are upheld? I don't have answers to all these questions, they are just pondering in my mind as I also relate them to the violent history of my country, Colombia. I guess the interactions with the youth from the course also made me reflect about the importance of hope in countries affected by violent conflicts, including my own, the importance of ongoing peace education programs and more participatory spaces for youth, like the ones who participated in this course, to take actions and promote non-violent alternatives.

Now a bit more about the city, at least the most touristic parts I visited. Here with poet Vahid (1896-1965). Scenes from numerous of his works are depicted on his neck and hair. The monument was sculpted by Rahib Hasanov and Arif Mansurov and unveiled in 1990.

In the old town!

The city center full of fountains, lights and a lot of space for pedestrians

The old Town

Having a delicious Sac Kabab

Me in front of the Nizami Ganjavi monument at the footsteps of the Fountain's square. Nizami Ganjavi was the greatest romantic epic poet in Persian's literature. This monument and the museum named after him shows the influence of Persian culture in Azerbaijan.

Nizami Museum of Azerbaijan Literature

At Baku Boulevard, it is a promenade that runs parallel to Baku's seafront

The Maiden Tower in the old town was built in the 12th century, as part of the walled city of Baku. It is part of the historic monuments that have been inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage List of Historical Monuments. The legend tells that a young lady is pursued by a despotic local king (sometimes identified as her father), who reportedly imprisoned her in this Tower. According to the legend, rather than becoming his lover, she committed suicide by throwing herself from the Tower into the Caspian Sea. I didn't have the chance to go inside the tower but it houses a museum, which presents the historic evolution f Baku, and that for sure is a must see if you go to Baku.

Another beautiful fountain

At Fountains Square

A beautiful and dramatic sculpture in the old town. The old town was declared by UNESCO as a world heritage, which places great demands on the government of Azerbaijan to do constant restoration and preservation.

At Fountains square

At Fountains square

Also at Fountains square

With Rashid, one of my friends from WPA, from Azerbaijan. It was great to see him again, spend time together, talk about life, dreams, past, present and future. Thank you Rashid for your time and kindness. It was great to meet your beautiful family, receive their love and be welcomed with such a genuine hospitality. I really hope our paths will cross again and that we will meet each other very soon. I wish you all the best in your plans and endeavors.

Great dinner at Rashid's place!

This was my trip to Azerbaijan, the land of fire, as they call it. A great experience that has motivated me to learn more about the region and to visit Azerbaijan and the countries around again. I hope I will be able to do it and to work in the region once more.

Peace,

Malu

A short visit to Brussels

2011-06-30T23:20:00.000+02:00

Hello,

This is just a short post, as short as my visit to Brussels in May. I went to Brussels for a meeting with Religions for Peace - European Women of Faith, where I introduced Learning to Live Together, an Intercultural and Interfaith Program for Ethics Education manual on behalf of the Global Network of Religions for Children, GNRC in Europe. The manual was developed by Arigatou International in close cooperation with UNESCO and UNICEF.

The GNRC Youth group in Belgium is interested to develop a closer relationship with Religions for Peace in Belgium and one of the common areas they envision they could work on is intercultural and interfaith education for children and youth. Therefore, the Learning to Live Together manual is a very important tool and framework for educational activities that promote understanding and respect of oneself and others, and empower children and young people to work together to transform situations of discrimination and violation of human rights in their societies.

Nicolas, who is one of the leaders of the GNRC Youth in Belgium and the one who founded it. He is the one who first got in contact with Religions for Peace in Belgium and who arranged the presentation of the manual at their meeting. I have known Nicolas since 2008 in Japan where he was representing the GNRC youth during the GNRC Third Forum, and since then we have worked together in several workshops, met in several countries and become very good friends. Nicolas is not only a very good friend but an inspiration for me. It was great to meet him, work together and spend quality time to talk about things going on in our lives during the last months.

On my second day in Brussels I met Aleja, a Colombia friend who works in Brussels and whom I met in AIESEC many years ago. It was great to see her after more than three years, to catch up, talk about future plans and realize how enriching it is to meet old friends and know that they continue being role models and change agents!

I spent some hours enjoying the open day of the European Organizations. There was music all around, the possibility to enter the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, take a guided tour and visit a fair about youth and development. I took the guided tour around the Council of the European Union, it was very interesting and gave me a different perspective of the work they do.

Building of the European Commission

Just before heading to the airport back to Geneva, I met for a couple of hours with another friend from Colombia studying in Brussels, also from AIESEC. Julian is finishing an MBA in Brussels and the last time I met him was last year in Dubai where he was working. It was great to meet him again, laugh about simple things, walk around some places in Brussels, drink a mojito, catch up and share a bit of everything! Great company just before leaving Brussels.

Me somewhere in a park in Brussels!

Hugs,

Malu

Easter in Dijon

2011-06-28T09:16:00.017+02:00

Hello,

This is a post about our trip to Dijon, France during Easter. I am going to walk you through the pictures and tell you a bit about the great time we had there.

I guess most of you have heard of Dijon! Dijon Mustard, Bourgogne (Burgundy) wine, Kir? Exactly, these are some of the things Dijon is famous for. Dijon is located in eastern France and is the capital of the Côte-d'Or department and of the Burgundy region. We went to Dijon for three days and the weather was just perfect between 18 to 24 degrees. We went to several churches, walked around the city, took a tour through the vineyards, visited the Museum of Fine Arts and had great food.

On the first day, we walked around the city exploring the restaurants and the different architectural styles ranging from Gothic, Renaissance and Capetian. The cobble stone streets are full of restaurants, cafes and shops. There are free mini buses taking people to the main touristic places and several information points where it is easy to get advice and brochures on where to go and how to book tours.

Saint-Michel de Dijon is a very nice church in Flamboyant style with a Renaissance touch. Supporting the statue of St. Michel are carvings of David slaying Goliath, the Judgement of Solomon, John the Baptist preaching, Cupid at the toilet of Venus, among many others, which show a rather weird mixture of religious and secular images.

Church of Notre Dame built in the XIII century. Its façade has two main galleries and in between there are many gargoyles. These are said to be fake since they do not take part in the water drainage system. The church is topped by the famous Jacquemart clock tower (1382) with mechanical figures. It is very beautiful, although not so impressive inside.

Me at Place de la Libération - A very big square with cafes and restaurants around. It differs from other squares in the shape, this one is not actually squared but has a circular shape which makes it huge. The museum of fine arts is just in front of it housed inside the Palais des Ducs, which is the former Dukes' Palace. This grand structure shows the power of Burgundy's rulers during the XIV and XV centuries, who created a duchy to threaten the authority of the King of France. Louis XI finally incorporated Burgundy into France in 1489. The square is located at the heart of the old town and was designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart in 1686. He was a very renowned architect that worked on the Palace of Versailles.

Here is Paul at one of the cafes at Place de la Libération drinking a delicious cocktail!

Me in one of the streets!

Next day we went to a truffles and wine tour. It was perhaps the highlight of the trip. We were picked up by the guide who spoke very good English and French and we went on a mini van with a French family on a three-hour trip through the road from Santenay to Dijon, known as the route des Grands Crus, where we could appreciate the vineyards, understand the grapes cultivation process, see beautiful XII century churches and pass by small and traditional villages.

The Burgundy region is home to some of the most expensive wines in the world. The most famous wines produced here - those commonly referred to as Burgundies - are red wines made from Pinot Noir grapes or white wines made from Chardonnay grapes. We learned about the differences between different grapes and wines, the quality control, and some historical facts about the influence of the monasteries in the development of the Burgundy wine.

Vineyards!

We stopped in a place and tried the truffles produced in the area. We had sausages made of truffles and bread with some kind of truffle paste with oil.

All kinds of products made of truffles

At the end we went for a wine tasting!

Me in the cellar!

Paul trying several Burgundy wines!

Explanation about the different wines! The guide also explained to us that it was in Dijon where the famous crème de cassis, or blackcurrant liqueur, mixed with white wine, especially Bourgogne aligoté, gave origin to the delicious drink known as Kir, named after former mayor of Dijon canon Félix Kir.

View of Dijon from the 15th century Tour Philippe-le-Bon - Tower of Phillipe the Good!

View of Place de la Libération from the Philippe Tower

We also visited the famous Dijon Cathedral which is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Benignus of Dijon. It is a national monument of France and it was built between 1280 and 1325.

Crypt where St. Benignus is buried

Place de la Libération in the evening!

Porte Guillaume (Guillaume Gate) on Darcy Square

Next day we went to the Fine Arts Museum. The museum opened in 1787 and is housed in the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy in the old town. It has Renaissance works, an Egyptian collection, Roman Art and Modern Art, among many others.

At the Fine Arts Museum with a beautiful cow!

One of the churches!

Me at Place de la Libération

After leaving Dijon we went to a very nice town called Beaune, which is one of the key wine centers in France.

Paul having a delicious crepe!

Museum in Baune!

Paul outside the shop where he bought two more bottles of wine!

After visiting this beautiful town we headed back home, satisfied with three very intense but at the same time very relaxing days. We had time to talk about the future, to reflect about the things that have happened in our lives lately and to enjoy time for ourselves with the nature and discovering French history. I guess, Easter has become for us a special time to disconnect from the routine and take time to connect deeper with each other and with ourselves.

Hugs,

Malu

Thesis field Research - Peace Education Initiatives Popayán, El Tambo and Cajibío

2011-06-18T08:23:00.004+02:00

Hello,

Now that I am working on the second chapter of my thesis which is related to the empirical research I did in Colombia, I am taking time to review my experiences in El Cauca and Bogota. Like the one in Medellin, these two experiences, especially the one in El Cauca were eye-opening for me and helped me a lot to understand even more the reality in Colombia and the wonderful projects run by local people.

Let me start with the experience in El Cauca, which is a region in the southwestern part of the country, crossed by the western and central cordilleras and has more than 150 Km of coast in the Pacific coastline, which is a very strategic area for drug trafficking. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, there were nearly 7,500 hectares of coca in Valle del Cauca and Cauca departments combined in 2009. Most importantly, the area is also home to hundreds of drug laboratories, where coca paste is processed into cocaine hydrochloride (HCl) and sent to the Pacific coast departure points to be moved in submarines, go-fast launches, fishing boats, or containers on large shipping vessels.

My first visit was to Tierra de Paz, which is an organization fighting anti-personnel mines and explosive remnants of war, educating the population to protect themselves and promoting solidarity with the victims of the armed conflict. It was very interesting to learn about their work with children and schools, how they work with teachers to create pedagogical materials to be used with children in areas that are highly affected by antipersonnel mines and unexploded munitions.

Did you know that the fabrication of a mine doesn't take more than 10 minutes and it costs around 2 dollars? and that its deactivation takes around 8 hours and it costs around 3500 dollars? Did you know that one victim costs around 100.000 dollars invested in medical attention, indemnification, prosthesis, etc? According to the Presidential Program on Action against Anti-Personnel Mines from 1990 to 2010, 8.539 people stepped on a mine in Colombia. I was very surprised about the information given to me regarding the state of anti-personnel mines in Colombia and about the stories I was told on how children play with munitions they find outside their houses without knowing that they can explode, or how adults and children learn to walk carefully on the valleys where the mines are, or how they take as normal that they have to live risking their lives everyday. According to the Foundation in El Cauca there have been 428 accidents due to anti-personnel mines or abandoned war munitions that have not been exploded yet. Out of that number, 206 were civilians.

It was very interesting to understand how they assess the risk of the areas and construct maps based on the types of munitions and amount of antipersonnel mines, as educational tools for children. It was also very sad to know that this is the reality for thousands of families in Colombia and unfortunately the government is not doing enough to clear the areas.

After this interesting visit in Popayán, I took a bus and went to El Tambo, a town that has been highly affected by the presence of guerrilla and paramilitary groups, poverty, unemployment, cultivation of coca crops and presence of land mines. El Tambo has a population of 52.247 people from which 94% live in rural areas and 97% suffer extreme poverty. It is mainly populated by farmers and indigenous peoples and since the 90s it is a receiver and expeller of displaced people. 27% of the population is children below 12.

I visited a wonderful program called Maestra Vida, which is actually a school that aims at promoting human and agro-ecological development in the region through education and research to generate environmental and intercultural productive alternatives in the peasant community. It is a school where the concept of education is deconstructed, where there are no classrooms but kiosks where children learn together, where children are not graded with numbers but qualitatively, where problems are discussed in mingas, or assemblies that involve not only children and educators but parents and the community. It is a school where peace education is not only part of the content but it is embedded in the structures, where there are horizontal relations, where children nurture their spirituality through indigenous principles and through nature, and where they learn life skills that will allow them to be better equipped professionally and personally.

Maestra Vida founders!

Maestra Vida recreates a peaceful environment with facilities that are close to the nature, and methodologies that encourage reflection, team work and allow critical thinking. I spent almost three hours talking to the founders of Maestra Vida, enriching my perspectives of education and learning from their wisdom. I was touched by the simplicity they do things but how meaningful those are for the learning process of children. In Maestra Vida children learn subjects by doing productive projects and learning agriculture, so for example they learn mathematics by learning how to make bread, or science by exploring the forest. Children graduate with a technical degree in agriculture and additionally a technical degree from el SENA, which is the National Institution that provides technical education in the country. I was very inspired by this innovative school, by their principles and concrete application of peace education methodologies and content not only adapted in some subjects but cross-sectional in the curriculum and in the structures and relationships that formed the school. As a result most of their alumni are now studying in universities, working in companies, or having their own business, and the relations in the community and within families have improved, creating a more peaceful environment for children. It is definitely an example not only for Colombia but for other parts of the world.

One of the main areas of Maestra Vida!

After enjoying a nice lunch in Maestra Vida, I went to the urban center of El Tambo to meet the founders of Casa de la Juventud, Youth House. What a meeting! I spent almost four hours talking to them about more than 10 years of experience working to empower young people in El Tambo despite a strong armed conflict and the daily threats to their lives.

It was very interesting to hear first hand experiences, to try to understand the suffering they and the population of El Tambo has gone through, and all their efforts to bring about hope and create a culture of peace in the midst of so much violence. I was deeply touched by their stories when the paramilitaries took over the place, killed civilians or anyone they thought was collaborating with the guerrillas and the continuous fighting that kept its inhabitants afraid of going out of their houses, perplexed with the impossibility to fight it and hopeless about their future. However, these two young people together with others didn't give up and despite the difficult times they have to bear, they managed to organize activities with the community to stand up against violence and to show that they uphold the principles of peace and respect of life. They organized football matches to rebuild trust in the population and to allow recreational spaces for children. These matches allowed the people to stay out until late sharing with others, in a time when everyone was locked inside their houses after 4 in the afternoon afraid of being killed. They also organized praying meetings for people to come together and join their voices for peace. Casa de la Juventud was a light in the midst of so much darkness and fear.

One of the posters displayed in Casa de la Juventud

After talking about all their educational projects, challenges and all kind of experiences, they told me how they are involved in productive projects to support people economically, promoting sustainable practices. They are now working with an organization called AgroSolidaria which is a community that promotes economic solidarity among small producers, distributors and consumers based on the principles of agro-ecological and just commerce.

The security situation in El Tambo is much better now than what it used to be, however, they still experience fighting between different illegal armed groups, the presence of anti-personnel mines and a lot of poverty. This is the reason why they are now focused on supporting small farmers and producers working together in alternative economic models that do not exploit them but empower them. I was very impressed about the creativity and innovative ways of promoting education for development, environmental education and all kinds of activities in conflict transformation and non-violent resistance. Definitely an example for other towns in Colombia.

View of El Tambo

After spending a great time with them, I was taken around to see the town, the landscapes and to learn more about the history. It was breathtaking and a great experience on a moped!

Obelisco, El Tambo, Cauca
In this place is where armed groups deploy their troops when they are in combat in the area

A view from El Tambo -

After this amazing day full of learning and great experiences I took the bus back to Popayan and I went to bed with a lot of ideas in my head, with tears of pain thinking how much these people have suffered and somehow of happiness to know how resilient they are and how grateful they still are with life. Amazing. I also recall feeling afraid and so powerless, I guess after having so many people telling me to be careful, that it is not safe for a young woman to go to these places, that it is not recommended to talk to anyone, that I shouldn't use the camera, that I shouldn't walk alone, etc, I was feeling strong but at the same time so vulnerable.

The next day I went to another town called Cajibío, also in El Cauca, a town populated by peasants, indigenous people and Afro Colombians where half of the population have their basic needs unmet. It is also a town with a high presence of guerrillas and paramilitaries and continuous fighting between armed groups. Two months before I was there, there was a guerrilla attack in the town and as result you can see military posts around protecting the area. I also perceived a very quiet, distrustful atmosphere around, like people are anxious or afraid.

With the representative of Afranec and Colombia Verde

I visited an organization called Afranec that stands for Fraternal Association for Black Communities of Cajibio. Its objective is to make 30% of the black population that live in the municipal area visible. Black people are some times ignored by the majority of people there and their life conditions are threatened by marginalization and segregation. The association works on the reconstruction of the ethnic identity of black communities and on productive processes that can help improving their economic and social development. They support productive projects, micro credits for small land owners, and sustainable agricultural practices. At the same time they develop pedagogical workshops on human rights, activities for children and youth and cultural activities to promote their cultural identity.

Cajibío main square

Representative of Colombia Verde

Afranec gets the support from Colombia Verde which is a network that helps associated organizations to improve their productive processes making them more sustainable and ecologically friendly, and promotes their commercialization in the local, national and international market. They help the local farmers to benefit economically from their production. Currently the members of Afranec are associated to produce organic coffee, which is commercialized by Colombia Verde. This is a very important activity for the farmers, who now have a profitable activity that can replace the cultivation of coca and provide them with better alternatives for them and their families.

Poster about their cultural activities

Some of the members of Afranec

I had the opportunity to be present in one of the meetings of Afranec, meet some of the members, talk to them about their experience and listen to their ideas. It was very inspiring and helped me better understand the approach of the organization, their challenges and projects. It was a great opportunity to learn how productive projects can promote positive peace and tackle structural violence.

In the afternoon I went back to Popayan where I met the director of Tehillim Foundation. It was a wonderful three-hour meeting, with a wise and very progressive man who is not only committed to education but to the well being of children in Popayan and in the country. It was very inspiring to talk to him, to listen to his views about education, and how in his foundation they use symbolism to transmit meaning and re-signify social relations and space.

Their programs aim at the integral development of children and youth, and the communities around them, creating spaces for cooperation with public and private institutions that share the same objective. Their programs are based on an innovative pedagogical training cycle where voluntary primary school children receive training workshops run by youth from secondary school (from all socio-economic status) and who have been trained by the Foundation. Their training is carried out by university students from a diverse range of educational fields. This approach also promotes the involvement of the entire school community by training community leaders, parents, teachers and directors of schools, to develop an educational process that is recreational and facilitates the social integration of children and youth, and that at the same time serves as a preventive mechanism to join criminal groups, and to encourage youth to use their free time in better ways.

I believe their work clearly contributes to building capacity to reconstruct the social fabric affected by the armed conflict by developing entrepreneurial and citizenship skills, and social leadership in young people. In this way, young people from marginalized areas become change agents that promote social transformations in public and private spaces. The Tehillim Foundation is definitely a leader in educational programs in Colombia and a pioneer of holistic programs that involve several social actors and organizations in sustainable and dialogical ways. It was a great inspiration for me and then I got the chance to see Popayan accompanied by the director of the foundation who explained to me the history of Popayan and shared stories about life there.

On the last day I had a meeting with one of the representatives of Acción Social, which is a presidential agency in charge, as it is written in its objectives, of mobilizing Colombia to overcome extreme poverty and advance in the reconciliation process, and of leading the international cooperation agenda. It was interesting to learn how they work in the field, their strategies and to learn their views on the reality and context. I got many more contacts of organizations working directly with Acción Social and who are in charge of implementing concrete projects to create a culture of peace.

This was the end of my visit to El Cauca, a great experience that not only provided me with a lot of knowledge of the situation and of the work of local organizations but gave me clear insights on the situation in this part of the country. I was deeply touched by all people I talked to and greatly inspired by their determination, wisdom and perseverance.

Peace,

Malu

The Coming of the Ship

2011-06-13T12:35:00.010+02:00

Hello,

It has been a long time since I last wrote. There are so many unwritten posts, unsaid words, untouched experiences that I would need a lot of time to update my blog. I am still writing my thesis and there are still reflections about my field research in Colombia that I want to share as part of my analysis and work, then the trips to Dijon, Brussels, Basel and most recently to Azerbaijan, plus other reflections on narratives, war, peace and violence. I guess everything will come at its own pace and reflections will start taking shape and written form.

Today I have been thinking about new beginnings and leaving behind what has been enriching but is somehow not part of our world anymore. I have been thinking about changes and how changes take place and about how difficult it is to let go of things that have shaped who you are now and with what you have learned many things, even in difficult times. I came across this beautiful story from Kahlil Gibran called The Coming of the Ship, that fits pretty well with somehow many of the feelings I have today and the reflections going on in my mind.

The Coming of the Ship talks about a man called Almustafa who had been waiting for twelve years for his ship to return and take him from the island where he was. It talks about the mixed feelings leaving behind his life there and finally doing what he had dreamed about. He speaks about pain, the pain that he has suffered during his life on this island for 12 years and how much it has carved his soul. He knows he needs to leave since not leaving means crystallizing a moment that needs to end. How can we take with us everything that made sense and that transformed us and still be sure that we are living a new reality without holding onto the past? The experience itself needs to be enshrined in our heart with its different voices and memories but it also needs to be detached from our life today.

We stay immersed in the past that we fail to look at the future we have longed for, and when it is finally here we feel we are not ready to embark on it. Perhaps this is how I feel today. I longed for many of the things I have done during the last months and for what I am doing now, but now that those dreams have become my present, I feel afraid of letting them go and embark on another reality. I longed for many encounters, for many experiences, and when they come I feel suspended in uncertainty and dwelling upon the past and the future.

"...But much in his heart remained unsaid. For he himself could not speak his deeper secret."... How to express the happiness of feeling a cycle has been closed but at the same time acknowledging that the past is still important? How to speak the words that will bring to an end the silence that has kept everything alive and to which we remain attached? How to let go and feel the freedom of what the future brings with it? "...what treasure have I found in silences that I may dispense with confidence?" and yet those silences are what made us strong and at the same time vigilant of the past.

"...Let not the waves of the sea separate us now, and the years you have spent in our midst become a memory.... The priests and priestesses said to him... You have walked among us a spirit, and your shadow has been a light upon our faces. Much have we loved you. But speechless was our love, and with veils has it been veiled. Yet now it cries aloud unto you, and would stand revealed before you..." So let the experiences, the past, the people we have met, enrich us and strengthen us once we realize the moment of separation between what it was and what it will, has finally come, that even if never expressed with words before, it is now when you understand how powerful they were in your life. And then, what is there to say that it is not already written in the soul? What is there to disclose that has not already been engraved in the memories and experiences?

Important and powerful is what comes with the past, present and future and yet needless to hold onto since it also carries within the pain of uncertainty and attachment.

Read the full story and enjoy the reflection.

Love,

Malu

The Coming of the Ship - Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet and the Art of Peace

Almustafa, the chosen and the beloved, who was a dawn unto his own day, had waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship that was to return and bear him back to the isle of his birth.

And in the twelfth year, on the seventh day of Ielool, the month of reaping, he climbed the hill without the city walls and looked seaward; and he beheld the ship coming with the mist.
Then the gates of his heart were flung open, and his joy flew far over the sea. And he closed his eyes and prayed in the silences of his soul.

But he descended the hill, a sadness came upon him, and he thought in his heart: How shall I go in peace and without sorrow? Nay, not without a wound in the spirit shall I leave this city.
Long were the days of pain I have spent within its walls, and long were the nights of aloneness; and who can depart from his pain and his aloneness without regret?

Too many fragments of the spirit have I scattered in these streets, and too many are the children of my longing that walk naked among these hills, and I cannot withdraw from them without a burden and an ache.
It is not a garment I cast off this day, but a skin that I tear with my own hands. Nor is it a thought I leave behind me, but a heart made sweet with hunger and with thirst.

Yet I cannot tarry longer. The sea that calls all things unto her calls me, and I must embark. For to stay, though the hours burn in the night, is to freeze and crystallize and be bound in a mould.
Fain would I take with me all that is here. But how shall I?
A voice cannot carry the tongue and the lips that give it wings. Alone must it seek the ether.
And alone and without his nest shall the eagle fly across the sun.
Now when he reached the foot of the hill, he turned again towards the sea, and he saw his ship approaching the harbour, and upon her prow the mariners, the men of his own land.
And his soul cried out to them, and he said:
Sons of my ancient mother, you riders of the tides,
How often have you sailed in my dreams. And now you come in my awakening, which is my deeper dream.

Ready am I to go, and my eagerness with sails full set awaits the wind.
Only another breath will I breathe in this still air, only another loving look cast backward,
Then I shall stand among you, a seafarer among seafarers.
And you, vast sea, sleepless mother,
Who alone are peace and freedom to the river and the stream,
Only another winding will this stream make, only another murmur in this glade, And then shall I come to you, a boundless drop to a boundless ocean.

And as he walked he saw from afar men and women leaving their fields and their vineyards and hastening towards the city gates.
And he heard their voices calling his name, and shouting from field to field telling one another of the coming of the ship.

And he said to himself:
Shall the day of parting be the day of gathering?
And shall it be said that my eve was in truth my dawn?
And what shall I give unto him who has left his plough in midfurrow, or to him who has stopped the wheel of his winepress?

Shall my heart become a tree heavy-laden with fruit that I may gather and give unto them?
And shall my desires flow like a fountain that I may fill their cups?
Am I a harp that the hand of the mighty may touch me, or a flute that his breath may pass through me?
A seeker of silences am I, and what treasure have I found in silences that I may dispense with confidence?

If this is my day of harvest, in what fields have I sowed the seed, and in what unremembered seasons?
If this indeed be the hour in which I lift up my lantern, it is not my flame that shall burn therein.
Empty and dark shall I raise my lantern,
And the guardian of the night shall fill it with oil and he shall light it also.
These things he said in words. But much in his heart remained unsaid. For he himself could not speak his deeper secret.

And when he entered into the city all the people came to meet him, and they were crying out to him as with one voice.
And the elders of the city stood forth and said:
Go not yet away from us.
A noontide have you been in our twilight, and your youth has given us dreams to dream.
No stranger are you among us, nor a guest, but our son and our dearly beloved. Suffer not yet our eyes to hunger for your face.

And the priests and the priestesses said unto him:
Let not the waves of the sea separate us now, and the years you have spent in our midst become a memory.
You have walked among us a spirit, and your shadow has been a light upon our faces.
Much have we loved you. But speechless was our love, and with veils has it been veiled. Yet now it cries aloud unto you, and would stand revealed before you.
And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
And others came also and entreated him.
But he answered them not. He only bent his head; and those who stood near saw his tears falling upon his breast.

And he and the people proceeded towards the great square before the temple. And there came out of the sanctuary a woman whose name was Almitra. And she was a seeress.
And he looked upon her with exceeding tenderness, for it was she who had first sought and believed in him when he had been but a day in their city.
And she hailed him, saying: Prophet of God, in quest for the uttermost, long have you searched the distances for your ship.

And now your ship has come, and you must needs go.
Deep is your longing for the land of your memories and the dwelling place of your greater desires; and our love would not bind you nor our needs hold you.
Yet this we ask ere you leave us, that you speak to us and give us of your truth. And we will give it unto our children, and they unto their children, and it shall not perish.
In your aloneness you have watched with our days, and in your wakefulness you have listened to the weeping and the laughter of our sleep.

Now therefore disclose us to ourselves, and tell us all that has been shown you of that which is between birth and death.
And he answered,
People of Orphalese, of what can I speak save of that which is even now moving within your souls?

The Nobodies - Los Nadies - Eduardo Galeano

2011-05-14T11:54:00.002+02:00

Hola,

Today I woke up very thoughtful. I woke up thinking about those who don't have, those who have, those who are not allowed to speak up, those who speak up even if their voices are silent, those who live without a "north", those who are fixed with a single dream, those who are afraid, those who fear no one, those who love unconditionally, those who hate without reason, those who take risks, those who are afraid of daring, those who serve genuinely and those who exploit willingly ....and yet...these parallel, sometimes contradictory, and many times paradoxical situations are part of daily life, of relationships, of experiences and encounters.

How not to loose faith in the midst of violence? How to defend human rights without risking to be perceived as radical? How to advocate for peace in peaceful ways? How to break self-righteousness and biased views and being able to look at the world with an open mind?...

A friend of mine introduced me to El Libro de los Abrazos de Eduardo Galeano, and I found Los Nadies - The Nobodies, a text that speak about those who don't have anything or who have been deprived from the right to have. A text that perhaps shows how we make ourselves "nobodies" and treat others like "nobodies". Beautifully written and very inspiring. Enjoy this video with some parts of the text and the text in Spanish and English below.

Peace,

Malu

Los Nadies

Sueñan las pulgas con comprarse un perro y sueñan los nadies con salir de pobres, que algún mágico día llueva de pronto la buena suerte, que llueva a cántaros la buena suerte; pero la buena suerte no llueve ayer, ni hoy, ni mañana, ni nunca, ni en lloviznita cae del cielo la buena suerte, por mucho que los nadies la llamen y aunque les pique la mano izquierda, o se levanten con el pié derecho, o empiecen el año cambiando de escoba.
Los nadies: los hijos de los nadies, los dueños de nada.
Los nadies: los ningunos, los ninguneados, corriendo la liebre, muriendo la vida, jodidos, rejodidos:
Que no son, aunque sean.
Que no hablan idiomas, sino dialectos.
Que no profesan religiones, sino supersticiones.
Que no hacen arte, sino artesanía.
Que no practican cultura, sino folklore.
Que no son seres humanos, sino recursos humanos.
Que no tienen cara, sino brazos.
Que no tienen nombre, sino número.
Que no figuran en la historia universal, sino en la crónica roja de la prensa local.
Los nadies, que cuestan menos que la bala que los mata.

The Nobodies

Fleas dream of buying a dog, and the nobodies dream of coming out of poverty, that one magic day good luck will suddenly come raining down, that good luck will rain down by the buckets, but good luck doesn’t rain yesterday, nor today, nor tomorrow, nor never, not even in sprinklings does good luck fall from heaven, no matter how much the nobodies scratch their left hand, or stand up with the right foot, or begin the year by changing brooms.
The nobodies, the sons of nobodies, the owners of nothing.
The nobodies, the no ones, the nobodied, chasing the hare, dying of life, screwed, rescrewed:
That are not, even though they are.
That speak not language, but dialects.
That profess not religions, but superstitions.
That make not art, but crafts.
That practice not culture, but folklore.
That are not human beings, but human resources.
That have no face, but arms.
That have no name, but a number.
That figure not in universal history, but in the red pages of the local press.
The nobodies, that are worth less than the bullet which slays them.

Meeting friends!

2011-05-08T11:30:00.003+02:00

Hola,

I am just back from Brussels where I was attending a meeting and had the great chance to meet friends and relax. Things were hectic during the last weeks reading, analyzing information and finishing the first chapter of my thesis. I also started an online course on Peace Education with the University for Peace in Costa Rica and am planning some workshops I will deliver in the next months. It feels good to be busy with several things but I also feel a bit stressed so it was good to disconnect and do other things. I will post about it later.

This post is about meeting friends. Paul and I have decided to spend more time meeting friends, connecting to people, having encounters that inspire us and just enjoying simple moments with people we love. So during the last couple of months we have had several friends coming to our place for dinners, or staying for a weekend, for a day, or just having short meetings.

Reconnecting with friends and connecting with people have a very important meaning for me: the possibility to grow, to shape who we are through interaction, to experience happiness, to learn from others and just enjoy the simplicity of the encounter. Perhaps because I don't have many close friends around and because we don't meet so often many people, this becomes like something sacred, like being grateful for having friends, for the inspiration they bring, for the opportunity to share together. I also think this is the reason why I enjoy Facebook and I consider it a wonderful tool to connect and get inspired by people. It makes the world smaller and easier to reach those who are far or those you haven't met for a great deal of time. It is somehow like you can talk to people at any moment without the constrains of space and time and constantly learn from them.

Here are some photos with friends during the last couple of months!

Valentina, a friend from Colombia, with her friend Sebastien from France - had lunch together at our place and then enjoyed Geneva on a sunny day!

Had Benjamin and Miriam with their parents at home for dinner! Here they are watching a movie in our bedroom!

Helena from Sweden and Markus from Austria, parents of Miriam and Benjamin, at our place for dinner!

Martha from Colombia and Thiago from Brazil, friends from WPA, at home during a weekend!

With Valentina, a Colombian friend who lives in Neuchatel. We went to her place for lunch and here we are close to the lake!

Andi from Switzerland and Ingrid from Brazil came to visit us for a weekend! Here we are in Geneva!

Went to Basel for Dan's farewell before he went to Hong Kong! Here with friends from WPA

Nadia from Cameroon and Buli from Macedonia, came for a weekend to visit us. Here we are in in France.

Alex and Eva from Spain came with their baby Blanca for dinner!

Alexandra from Romania and Johan from Sweden came to our place for dinner!

Ruben from the Netherlands, Duran from Finland/US/Afghanistan/Switzerland, and Aditya from India, all of them living in Switzerland, came for dinner, music and drinks!

We also met other friends who invited us to their places but unfortunately we don't have pictures!

Great time with friends and already looking forward to meeting them again.

Hugs,

Malu