Monday, June 12, 2017

Human Dignity a Core Value in Peacebuilding

 During this SIS Summer Abroad celebrating 50yrs after the 5days 12 hrs war what has changed?

Today we did a multi-perspective tour with Ir Amim Tours'. As the day went by it became frustrating seeing the level of division and the lack of environmental dignity in certain areas of the city of Jerusalem. Some of the areas visited today evoked great passion and overwhelming emotion for me. The simple fact is that it is not looking good.  Because no matter what you look like, how you speak, who you love or what you profess decency and cleanliness is next to godliness. It accounts for your dignity.

So today, I speak about human dignity and security following this outing. It is very inspiring. Our tour guide understands the subjects very well. She took time answering our many questions that ranges from everything and anything you might think of. The big deal today was the huge wall that separates the two sides. It drove down business in the area making the area vulnerable. Because a man without dignity has nothing to lose or protect and therefore can be nefarious. Therefore part of security measure could be creating opportunities against an idle mind.

I also wondered how children on both sides interact and what they make of it? Giving this environment my mind flashed at the UN Charter on the rights of children. That children have rights to citizenship, his or her identity, including nationality, name and family. That a child should have the right to clean drinking water, education, health, freedom of expression, children should be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, to diminish infant and child mortality.

This is how we do peace education. This is how we reform society. Children are suffering as victims and some instances as perpetrators. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu says, "Without Forgiveness, There is No Future" We are in the City of Jerusalem. We are in the world that cries out in pain from terrorist attack - a world that desperately needs some tender loving care - a world that desperately needs to have total forgiveness and reconciliation enacted. This is equity. This is justice.

Chiz Chukwu


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