World Vision Dialogue - Building a new collective dream

HUMANITARY AID MONUMENT IN SÃO TOMÉ

Sometimes building a new vision --- developing a new dream --- fulfilling the promise for all people, means going back to remember. Sometimes, it means making things right. Sometimes it means paying tribute to those who sacrificed and those that showed up to risk it all to help.

Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha, Igbo visionary from Biafra/south-eastern Nigeria, shared the meaningful, commemorative initiative underway related to the HUMANITARY AID MONUMENT IN SÃO TOMÉ. It comes with a story we should all know --- a shameful story that will leave you in disbelief. It is one I regrettably missed in my busy-ness of early life and I assume you might have too.

The GOOD NEIGHBORS:
To set the stage for the description that follows, I remember how Dr. Nkwocha shared a part of this story with me. In his own words:

"Nigeria refused to allow humanitarian relief to go directly to Biafra. There were a few brave souls that showed up to help. Many lost their lives. Flying in relief to Biafra called for innovation. The Biafran airports were under constant fire and bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force. During this time with our good neighbors, the principal Biafran Airport became the busiest airport on the continent of Africa. It was the most efficient and most resourceful. Our innovation? All transactions were done in near total darkness! The world had failed Biafra, but there were brave souls---our good neighbors---who showed that they cared.

History teaches us one thing: Persons and Personalities are remembered, NOT for what they are NOR for what they do, but for what they have DONE."

WILL YOU SHOW UP TO HELP NOW?
Here is history and compelling story you won't want to overlook...this time. As I learn more about this story, I am sure its past, present and future comes to us as what Mother Teresa called "Jesus in a distressing disguise" calling out for all that is human in us to respond. We invite you to share in Xavier Muñoz Torrent's message below. The commitment demonstrated in this initiative is proof that the world, even if silent, does not and will not forget horrendous acts that painfully became part of the story of Biafra.

MESSAGE and INVITATION from...
Xavier Muñoz Torrent, President
Caué Association, Friends of São Tomé & Príncipe
São Tomé e Príncipe, África Occidental
http://es.geocities.com/caueass
Emails: [email protected] ou [email protected]
Cidade de São Tomé / Barcelona / Lisboa, July 2007

"Forty years ago, in the 30th May 1967, the Republic of Biafra was declared, by separation from Nigeria after political convulsions and indiscriminate killings which followed the first times of that post colonial federation. That proclamation was the starter of one of the most bloody wars ever seen before in the modern world -the War of Biafra- and one of the biggest genocides, that included the most terrible hungry: more than 1.500.000 civilians, mostly children, didn't survive to that drama.

From July 1968 till January 1970, the Joint Churches Aid was organising an humanitary air-corridor based in São Tomé island. Thanks to the skillfulness of pilots of different nacionalities in very risky night-flights, outwitting the Nigerian artillery, besieged Biafrans were provided with the most basic goods. The JCA's planes made plenty of flights (they did them different times every night) and took part in the evaquation of defenceless population where the genocide was sure.

The JCA's managers, the authorities of the Island and the civilian population were completely involved into a humanitary aid operations, with heroic facts (or simply human facts) which were place forever into the minds of people who lived that moment; even in the memories, legends and popular imaginary. The São Tomé port and airport registered an activity such intense as never before; São Tomé market filled up with cooperants, religious people, medical doctors, logists and military men…, but also adventurers, mercenaries, mavericks, smugglers and speculators coming from the most remote places of the planet. São Tomé became during that time a "hub" devoted to international relief and its name was placed on the world map again, as the capital of the most felt humanity that was fight against the most brutal violence and irrationality.

Nowadays, the rest of those planes used in that air-bridge, two "Lockheed Constellation" ("Connies"), abandoned to the climatic inclemencies since the end of the war, are the silent testimonies of this episode, almost forgotten, of the contemporary history of São Tomé and of the Western Africa.

AN INTERNATIONAL POPULAR INITIATIVE:
THE MONUMENT OF HUMANITARY AID

The Caué Association, Friends of São Tomé e Príncipe, believes, after these years of playing a function in local memory, of last evidence, a recognizement is needed for these aircrafts an is impelling an international popular initiative (by free subscription of individuals and entities) to ask to the Government of the Democratic Reuplic of São Tomé e Príncipe

THE CONVERTION / DECLARATION OF THE REST OF THE TWO LOCKHEED CONSTELLATION AIRCRAFTS AS AN INTERNATIONAL MONUMENT OF THE HUMANITARY AID, TAKING PART OF THE SANTOMEAN NATIONAL INHERITANCE.

The project includes the declaration of both aircrafts and the field where they are placed as historic monument and official catalogation, the renewing and consolidation of both planes and conditioning of one of them to be used as museum of humanitary aid and of the history of that air-bridge to Biafra; the organisation of conferences and exhibitions, debates and other different cultural and scientific manifestations about the humanitary aid or relief, about the humanitarism and about the social ethics of cooperation.

GIVE YOUR SUPPORT TO THIS INITIATIVE

The Caué Association is impelling a campaign for international support subscription. You can give your support to this initiative by subscribing it. Deadline to send supports: 31st July 2007."

How you can support this meaningful project:

http://es.geocities.com/caueass/caue_projetos/caue_biafra/caue_stpxbiafra_subscreve_uk.htm

More info in:
http://es.geocities.com/caueass/caue_projetos/caue_biafra/caue_stpxbiafra_uk.htm

~~~~~~~end message

May our world live with a greater more generous consciousness to ensure the past is honored, the present is healed and the future is one of HOPE for the Biafran people.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

On behalf of the Nation and People of Biafra

RELATED PODCAST AND STORIES:
PODCAST with Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D.
STORY #1: NIGERIA: Did you know people are dying?
STORY #2: NIGERIA: GREED, HUMAN ABUSE, STEALING and loving your neighbor?
STORY #3: NIGERIAN LEADERS STOLE 100 BILLION SINCE 1999 

AFRICA: British Government--Finding a NEW PATH

Some years ago, a highly respected leader told me that someone had shared with him that the origin of the word manager meant to control. "Leadership, on the other hand," he told me, "had a Germanic origin meaning to find a new path."

Right now, at this time in history, almost everywhere in the world, we see things happening that require a new generation of big, bold, innovative leaders to step forth to consider new and promising ideas --- leaders willing to find new paths for peace and prosperity for all the world's nations. Nowhere is the need more pressing and the requirement for new thinking and new vision more URGENT than in Africa. The urgency is not for more aggression or more sanctions. It is for true LEADERSHIP --- the kind that can forge new paths by putting differences to work by honoring them through creative new solutions. Africa represents a place that tragically has been a demonstration, over and over again, of what Albert Einstein warned when he said that "we can solve problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."

With the change of leadership in the British Government, it is clear that Gordon Brown has the opportunity to set an example for the world of true leadership at a new level by rethinking the long-standing failed UK colonial policies related to Africa and piloting a new paradigm --- stepping up to allow a new way to help Africa become whole through the new vision offered in the Multi-Nations Solution --- an idea that if successful could be a role model for change throughout the world. It is an honor, to present the appeal and promise of brilliant new idea shared in the open letter that follows below by Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha, Igbo visionary from south-eastern Nigeria/Biafra:

AN  OPEN  LETTER  FOR  TONY  BLAIR  AND  GORDON  BROWN 
REGARDING  AFRICA

“Blair passes on his African vision” is the title of a recent news transcript by Peter Biles of BBC News, Johannesburg, of “From Our Own Correspondent broadcast on Thursday, May 9th, 2007 at 1100 GMT on BBC Radio 4.”  It is a title evoking feelings of unbridled unease for the reason that the implied recipient of Blair’s vision is Gordon Brown, who was a member of Tony Blair’s Commission for Africa; and Brown will also be inheriting the UK government from Blair.

For, it is our opinion and belief that Mr. Blair’s vision of Africa is informed by and founded on the UK government’s policies on Africa; that such policies are an unbroken thread woven from the period and the ingredients of British colonization of Africa; that colonization inflicted the wound which turned Africa, as once described by Blair (according to the broadcast above), “a scar” [“on the conscience of the world”]. We believe that a vision of Africa formulated by the Prime Defender and Executor of government policies which torment Africa (as colonial policies certainly did) cannot be a good vision. And now, both the vision and subtending government are being “passed on” together to Mr. Brown. That is the cause of our trepidation.

AFRICA Solutions (PDF)

Recommittal to Declaration of Biafra May 30 2007 (PDF)

We do not in any way suggest that Tony Blair and or Gordon Brown have less than honorable, charitable intentions towards Africa, nor do we question their commitment to Africa. We do, though, point out that their circumstances make well nigh impossible “thinking outside the box” paradigm for Africa.  That is the cause of our unease. It is essentially clear that without throwing off the old mentality, no significant progress can be made in Africa, which explains why indeed no such significant progress has been made or recorded, despite a huge investment in time, money and personnel.

We can use Nigeria as an example of British policies in Africa. 100 years ago or so, the British applied colonial policies to Nigeria and forced a “non-uniting” British-balkanized “union,” out of peoples with hardly any thing in common save for skin pigmentation. A problem “child” of a State was thus birthed. 100 years later, the UK government is still insisting on keeping Nigeria one, unmoved by Nigeria’s glaring problems which have rendered Nigeria truly unworkable and painted it a caricature to the rest of the world.  This past decade was Blair’s watch: he maintained these policies—as if he had forgotten that these policies led to Genocide against the Igbo and other Biafrans by Nigeria; led to the Biafran war, wherein the British government provided the wherewithal for Nigeria to use hunger as a “legitimate” (Nigeria’s rationale, backed by Britain) weapon of war against Biafrans; led to Muslim domination of Nigeria (British deliberate preference); led to the current morass and looming crisis in Nigeria.  It could well be said that Nigeria is a test of Blair’s Africa vision, as well as his Africa policies: that makes our point and justifies our concerns. 

It is within this context that we implore Gordon Brown to abandon failed Africa policies and failed Africa vision which are now being passed on to him, in order that Africa may escape suffocation.  As these apply to Nigeria, we implore Mr. Brown to re-evaluate the Nigeria-must-remain-one colonial policy and vision of the British government, a policy and vision which have already put Nigeria in coma, one step from final demise; not forgetting that human beings bear the burden and are paying the ultimate price, minute by minute, for these failings.

Specifically, we ask Mr. Brown and the British government to stop blocking a Multi-Nations solution for Nigeria, whereby major Ethnic Nations in Nigeria regain their pre-colonial Independence, Sovereignty and Nationhood. These Nations can then mutually agree on areas of inter-National cooperation among themselves.  There is nothing in this arrangement which should jeopardize genuine and legal British interests in the area: if anything, such interests will be secure and better met than in the no-end-in-sight disaster known by Nigeria.

This paradigm can be applied where appropriate and where desired by the Nations and their peoples in other parts of Africa. We believe that restructuring of the nature suggested by the Multi-Nations solution paradigm will finally neutralize the colonial program which has been running in the background despite so-called Independence of African countries. It is the fact that colonialism still lurks and is active in Africa that is responsible for major ongoing problems of Africa today. Restructuring will eliminate the odious program and lead to more stability and security in Africa.

We urge Tony Blair, for his part, to turn his attention to Biafra—to working for the actualization of Biafra, which fits into the Multi-Nations solution strategy for Nigeria, if he can still find the time to work on Africa, as we predict and hope he will. Biafra has to be a huge burden on the conscience of the British / British government considering the large role played by the British, even as we speak, in the ongoing oppression and persecution and bloodletting by Nigeria of the Biafrans in Nigeria today.  We believe that Mr. Blair will find in the actualization of the Nation of Biafra a new hope for Africa.  And he should discover a true friendship and caring for the British which has always been there but thus far trampled.

We write in order to turn our unease regarding these developments into reassurance. This translates into hope for our people: hope that we will crawl out of imposed bondage and proceed to fulfill life’s aspirations as citizens of the Independent Nation of Biafra; hope that Africa will have found an effective solution for thus far intractable problems, so to arise to fulfill its potential on the globe; hope for the Blair’s and the Brown’s  of this world who strive so hard to make a difference in our world—that they may get tangible and significant results.

In the absence of such hope, we perish—we all perish, together.

Oguchi Nkwocha, MD
A Biafran Citizen
California, USA

On behalf of the Nation and People of Biafra

RELATED PODCAST AND STORIES:
PODCAST with Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D.
STORY #1: NIGERIA: Did you know people are dying?
STORY #2: NIGERIA: GREED, HUMAN ABUSE, STEALING and loving your neighbor?
STORY #3: NIGERIAN LEADERS STOLE 100 BILLION SINCE 1999

NEW VISION for NIGERIA: Honoring the Ethnic Nations

Creating a new world starts with paying attention  to all our struggles. For it is in the struggles of our good neighbors across the world that we are called to look at ourselves. It is in the understanding of others' dispair that we allow painful truth into our hearts so that innovative solutions emerge in our creative minds. It is in the understanding of others' situation that our individual call-to-action emerges. It is by building understanding and acceptance of one another's injustices that we can take ownership --- feel a since of responsibility to reach out to help nuture, support and sponsor BIG IDEAS that could not only be a solution for one people, but beginning of framework of new thinking that could become a repeatable process for change --- creating a better world than we know today.

Recently, Oguchi Nkwocha, Igbo visionary from South-eastern Nigeria, in sharing a Multi-Nations Solution (MNS) for Nigeria in the editorial below, offers a new vision for honoring one another versus the continued pushing to control, exploit, abuse, rob, displace and impose our differences and beliefs on one another.

I share it with you. May it inspire your action.

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

FAITH UNDER FIRE
Crackdown on Christians could go nationwide
Fears raised that Islamic law will expand under new president

It is unfortunate that headlines, titles and subtitles such as the above might be ignored by the rest of the world as mere hyperbole, or even worse, religious propaganda.  The fact remains that in Nigeria, real persons, real groups, and real people—Christians—do indeed suffer massively because of Islamic teachings and Muslim actions and practices in their enclave, against Christians residing therein. Not even the reported-quoted individual experiences in your article may get the attention of the world who are in constant psychological denial on this matter. Regarding these experiences, I did not read, in your article, about a not uncommon occurrence which is reported only rarely: the kidnapping of Christian children (of / from Christian families) in Northern Nigeria on the orders of Muslim leaders, and the subsequent forced Islamization of such children behind a religious, social, psychological and even physical wall that is all but impenetrable to the aggrieved Christian families who long with such indescribable longing to rescue and re-unite with their children—in futility, in helplessness, and all alone.

Let’s not assume that the “world” is merely in psychological denial about this issue: often, world and sociopolitical agencies are willing accomplices and play an active role in continued Muslim brutalization and domination of Christians in Nigeria. Recall that for the last 8 years in Nigeria, General Obasanjo has been the President of, and “civilian” Dictator in, Nigeria. He frequently boasts his “Born-Again” Christian credentials and flashes those to blind gullible fellow-Christians from the rest of the world, easily garnering their support or buying their silence. But, the same General Obasanjo has never taken a stand against this problem of Muslim aggression against Christians in Nigeria. Rather, he would publicly attempt to compete for credit for formalizing Shariah in Northern Nigeria. Few would recall that when Shariah was formally launched by one of the Northern Nigerian State governors during Obasanjo’s administration, Obasanjo personally called that State governor on the phone in a live-performance during the launch to congratulate him for the action.  Today, it is “Christian” Obasanjo who, alone, personally and willfully hand-picked relatively unknown Umaru Yar’Adua, a staunch Shariarist, and foists him over Nigeria as the President-elect, if Nigeria’s recent fraudulent (s)election is allowed to stand, by the cowed and comatose peoples living in Nigeria.  Regarding the launching of Shariah, that this formal launching of Northern Nigeria’s Sharia was performed in the US strengthens earlier assertions about the permissive role played by world-bodies.  The US is under constant barrage and pressure by pro-Muslim, non-Muslim ex-diplomats and lobbyists to show and exercise preference for Northern Nigerian Muslims, even over the Christian South, and there is direct and indirect evidence that the US is responding positively to such, including its unusual “softness” with a region where the US flag is burnt with regularity, children are named “Osama” after bin Laden’s 9/11 attack on the US,  and anti-America sentiment runs high all the time. It should be interesting to find out exactly how the US aid to Nigeria is split in terms of Northern (Muslim) versus Southern (Christian) Nigeria.

But the most “indicted” in this area has got to be the British government, a government representing the world’s bastion of Christianity, the world’s traditional “poster-child” Christian Nation. The same British government, starting in the colonial days, even as the British missionaries were busy converting Southern Nigerians to Christianity, got in bed with the Muslim Northern Nigeria and have since supported the Northern Muslims over, and to the clear detriment of, hapless Christian Southern Nigeria—and it makes no secret of it.  As a reminder, when Britain’s Charles, Prince of Wales, visited Nigeria recently, he spent all the time on this official visit in Muslim Northern Nigeria. A year or so earlier, when his mother, the Queen of England, was on official tour of Nigeria, she preferred to be quartered in Muslim Northern Nigeria, snobbing “fellow-Christians” of Southern Nigeria. Take note: these are not just enabling actions by the British government favoring Northern Muslims; they are also truly abrasive actions—deliberately malicious—against the Christians of Nigeria, for reasons still inexplicable.

The fears expressed by the Christians of Nigeria are well-founded. It is not just the fear of Muslim brutalization and domination or forced Islamization of Christians: it is also the fear that the world at large and World Powers would not only look the other way, but will tacitly or actively aid the Muslims against the Christians, in this sordid matter. Already, the British, the US, Italy, the EU, (even Russia and China) have (reportedly) sent congratulatory or cooperation-delegations to Umaru Yar’Adua.  They have conveniently though predictably forgotten Yar’Adua’s Shariah record as a governor of one of the Sharia Northern Nigerian States. The following story throws light on such a record.

Safiya  Hussaini (“Safiya”) became a near-household name (who could forget?) when in 2001, the 35 year-old woman from the core Northern Muslim Nigerian State of Sokoto was sentenced to death by stoning by a Shariah “court” for the “crime” of adultery, following the formal introduction of Shariah in Northern Nigeria.  A horrified World went into gear, slipping into overdrive to try to stop the Shariah-prescribed murder of this woman, and ultimately, prevailed, thank goodness—no thanks to Yar’Adua who was the governor  of a fellow-Shariah State.  Then, soon afterwards, Yar’Adua would be tested directly. He, as the governor of Katsina State, allowed the conviction and death sentence of another hapless Muslim woman who was still nursing her child. Such is the March 2002 case of then 30 year-old Amina Lawal “convicted” by Katsina State Shariah “court” of the “crime” of adultery.  But for another “massive” intervention-crusade on the part of the World, resulting in “creatively” finding a technical loophole (Amina was already pregnant when Shariah law was implemented in her home province), Ms. Lawal would have been stoned to death. Once again, Yar’Adua did not play any active role in saving Amina from State-sponsored Murder.

Umaru Yar’Adua saw nothing wrong with sentences which would have resulted in the murder of Muslims accused and convicted of adultery by Sharia courts in Nigeria. After May 28, 2007, the same Yar’Adua may become the President of almost 140 million people, half of whom are for the most part Christians.  There is no reason to think that the welfare of Christians in Nigeria will evoke any special consideration by Yar’Adua should they go against Shariah laws and practices: he did not spare his fellow-Muslims. This is why the fear of Christians living in Nigeria is justified. But, these Christians should be, and are, in fact, more petrified by the realization that most of the Christian governments of the world will be on Yar’Adua’s side. That is the tragedy.

We have proposed a “Multi-Nations Solution” (MNS) for Nigeria whereby the natural Sovereignty and original political Independence of the major Ethnic Nations in Nigeria are restored, ratified and respected. This removes individual Christian Nations from under the control of Muslims (who will likewise live in their own Independent Nation[s]) by this plan, since religion-boundaries for the most part run along ethnic lines in Nigeria. Nations resulting from MNS which have, in addition, a minority religion (or a minority population) will be held to UN laws and standards on Minority matters.  All the Nations may then determine, with respect, equity and mutuality, how to relate, one with another, on an inter-National basis. MNS protects peoples and religions, while at the same time subjecting each Nation to International Laws (not inscrutable, inhumane internal laws), with equality. This Solution will also effectively solve Nigeria’s chronic instability problems: it is public knowledge that Nigeria as presently constituted is a failed nation, with no hope of recovery (incidentally, the only strong opposition to this plan comes from the government of Christian Britain); for that matter, the circumstances of Yar’Adua’s election are known to be fraudulent, and the legitimacy of any government he may form is in great jeopardy.  It should not be lost on the reader that continued Muslim molestation and abuse of Christians in Northern Nigeria is only made possible by this instability of Nigeria, a pathologic situation which also sustains and shields such religion-based brutality.

It is clear that if nothing is done, Christians will continue to live (if they do) in fear in Nigeria, fear justified by real nasty experiences at the hands of Nigerian Muslims: the same is the case if the status quo is preserved in Nigeria. As we can see, even under a Christian President of Nigeria, the Christians continue to bleed at the hands of Muslim Nigeria; a Muslim President of strict Shariah credentials is expected to victimize the Christians even worse, this time around.

We therefore urge all Christians everywhere to support the Multi-Nations Solution (MNS) paradigm for Nigeria; we urge them to write and contact their respective governments asking that the governments support this plan.  When we do this, then, we will have backed up our prayers for the protection of Christians in Nigeria—and for that matter, all peoples living in Nigeria—with personal action. The fear and suffering of Christians in Nigeria in this matter is unnecessary: it has to end. MNS will accomplish that.

Oguchi Nkwocha, MD
Member, Biafra Actualization Forum (BAF).
May 2007

RELATED PODCAST:
Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D., Igbo visionary from Biafra/south-eastern Nigeria, joins Debbe Kennedy, founder of the Global Dialogue Center to share his thoughts and wisdom, exchanging ideas on creating a new VISION for our WORLD, becoming a visionary ourselves, the role of personal responsibility and how we can become part of the oneness of the full world.
Listen now  59:30

SAVING HUMANITY: One man with vision

Oh, it is sometimes to hard to comprehend the power we have as people to change the world --- the power we have as just a single person. So many looking to us for leadership; so many needing our care and concern; so many counting on us to open the way for the good of all. One dream could change it all.

I was again moved and reminded of this truth in a poem written by my colleague and Igbo visionary from Biafra/south-eastern Nigeria, Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha. He invites us to see a different vision of ourselves, so we can, in turn, bring new dreams to life for others in our spans of influence.

VISION
by Oguchi H. Nkwocha, M.D.
Stirrings, A collection of poetry

The sighted are leading the blind
Where sight is not vision
So indeed do the blind lead the blind.
Sight is the scotoma
Fashioned by the eyes
Interpreted by a perjured brain
Misdirected by a confused mind
Accepted by unchallenge false belief.
Hence it indeed is so--
Believing is seeing.
Enter vision
An act of extension,
Of sharing;
An experience of communion in light,
Always the one field--
Love, peace, joy and happiness;
Oneness and wholeness.
Vision is thought,
The original thought;
It is mind,
The original mind.
One man with vision
Can save the whole humanity;
A thousand men with perfect sight
Could not even guide a babe.

Consider Dr. Nkwocha's wisdom. Let it fall fresh on you. I leave you this call-to-action as I move into it again myself...

Welcome the unexpected.
Look for the uncharted path that bears your name.
Lead the way!

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

Three related readings, podcasts and music:

WORLD VISION: Embracing Lessons Learned
(includes PODCAST with Dr. Nkwocha)

PERSPECTIVE with Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha
podcast

DREAMS COME TRUE:
Music by Nwakego for Igbo Children and Children of the World

NEW WORLD VISION: "When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind"

Recently, I conducted a SKYPECAST on the subject of War and the QUESTION of a NOBLE CAUSE. It was a most amazing experience. Twenty-seven people showed up instantly. Twenty listened in. Seven strangers from Ukraine, China, Denmark, London and the US joined me. We represented very different perspectives of the world. Our talk wasn't focused, but curious, spontaneous and respectful of one another. Oh, there was some controversy for sure, but very different people proved that we can be at peace with one another. It was somewhat disturbing to hear the wide gaps in how we perceived one another's intent and definitely views of the world that cast blame on specific people and causes. Don't we all share in it in some way? What saddened me is that many most of those who participated believed in WAR much more than the possibilities of PEACE.

But how do we transcend the barriers of greed and bombs and bloodshed?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a recipe full of wisdom that we could use today:

"When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love. Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice."

HOW DO WE CHANGE OURSELVES?
We can do it in an instant, replacing what is, perhaps what you perceive to be what has always been, with new bold, new PEACEFUL possibilities. You ask how? RUMI, the mystic poet whispers across thousands of years into our ears with what we need to do:

"Tear the binding from around the foot of your soul, and let it race around the track in front of the crowd. Loosen the knot of greed so tight on your neck. Accept your new good luck. Ignore those that make you fearful and sad. Be patient. Respond to every call for your good deeds."

Imagine the power of a NEW WORLD VISION carried by millions that was built upon the premise of when evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind.

How could you contribute today with just a little change in your thinking and actions?

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

WORLD VISION: See it from a new perspective...

Coming to you from the Global Dialogue Center...

Dear friends,

We welcome YOU to a dialogue that has the potential to change the world! It has been going on for sometime and we thought we would refresh its message. Dream with us!

History is full of examples that clearly demonstrate to us all, again and again, that having a vision -- a compelling dream -- is essential for us to manifest a more loving, productive, generous and respectful world for all people. Most of us have forgotten how to dream -- or don't realize its power in helping us create a world very different than we see and experience today.

The future is ours to create. Let's think together and share the possibilities we see from our individual vantage points. Post your dream, vision, thinking or comments. Let's virtually join hands around the world, declaring a new collective dream and intentions to change the world as we know it. To see what others have posted already or to post your own contribution, see left menu or click on comments below.

You'll find supportive writings to inspire you under BEFORE POSTING on the left menu. ...or share your dream in your own way. All visionaries welcome! Also see RELATED LINKS for access to other powerful vision-related exhibits, video and ongoing conversations being held at the Global Dialogue Center.

We are honored to have this opportunity to serve with you in this experience. Join us and others around the world in taking a bold step forward in creating a new future!

With gratitude,
Oguchi Nkwocha, MD             Debbe Kennedy, Founder, Global Dialogue Center

 

Artwork: Mother Earth by Sally K. Green

NIGERIA ALERT: OUR FRIENDS NEED HELP!

ALERT
from  theCenter for WORLD INDIGENOUS STUDIES
Emerging Genocide in Nigeria - Biafra

What is now rapidly unfolding in Southeastern Nigeria is the intentional and widespread murder of Igbo people, both men and women, that mimics the early stages of ethnic cleansings in Rwanda, Burundi, Congo and the Darfur in Sudan. Government sanctioned killings of Igbo peoples are developing into a form of genocide.
Learn more

This is not a new issue for the Igbo people. Over two million died in the 1960's while the world turned their heads.

Dream of free Biafra revives in southeast Nigeria"
by Estelle Shirbon, Reuters July 2006,Washington Post

"...the idea of an independent Ibo homeland has regained strength in recent years...A separatist group, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), formed in 1999 and has drawn increasing support, especially among young people..."We have many graduates in Biafra but many of them are in the market pushing wheelbarrows, because they don't have anything else,"..."We should have our own country so everyone can have the opportunity to show what they can do," ...

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP NOW?
Go here. Inform yourself. Urgent intervention must be initiated now to prevent massive, government sanctioned killings. Please read this news update and send your comments to the US State department and the Nigerian embassy in Washington D.C. at the links provided.

RELATED PODCAST AND STORIES:
PODCAST with Oguchi Nkwocha, M. D.
STORY #1: NIGERIA: Did you know people are dying?
STORY #2: NIGERIA: GREED, HUMAN ABUSE, STEALING and loving your neighbor?
STORY #3: NIGERIAN LEADERS STOLE 100 BILLION SINCE 1999

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VIKTOR FRANKL's WISDOM:
Meaning, Hope and Change Can Help Others
Horrific circumstances always lead me back to Viktor Frankl and others that have worked to help us understand the human potential we all have to change ourselves in the face of tragedy, so we can in turn respond to our neighbors crys for help and create a better world than we know today. Our friends need us and we can help no matter where we are. We have to find ways within our span of influence to help.

What can we learn from those who have found meaning, hope, courage and love to help others under the worst times of suffering themselves? From Frankl's book, MAN's SEARCH FOR ULTIMATE MEANING, written after his classic Man's Search for Meaning, he writes:

"Facing a fate we cannot change, we are called upon to make the best of it by rising above ourselves and growing beyond ourselves, in a word, by changing ourselves---...inasmuch as we may turn suffering into a human achievement and accomplishment; derive from guilt the opportunity to change for the better; and see in life's transitoriness and incentive to take responsible action. Let me quote from the book of a German bishop (Moser, 1978) the following incident:

A few years after World War II a doctor examined a Jewish woman who wore a bracelet made of baby teeth mounted in gold. "A beautiful bracelet," the doctor remarked. "Yes," the woman answered, "this tooth here belonged to Miriam, this one to Esther, and this one to Samual..." She mentioned the names of her daughters and sons accoding to age. "Nine children," she added,"and all them were taken to the gas chambers." Shocked, the doctor asked: "How can you live with such a bracelet?" Quietly, the Jewish woman replied: "I am now in charge of an orphanage in Israel."

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE, YOU CAN HELP
This time in history with barbaric realities in places like southeastern NIGERIA and in many corners of the world on the rise, all of us must look within our own lives and hearts to examine what we might change that may in some way ---- perhaps small ways ---- perhaps in direct contributions or with our vote and voice ---- perhaps in changing our indifference that may be perpetuating this kind of human abuse to our good neighbors.

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIKTOR FRANKL's WISDOM:
Viktor Frankl COLLECTION at the Global Dialogue Center
The MEANING DIFFERENCE with Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.

PEACE: Being a GOOD NEIGHBOR

Last December, I participated in a most amazing human gathering called the Habitat JAM. It was three days in history when 39,000 people from some 180+ countries came together in dialogue to listen, think, question and be with one another ---- talk with one another about the problems most pressing on our cities throughout the world.

This wonderful experience was resulted because of the visionary leadership of Charles Kelly, Commissioner General of the UN World Forum 3 with the collaboration of the UN-Habitat Programme and the government of Canada and IBM Corporation. It was an unprecedented moment in human history crossing all boundaries of human communication. I will never forget the experience.

There is one brief encounter I had with a man from Turkey that has stayed with me. I had posed the question, "What does it mean to be a good neighbor?"

AYSIN wrote:

l am from Türkiye. You know what hospitable people they are. The thing what we should do to be a good neighbour is that to open your doors, to share your happiness and sadness,to give a plate of soup to them to taste it ,to visit them. We do so. l hope everbody does it. If everybody sees their neighbours as their sister or brother, there will even not be war in the world. Sincerely!

Hold that vision!

...and go visit the Habitat JAM website at www.habitatjam.com to learn more and make your way to WUF3. It has lots going on online, including webcast. Or go direct:
www.wuf3-fum3.ca

Be a good neighbor and tell me what you think about what it means to be a good neighbor?

I would love to talk with you about it.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

FINDING NEW COURAGE TO DREAM

Life is always asking a little more from us, yes? Asking us to be more, do more. This has been on my mind today and it has reminded me again that I've collected a few pieces of encouragement that seem to help me reach find new courage---that always lead to creating new VISIONS of what is out there for us to capture.

Below are three things that have been trusted friends:

1. I have a big rock on my desk that has YES! carved into it. It reminds me that once I really answer, "YES!" to a question life asks me that the way is opened.

2. When I get scared about doing hard things, I repeat a mantra over and over that a friend shared. I CAN, I WILL, I MUST, I AM. Try it sometime. It gives you an instant lift.

3. Twelve two word sentences define my heart's desire. I found them in a spiritual song some months back. If these things happened what else does one need?

Melt me.
Mold me.
Fill me.
Use me.
Cleanse me.
Teach me.
Hold me.
Reach me.
Shield me.
Free me.
Call me.
Lead me.

How about you?
What encourages you?
What tools to you use to find new courage?

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
www.globaldialoguecenter.com

CHANGE THE WORLD: Live with conviction

Life --- it seems is for questioning --- for reexamining, rethinking, reviewing, revitalizing, reinventing. Each of these actions require something of us. We have to want something different than we experience and observe than we do today. We have to have deep passions in our belly and a sincere willingness to make the personal investments to live up to our convictions.

Nelson Mandela has lived his life showing us a clear example of one living his life in this way. He teaches us by his example what it means to stay true to your convictions:

"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against White domination, and I have fought against Black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

--- Nelson Mandela
Final page of Mandela's statement at the Rivonia Trial - April 1964

Imagine what all of us could do together if each of us lived our lives with conviction --- if each of us answered life's questions with our conviction to make the world a better place for others. It starts by measuring our behavior, by consciously checking buying decisions, speaking UP!, exercising our VOTE to elect leaders with VISION that unite us as one human family. Hold that vision!

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

Related:
Put your mark on history; share your opinion
Viktor Frankl Self-Learning Exhibit