Why, international peace?
As some of you know, I was in Washington, D.C. in 2002 when our country started discussing the options of going to war. At the time, I was reading a book by Jimmy Carter on international peacebuilding. He explained how peace came to the Middle East just by talking through the issues with national leaders at Camp David.
The concept brought me back to college when I was a resident assistant. On our floor, we had facilitated conflict mediation between residents. First, we would talk with one roommate and then the other to discuss the problems. Then, we brought them in together. One resident would share her thoughts and frustrations and the other would listen. The situation was then reversed. By understanding the concerns of each other, the issue usually resolved. A more exciting result was when the arguing roommates became friends! It was amazing to me that these once enemies became accepting of each other just because they appreciated and understood each other's differences. While the concept may sound simple, Jimmy Carter's book made me realize that this process this could be applied at the international level.
In addition to these thoughts, being back in the Midwest, I have witnessed our soldiers going overseas and watched families worry about their sons and daughters. Working as a news reporter for the Tri-County News, I had many opportunities to interview and write about soldiers. The concept of war still really hurts my inner being. I don't know why people fight and cannot rationalize the loss of human life, no matter what the cause. I truly believe that we have all been created with unique and beautiful characteristics and I think our society is better when we share our talents with others. Losing any person only hurts us collectively. Therefore, I am driven to work on international peacebuilding. I never expected this opportunity to be handed to me in this way (another long story), but I feel very blessed for the experience!
The specifics:
My internship will be with the Geneva Center for Security Policy http://www.gcsp.ch/ on international peacebuilding. Specifically, I will be working on the New Issues in Security Course at the beginning of the summer. This will analyze the countries of the world and evaluate anything that could cause instability in a region-HIV/AIDS, poverty, oil- and discuss how to combat it. The program will also delve into topics like proliferation and terrorism. Mid-summer, I will take a one-week course on international human rights as a requirement for the internship program. Upon return to GCSP, I will assist my supervisor towards organizing the short peacebuilding course. This is intended for soldiers that have been assigned United Nations peacekeeping missions throughout the world. At the conclusion, in September, I get to attend the peacebuilding course and participate in training exercises, like driving a tank! How cool!
In addition to my work, I also plan to have tons of fun this summer by traveling Europe to see all of the sites! Many of you have given me great suggestions of what to see and do. I hope to get some, if not most or all, of these into my summer.
Please feel free to visit my blog and catch up on the latest Geneva adventures!
Finally, before I go, I know that I owe many thanks. This experience literally wouldn't be possible without all of your help, support and encouragement. A special thanks to:
- Pastor Sue for helping me to see this was in God's plan and for arranging me with my host family! I can't wait to meet the Bachs! You are SO great! :)
- Laura (Whitmore) Bjerk for showing me how to set up the blog and working with me on mediation.
- Rick Nelson for encouraging me to take this risk!
- My core team friends for always being there with support--you guys are great!
- My family- don't worry Dad, I won't die driving a tank.
- Elise and James-the backpack shopping, dinners and "soldier training."
- Abby, Jen, Kyle and others for the European traveling tips!
- And, of course, my friends, classmates, and co-workers--you all know who you are.
Ready, set, Geneva!
