Imagine ! …
…if we could apply in Europe and North America initiatives such as those described from Africa such as the contributions of Nelson Mandela, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, the Gacaca in Rwanda, etc….
Imagine ! …
…that networks of mass media, radio and television, devoted to the culture of peace, like those described this month from Africa would be made available to everyone on a daily basis at a grassroots level…
Imagine ! …
…that governments and the CEOs of the tourism industry, including hotels, airlines and tourist agencies would develop tourism based on people-to-people understanding and sustainable development…
Imagine ! …
…that our educational systems would make it a priority to develop and use manuals for culture of peace and human rights written in such a way to speak directly to local communities, and that these were developed as a network that unified the peoples across national boundaries….
Imagine ! …
…that UNESCO or the UN could develop international networks of youth, women and research institutions for a culture of peace like those being developed in Africa…
Imagine ! …
…that elections were not a contest of winner-take-all power, but rather an opportunity for the people to be listened to and their demands translated into governmental decisions based on the collaboration of all political parties and candidates…
Imagine ! …
…that the forces of the culture of war would accept these advances, knowing that in the end it could lead to a transition from the culture of war to a culture of peace….
Thank you, Africa, for showing us where we need to go.