Read and comment on this op-ed piece from The Charlotte Observer on Ten things anyone can do for world peace. We are not helpless. We do not have to condemn our future to one of cross-cultural violence. Following are 10 things anyone can do for the cause of world peace. Each by itself may seem small, but many drops of water make an ocean. A couple of Peace Corps volunteers in a remote village in Peru once befriended a local village boy and helped him earn money for college. That education helped the boy later become the president of Peru. Read the story at:
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10 things anyone can do for world peace
Each act may seem small but, multiplied, can make a difference
JENNIFER WATSON ROBERTS
Special to The Observer
This fall, religious groups across the country have held seminars about cultural and spiritual conflict. Many of us are searching for answers to the same question: how to avoid the seemingly inevitable, violent clash of civilizations.
At one recent seminar I heard several people express frustration at feeling helpless in the great scheme of international relations and foreign policy.
We are not helpless. We do not have to condemn our future to one of cross-cultural violence. Following are 10 things anyone can do for the cause of world peace. Each by itself may seem small, but many drops of water make an ocean. A couple of Peace Corps volunteers in a remote village in Peru once befriended a local village boy and helped him earn money for college. That education helped the boy later become the president of Peru.
1. Confront your own cultural prejudices. In Charlotte every day we see people who look different from us. Strike up a conversation with someone different, invite him to lunch, ask about his culture. The more we learn about other ethnic and religious groups, the more we will understand our commonalities. We don't need to give up our own beliefs to learn to stop distrusting people just because they are different.
2. Help alleviate world hunger. You can do this through relief agencies at home or abroad, by donating time or money. My favorite international hunger relief agency is the Heifer Project, which buys livestock for families in developing countries so they can have milk, wool, eggs and other sources of income and food.
3. Volunteer at a local school to help someone learn to read. If you work with a student who does not speak English, you can help her integrate into our society so that she can be productive and successful here. You will also learn more about her culture in return.
4. Give money to a global literacy program. Studies have shown that the greatest correlation exists between improved standards of living and health and improved education, especially of women. Higher education levels also help countries control population growth. My favorite educational organization is one that started in Durham (now based in Washington) called Shakti, part of the Global Fund for Children, which sponsors children's literacy programs all over the world.
5. Invite a foreign student to dinner. There are thousands of foreign students in Charlotte. You can call any university and ask how to get involved with them. You may meet a future leader of a foreign country and make a lasting impression -- or even a friend.
6. Conserve energy. Oil continues to be a source of conflict, and it has exacerbated the violence in the Middle East. The United States has only 5 percent of the world's population but represents 25 percent of the world's energy consumption. Next time you are looking for a new car, consider a hybrid (part battery-, part gasoline-powered). Try carpooling or taking the bus. At current consumption rates, the world oil supply will run out in 40 years.
7. Stay informed. One of the best ways to combat cultural ignorance is to start at home. Read both U.S. and foreign perspectives on issues. Many online news sources are free, and some will e-mail you stories pertaining to specific countries you are interested in. My favorite international news sources include the BBC, the Christian Science Monitor, the Economist and The New York Times. You can also attend programs run by various local organizations and colleges that feature international experts.
8. Write a letter to the editor or to your member of Congress. If we are supposed to be the beacon of democracy for the world, we need to use the system as it was meant to be used. If you feel strongly about an issue, you should let your representative know about it. You may fear that your letter will never be seen, but most representatives have staff who try to answer every letter. The weight of countless letters with the same concern is certainly felt.
9. Search the World Wide Web for causes you believe in. Never underestimate the power of the Internet. Jody Williams won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for her work on banning land mines, with a campaign run largely through the Internet. Start petitions, sign them and visit Web sites about issues that concern you.
10. Vote. Take the time to learn about candidates and their positions. If you attend rallies, let candidates know what you care about. If foreign policy or cultural tolerance is important, let that influence your vote.
May this holiday season bring us one step closer to peace on Earth.
Jennifer Watson Roberts
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