Peace Ambassador Training Week 9

In systems theory we learn about nonlinear dynamics: under certain conditions small inputs can have a large impact, this is sometimes referred to as the butterfly effect. What is your short list of small strategic initiatives that could have broad impact in peace work….share your list. 

Living and volunteering on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from 2002-2005 taught me about land, rights and value.  The landscape is so vast in South Dakota, you can see for miles, and sunsets are majestic.  How can you put a price on a hill, on someone else’s hill? Rights are relative in hegemonic societies.  I’ve redefined what value and worth mean to me, defined now by spiritual wholeness and connection. My philosophy of life is to live simply and to love abundantly. My short list of strategic initiatives are centered on equality and the understanding that no one is less than.  I’m keenly aware of the amount of impact US consumerism has on our planet and I’d prefer not to ‘have’ if its going to be at the expense of another person’s well-being, integrity or humanity. 

Here’s a more concrete list to compliment my previous abstraction:

• Compost
• Garden
• Bike ride
• Buy used/recycled
• Host/attend clothing swaps
• Engaged in local, state and federal legislative initiatives
• Support local food network
• Mentor children – work founded in respect, courage, wisdom
• Pray

David Korten emphasizes equity as a key bridge to peace and sustainability. How can you participate in building this bridge ……from fair trade food, more conscious diet, local cooperatives/ local farm produce, shared resources etc?

I completely agree with Mr. Korten, equity is the key. Peace and sustainability has to include strong commitments to the equitable distribution of key resources. At every turning point in history, the tipping point is centered on the demand of key resources. With global populations swelling, water, power, and fuel are on high demand.  Understanding water and energy policies is a cumbersome workload. However, since water is so critical to life and power has become so fundamental to our lives, it is becoming ever more important to be educated consumers of these vital resources.  The goal should be for the public to be able to control the decision making process for infrastructure and distribution issues.