March 2009
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Youth Confront Underlying Causes of Conflict
By Karla Alvarez
The Youth Town Meetings*, as these annual events are called, are hosted by the IPJ's WorldLink Program. WorldLink is a year-round education program that provides the chance for students to explore and articulate their points of view on historical, contemporary and emerging global issues. In WorldLink, participating youth evaluate and question ideas, add their often overlooked voices to public discourse, and help generate solutions to a range of crucial international topics.
There are numerous youth educational programs across the country, but few, if any, connect youth so immediately and intimately with recognized leaders on local, national and international levels. WorldLink speakers have included U.N. officials, U.S. government representatives, human rights advocates, recognized academic leaders, and many others. The program is also unique in that it brings students from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border together.
Students play an integral role in the development of the program. High school interns gain valuable leadership skills and are involved in every aspect of the conference, from selecting speakers to moderating briefing sessions and delivering speeches. The annual theme is also selected by student delegates, which have included issues like human trafficking, terrorism and global warming.
This year, students heard from a variety of speakers, including a panel of resettled refugee youths who shared their stories of finding hope through adversity; analyzed gender roles through an interactive briefing session; questioned whether religion was part of the problem or solution to global conflict; and discussed the importance of the road to forgiveness, among many other sessions.
Students attend this and other WorldLink events at no cost, allowing diverse youth from different schools and economic means to participate. The Youth Town Meeting is completely free, including meals and materials, and each speaker willingly volunteers his or her time to invest in San Diego's young people and prepare them to transform the future. WorldLink depends on gifts and grants from a variety of concerned citizens and charitable foundations to cover the annual budget of $80,000. WorldLink, like many nonprofit programs, is preparing for a difficult fundraising year but is working to continue adding to the 7,000 alumni that have participated over the past 12 years.
WorldLink students prove that young people care deeply about and are not intimidated by complex international issues. Once these emerging leaders are given a platform to collaborate and participate in discussions regarding their future, they are inspired to become global citizens and begin generating solutions to global challenges. As one student delegate reflected at the end of the 12th Annual Youth Town Meeting, "with my fellow youth we learn together and grow together and ultimately we take action together."
*Due to limited space, WorldLink events are open to students and teachers only. If you would like to support WorldLink's efforts to inspire youth to learn about and take action on global issues, please visit: http://peace.sandiego.edu/programs/worldlink.html.
Karla Alvarez is a Program Officer for the WorldLink Program and a Voices of Women Board Director.
Sitting at the Feet of Wisdom:
An evening with Wahu Kaara
At some point in the journey called life, most individuals desire to sit at the feet of wisdom and learn the "secrets" of successful living. We seek answers to questions that humanity has grappled with for its entire existence. History has afforded us many seekers - wise teachers, prophets, gurus, shamans and others that have spent their lives seeking to understand humanity's place in the universe - her purpose, his destiny. Christ, Buddha, MLK, Jr., Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Madame Curry, Marianne Williamson, Vernon Howard, all among the thousands seeking understanding, love and peace desiring to leave the world a better place than they found it.
On December 4, 2008, in the home of Jenni Prisk, Founder and President of VOW, a small group of VOW members and supporters all peacemakers in their own right, added a new name to their list of sophists. Wahu Kaara, is hailed a Global Social Justice Activist, from Kenya. She ran for parliament in Kenya in 2002 and 2007 and was a delegate to the country's Constitutional Conference. A 2005 Nobel peace prize nominee, she has since continued to fight for human rights a fight that has seen her attend and address various forums abroad including the G8 summit in Scotland where she pushed for the fulfillment of a campaign to eliminate extreme poverty.
It was an unusual evening of sharing; unusual in that she gave much more than her "celebrity" status dictated. It was clear that her cultural orientation was one of valuing the people versus the time, valuing the giving rather than the receiving. She shared with us her vision of becoming the first female President of the Kenya. She talked of her grassroots efforts to gain the confidence of the people one discussion at a time. She spoke of the strength and the courage of women, long denied the voice and position of power to heal the world. In an article entitled "Wahu Kaara and the Politics of Social Justice", from the Gender and Governance Programme in Kenya website she states, "I have always commanded power without authority, being in authority does not mean having the power thereof. She also reveals that she is a born leader who has commanded power without authority on more than one occasion." The article goes on to talk about the sheroes in her life. "My mother treated me with understanding, confidence, accountability and responsibility, virtues that have made me who I am". Her grandmother on the other hand assured her that within the social setup all people are equal and have the capacity to contribute equally.
One of the most thought-provoking comments came when President, Jenni Prisk asked her how she saw western women, in particular European-American women and their place in society. "Are we doing enough?" Wahu Kaara's response was insightful and thought provoking. Paraphrasing, she expressed that what western women may not understand is that they too are confined by the pervasive power of the white- male patriarchy. They often see themselves as having made gains that are not real in the illusion of a few moving forward and as long as their "sisters" remain enslaved to sexism, racism, unequal pay and the like, they too are enslaved. There was silence as the group embraced her message and its wisdom. As an African-American, I could relate because of the feeling I often have (as I travel from one philanthropic group to another) that the illusion of "sisterhood" is reserved for some and not open to others as we disguise ourselves with good deeds that absolve us from true soul-searching and genuine inclusion. It was an incredible evening of sharing crossing the boundaries of age, ethnicity, class and personal perspectives. We all made a personal vow to support Wahu in her efforts to seek yet another nomination for President of Kenya as well as her continued global efforts to alleviate poverty for women and children. The Voices of Women were enlightened, strengthened, empowered and humbled as we set at the feet of wisdom, love and courage. As we persist in our efforts to make room for other realities, we continue to invite you to join your voice with ours! Thank-you Wahu Kaara!
Interview with Anne Rast
When you meet Anne Rast, it's like having the sun come out. She radiates energy and passion for people and the planet. We are very fortunate to have her as a VOW board member, and Vice President of the organization.
Anne was born in Lafayette Indiana. At the time, her father was attending Purdue University after World War II on the GI Bill. Because of her father's military career, Anne lived in many places in the US and also spent four years living in Italy. "I think I went to 16 different elementary schools, " she said, "they ranged from a private school in Davos, Switzerland to a Catholic Convent in Naples, Italy."
This constant traveling helped Anne to adapt to new situations. "When you are a new kid in school, the wild kids recruit you to join them. You have to learn to judge character and integrity at a very young age, otherwise you can get into a lot of trouble."
When Anne finally reached San Diego, she attended San Diego State University. "As soon as I arrived here, I fell in love with the palm trees and the casual lifestyle. After all that traveling I never wanted to leave."
Anne majored in Political Science and while she was studying, she met her wonderful husband, Bobby. They married in 1969, and Bobby was drafted two months later. "After his basic training, I followed him to San Antonio, Texas and Washington DC. I loved DC because of the activists there. They were at the Capitol all the time rallying against the (Vietnam) war. That left a distinct impression on me. I hated that war and I cannot believe that history has repeated itself within two generations. Have we not learned anything?"
Anne and Bobby are retired from thirty years in Civil Service. They now love to get about and do all the fun stuff. They love the outdoors, swimming, biking and walking. And they give tirelessly to the community, locally and globally. As Anne says: "I am lucky, Bobby is always ready to help me."
Their 26 year old son, Christopher, attends San Jose State and is also studying Political Science. Anne comments: "Chris is more progressive than his Mom and Dad. We are very proud of him. He aspires to work in Asia for a service non-profit organization."
Anne has been involved in the peace movement since she attended her first peace march in 1969 on Broadway in front of Horton Plaza. "I wanted to pursue peace, justice and the environment. I was attracted to the San Diego Mediation Center as I have several friends who worked there. I volunteer as a small claims mediator and participated in community mediations. I am actively involved in the Peacemakers Annual Award Dinner. In addition I love being a part of Voices of Women. I just surround myself with the greatest people. People who seek peace are the nicest people in the world."
"In addition, I am on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Wetlands Interpretative Association, an organization dedicated to educating about and protection wetlands. I am also on the Board of Directors of the Uptown Partnership dedicated to promote livability in Hillcrest and the surrounding neighborhoods."
"Every time Bobby and I travel we develop empathy for the people we meet. Now when we read or hear news from the places we visited, we take in the news very personally. And we find that people who seek peace are the nicest people in the world."
Anne Rast seeks peace and we can confirm that she is one of the nicest people we know.
Baby Beanie Workshop
Voices of Women held our first baby beanie workshop on February 28, 2009. We would like to thank the following VOW supporters for participating in the event; Pat Armstrong, Pat Launer, Connie LeFevre, Mary Anne Paul, Jeanette Rigopoulous, Seema Sueko, Nancy Witt, Raquel Arostegui, Judy Carol, Jane Howell, Marie Hutchison, Joan Keetch, Marjorie Jackson, Ellen Jacob, Dian Jones, Peggy Hetherington and Karla Cisneros. VOW Board Director Carol Clarke taught the participants how to use the looms to knit the baby beanies, with assistance from Board Directors Pamela Perkins and Anne Rast and supporters Edith Fine, Hillary Crain and Ginny Vanderway.
When VOW planned this event, it was with the desire to thank our supporters with an event that contributed to an inspirational and worthy cause. The two-hour workshop achieved so much more. The women shared conversation, stories and a closeness that comes from a circle dedicated to helping others. Each supporter bought the knitting supplies for only $10.00, and through Carol's excellent teaching skills, more than half of the participants completed their first baby beanie at the workshop.
VOW will repeat the baby beanie workshop and will also continue to organize events throughout the year for our supporters, whose dedication and commitment help VOW to continue with our mission.
Thank you for your continuing support of Voices of Women. We appreciate you! We will always welcome ideas or articles for our newsletter.
Sincerely,
Voices of Women
