Javier Bustamante Enriquez
Social Psychologist
“Long live Mexico!” is the final exclamation uttered by many public figures every year on September 15th, from town councillors in local squares, all the way to el Zocalo (the main square) in Mexico City. This is also true of Dolores Hidalgo City in the middle of the country, where the armed independence uprising began in 1810.
“Long live Mexico” is preceded by a number of “Long live…..”s, which are accompanied by the names of the main leaders of independence, starting with “Long live the heroes who gave us our nation and our freedom”. The ritual ceremony is accompanied by bells, in memory of the bells that tolled in the time of priest Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. The flag is raised by the president or regional head of government and is met by cheers given by the gathered public.
This year independence celebrations took on a special meaning as this is the 200 year anniversary. In reality independence was not achieved until 1821, which is exactly 300 years after the conquest of Mexico in 1521 under the leadership of Hernán Cortés.
The issue of independentism stirs up many thoughts. Many, often opposing, revisions of Mexican history, society, demography, culture and art are being made. This leads to the conclusion that the independent movement is still very much alive, as suggested by the exclamation “long live….”, which was initiated in 1810 and is still echoing around today.
Many communities around the world, if not all, have conquered or been conquered by other communities. Civilian independent or revolutionary movements have arisen in opposition to internal regimes and they continue to do so today. Borders are moved, new walls are built, old ones knocked down. Another feature of this global panorama is the human traffic that creates ever-increasing inter-cultural mix within these countries. Far from making frontiers more permeable, these migratory movements make these borders hard and watertight. No one person is responsible and yet it is everyone’s problem. The world is changing very fast and social, judicial and cultural structures quickly become outdated, broken and incapable of responding to the realities they were created for.
A look back at the past can help us plant our feet firmly in the present. The celebration of a heroic act such as the Independence of Mexico is a beautiful and dignified thing. It makes us Mexicans feel grateful to all those who gave their lives and went hungry and cold, lost everything they had- if they had anything to lose, to dream and wish for a better present and future. Basic mistakes were surely made along the way. Clearly not everyone had good intentions. Some things could definitely have been done better… but are better things being done now?
We look into the mirror of the past. An obsidian mirror. A golden mirror. A glass mirror. A mirror made of water. A mirror made of flesh and blood. We can see that the past is the past and it happened the way it happened. And as a result of it happening, we are now here today. We are here passing through, and so we try to do the best we can for our present. We take a look at what we are doing, how we are doing it, what we want for ourselves and for our children, those who constitute Mexico right now. Despite all the problems that plague our society and our country- that the national and international press report, albeit in an often distorted way- in spite of all this, Mexico is alive.
Now more than ever the majority of Mexicans want peace. Peace in our towns and villages, so we can move about peacefully, so we know that our children live in a safe environment, so that we can work and invest in a prosperous life. Peace in our minds and our relationships. Peace and trust in people who make and control decisions.
Peace in society can easily be destroyed, and it only takes a matter of seconds. It takes a long time to build peace however and it is a daily job that cannot be neglected for one moment. Let us hope that a celebration such as the bicentenary of Independence moves our spirits to value the peace that we have, in all its strength and fragility and leads us to search for new paths and structures that will help create more solid foundations for this invaluable good.
jueves, 28 de octubre de 2010
Bright fabric
Leticia Soberón.
Doctor in Social Sciences.
Celebrations held to mark the bicentenary of Mexico’s independence and the centenary of the Mexican Revolution have once again revealed historical events, some laden with glory and others terrible cruelty, which led to our existence. We must know our past in order to better define our identity. And it is clear that a whole host of different parties, not just national heroes, fought to defend their concept of justice and freedom, the highest social ideal or to protect their privileges.
We stand face to face with history. What use is it to us now? Do we not find ourselves confronted with challenges of equal or greater measure to those of the past? Strictly speaking it is impossible to change the past. History and its events have already taken place and no one can modify them. Time tunnels pertaining to science fiction novels are yet to be invented, and one of the keys to being healthy is accepting all the events that led to our existence in the understanding that we are a product of many events, some light, some grey and some which are frankly dark, and, had these events been at all different we would not have existed. The first step to being able to act in the present without resentments and therefore improve our lives is to reconcile ourselves with history.
However, paradoxically, there is, to some extent, a way to transform events that remain unchangeable because they belong to the past. How can this be done? By choosing which historical processes we allow to continue. Let us look at how. Almost unintentionally we choose a way of being, living. We adhere to a way of thinking- sometimes without realising we are doing it, choose a style of living within society and a way of creating the present. Thus we breathe new life into actions that took place and would otherwise remain dead and gone. If we reread things that were done by others, we will discover how our own actions belong to a school of life, albeit with ones own particular, original style. Some will surely be more or less creative but in some way all people bring certain processes into the present that would otherwise be committed to museums and archaeology. In this way the fabric of history is woven with all sorts of threads, some colourful, some dark and some very bright.
Let us give some examples. In our everyday lives we can support war, conflict, the battle for power, domination, inequality. If we choose to- although as I already said, many do this as a result of a lack of awareness, or inertia- we can take on and promote social, economic and cultural differences. This serves to keep the unending cycle of violence that is perpetuated by history alive. And yet, this doesn’t happen because it is our destiny, it happens because in each generation a group of accomplices help to carry on this history marked by blood and tears.
Perhaps the majority of people wish to follow a more conventional path, an undisrupted serene working life where the main focus is stability. But in every day life it is impossible to remain neutral: the way in which an individual weaves life, interacts, or fails to interact with neighbours, thinks or doesn’t think, joins in with or ignores the people around them or educates their children will perpetuate social, economic or interpersonal processes that can support development and justice or inertia, indifference and detachment. Without being extraordinary or especially gifted people can also support artistic, creative, leisure or craft activities, thus sustaining them and stopping them from becoming antiquated. In this we are able to project local history into a peaceful future, a fertile and diverse kind of peace that overflows with celebration and manifests in towns, neighbourhoods, cities or countries.
Furthermore, it is both beautiful and possible to transform the past into the present and the future, hence perpetuating these “bright threads” that traverse human history, these excellent processes that provide support and sense to millions of people. We can benefit from witnessing constructive and fruitful ways of living and we can give our energy to help these prosper. We can take on and modernize the great objectives that were upheld by so many national heroes, but now in the context of non-violence, the quest for peace, the defence of human rights and personal and public dignity; the history of democracy, freedom of expression, the defence of marginalised people and promotion of people’s autonomy and development. All this bring together the efforts of the great men and women of history, who weaved their days and hours with threads made of light.
What distinguishes these threads from other threads configuring the nation’s future? They are initiated and continued by people who are prepared to die for their cause, but prevent others from dying, people who carry out their job as a sacrifice so that others may live, so that their friends do not have to die. There are so many examples of this!
The bicentenary is an opportunity to keep weaving Mexico’s history with bright threads. Without violence, but with decisiveness and flare. With passionate generosity. It is a way of transforming not just the present, but also the past: it ceases to be archaic, it becomes current and is thrown into the future.
Doctor in Social Sciences.
Celebrations held to mark the bicentenary of Mexico’s independence and the centenary of the Mexican Revolution have once again revealed historical events, some laden with glory and others terrible cruelty, which led to our existence. We must know our past in order to better define our identity. And it is clear that a whole host of different parties, not just national heroes, fought to defend their concept of justice and freedom, the highest social ideal or to protect their privileges.
We stand face to face with history. What use is it to us now? Do we not find ourselves confronted with challenges of equal or greater measure to those of the past? Strictly speaking it is impossible to change the past. History and its events have already taken place and no one can modify them. Time tunnels pertaining to science fiction novels are yet to be invented, and one of the keys to being healthy is accepting all the events that led to our existence in the understanding that we are a product of many events, some light, some grey and some which are frankly dark, and, had these events been at all different we would not have existed. The first step to being able to act in the present without resentments and therefore improve our lives is to reconcile ourselves with history.
However, paradoxically, there is, to some extent, a way to transform events that remain unchangeable because they belong to the past. How can this be done? By choosing which historical processes we allow to continue. Let us look at how. Almost unintentionally we choose a way of being, living. We adhere to a way of thinking- sometimes without realising we are doing it, choose a style of living within society and a way of creating the present. Thus we breathe new life into actions that took place and would otherwise remain dead and gone. If we reread things that were done by others, we will discover how our own actions belong to a school of life, albeit with ones own particular, original style. Some will surely be more or less creative but in some way all people bring certain processes into the present that would otherwise be committed to museums and archaeology. In this way the fabric of history is woven with all sorts of threads, some colourful, some dark and some very bright.
Let us give some examples. In our everyday lives we can support war, conflict, the battle for power, domination, inequality. If we choose to- although as I already said, many do this as a result of a lack of awareness, or inertia- we can take on and promote social, economic and cultural differences. This serves to keep the unending cycle of violence that is perpetuated by history alive. And yet, this doesn’t happen because it is our destiny, it happens because in each generation a group of accomplices help to carry on this history marked by blood and tears.
Perhaps the majority of people wish to follow a more conventional path, an undisrupted serene working life where the main focus is stability. But in every day life it is impossible to remain neutral: the way in which an individual weaves life, interacts, or fails to interact with neighbours, thinks or doesn’t think, joins in with or ignores the people around them or educates their children will perpetuate social, economic or interpersonal processes that can support development and justice or inertia, indifference and detachment. Without being extraordinary or especially gifted people can also support artistic, creative, leisure or craft activities, thus sustaining them and stopping them from becoming antiquated. In this we are able to project local history into a peaceful future, a fertile and diverse kind of peace that overflows with celebration and manifests in towns, neighbourhoods, cities or countries.
Furthermore, it is both beautiful and possible to transform the past into the present and the future, hence perpetuating these “bright threads” that traverse human history, these excellent processes that provide support and sense to millions of people. We can benefit from witnessing constructive and fruitful ways of living and we can give our energy to help these prosper. We can take on and modernize the great objectives that were upheld by so many national heroes, but now in the context of non-violence, the quest for peace, the defence of human rights and personal and public dignity; the history of democracy, freedom of expression, the defence of marginalised people and promotion of people’s autonomy and development. All this bring together the efforts of the great men and women of history, who weaved their days and hours with threads made of light.
What distinguishes these threads from other threads configuring the nation’s future? They are initiated and continued by people who are prepared to die for their cause, but prevent others from dying, people who carry out their job as a sacrifice so that others may live, so that their friends do not have to die. There are so many examples of this!
The bicentenary is an opportunity to keep weaving Mexico’s history with bright threads. Without violence, but with decisiveness and flare. With passionate generosity. It is a way of transforming not just the present, but also the past: it ceases to be archaic, it becomes current and is thrown into the future.
miércoles, 29 de septiembre de 2010
200 years on the road to the peace
Cristian Muñoz. Philosopher.
Punta Arenas. Chile.
Miguel de Cervantes School, based in Punto Arenas, Chile, is about to celebrate its 25th birthday. All those who have been involved in its evolution understand that life is a set of strengths and weaknesses, achievements and mistakes, that, when put together, allow us to see the point of all the personal sacrifice that has to be made in order to make dreams into reality. Anyone who has formed part of a family, maintained friendships, created a group, supported a community, etc. will have experienced this, because they know that in the end, they feel a sense of spiritual wellbeing when they look back at their life, despite all the negative situations they have had to deal with along the way.
The Bicentenary is thus a happy day for the Cervantians, because it represents a diverse community that has been working towards the dream of forming a nation with more solidarity and brotherhood for 200 years. Overall the achievements outweigh the limitations on this pilgrimage.
As Chileans we cannot underestimate the importance of having a neighbour with which we share one of the longest stretches of binational territory (more than five thousand kilometres). Argentina and Chile are a universal example of the right way to solve border problems, given that in 200 years we have not resorted to war in order to resolve our border conflicts. Geographical location and historical context has meant that our school has had to live through the difficult situation of the Beagle Channel border conflict. This encouraged our educational institution to carry out actions to promote peace.
One of the actions we have carried out to promote peace that we would like to mention is a mural that incorporated phrases such as: “Chile and Argentina, two countries brought together by peace¨; “200 years on the road to peace”, etc.
This year the intention of our motto “Respect creation to create peace” is to invite people to take a look at the sustainability of our development as a republic over the last 200 years. Nations should generate debates on ecology and the environment and their connection to peace. Chile attempted to do this at the last science fair in the context of the debate on bio combustibles, however more still needs to be done.
Today education has a duty to promote, reflect and act on peace right across the curriculum. It must generate learning experiences in all the subjects and issues. Our school committed itself to this task in 2008 when it affiliated itself to the Letter of Peace and over time this commitment has been consolidated. For this reason our 200th birthday present to our country must be to be constantly concerned about peace.
Punta Arenas. Chile.
Miguel de Cervantes School, based in Punto Arenas, Chile, is about to celebrate its 25th birthday. All those who have been involved in its evolution understand that life is a set of strengths and weaknesses, achievements and mistakes, that, when put together, allow us to see the point of all the personal sacrifice that has to be made in order to make dreams into reality. Anyone who has formed part of a family, maintained friendships, created a group, supported a community, etc. will have experienced this, because they know that in the end, they feel a sense of spiritual wellbeing when they look back at their life, despite all the negative situations they have had to deal with along the way.
The Bicentenary is thus a happy day for the Cervantians, because it represents a diverse community that has been working towards the dream of forming a nation with more solidarity and brotherhood for 200 years. Overall the achievements outweigh the limitations on this pilgrimage.
As Chileans we cannot underestimate the importance of having a neighbour with which we share one of the longest stretches of binational territory (more than five thousand kilometres). Argentina and Chile are a universal example of the right way to solve border problems, given that in 200 years we have not resorted to war in order to resolve our border conflicts. Geographical location and historical context has meant that our school has had to live through the difficult situation of the Beagle Channel border conflict. This encouraged our educational institution to carry out actions to promote peace.
One of the actions we have carried out to promote peace that we would like to mention is a mural that incorporated phrases such as: “Chile and Argentina, two countries brought together by peace¨; “200 years on the road to peace”, etc.
This year the intention of our motto “Respect creation to create peace” is to invite people to take a look at the sustainability of our development as a republic over the last 200 years. Nations should generate debates on ecology and the environment and their connection to peace. Chile attempted to do this at the last science fair in the context of the debate on bio combustibles, however more still needs to be done.
Today education has a duty to promote, reflect and act on peace right across the curriculum. It must generate learning experiences in all the subjects and issues. Our school committed itself to this task in 2008 when it affiliated itself to the Letter of Peace and over time this commitment has been consolidated. For this reason our 200th birthday present to our country must be to be constantly concerned about peace.
The long and winding road to peace
Erich Mellado and Elisabet Juanola.
Santiago de Chile.
This year a number of Latin American nations have celebrated the 200-year anniversary since independence, Chile is amongst them. The idea of celebrating and the desire to look back on what has happened in these two centuries has inspired many of these countries to prepare an offering for the anniversary. The results are in the hands of historians, politicians and all those who imagine a different country. This national celebration also provides an opportunity to look at how peace has been built, the hopes for peace and what is yet to be done in order for this culture to permeate more deeply in to society.
Evaluating the history of peace in Chile over the past 200 years is a big challenge; as opposed to the clear line drawn by chronology, the road to peace, is more of a winding track, in some places it is barely visible and in others the track disappears all together only to reappear some time later. In Chile peace has not been continual or enduring. There have been many wars, disputes, and examples of the strong imposing their will on the weak.
But if you take a close look you can catch glimpses of peace, that perhaps go unexplored in history books, which tend to recount exploits, triumphs or defeats. Over the last 200 years the road to peace has gained visibility in Chile in a number of ways. At every cultural crossroads an undeniable wealth is built. Although not exempt from pain and death, the meeting of indigenous and foreign people has woven a rich amalgam that can be seen from North to South, all along the 4300km length of the country. For many years after colonial supremacy people were despised for having autochthonous blood. Today the contribution made by Kunzas, Onas, Changos, ,Atacameños, Diaguitas, Kawéskar, Coyas, Aymaras, Araucanos, German, Swiss, Croat and Spanish people adds up and grows and aims to celebrate the unique aspects of each culture. And each and every one of these groups leaves their own unique imprint.
The road to peace became apparent in Chile’s history when agreements were made between political adversaries and laws of integration were passed: such as women’s participation in democratic life in 1952, the agrarian reform that allowed land to be distributed and led to the incorporation of rural workers into the country’s political and cultural life. Literacy rates improved, as did other parameters that help distinguish Chile as having the best rate of human development in Latin America.
Two Nobel Peace Prizes made peace shine out even more in Chile. The prizes were awarded to Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, and served to acknowledge the importance of poetry, which spreads a sense of hope and helps people see the deep spirit of peace that exists in this land.
Whilst some insist on pointing out that Chile is the product of wars, conquests and battles, peace culture weighs things up differently. The power of reconciliation, civil friendship, dialogue and the need to agree in order to go forwards, which are all long processes in a state of work in progress. Chile, the land of brothers and sisters, a place for everyone at the table, these mottos have been used in reference to this country in order to add to a sense of unity. Today in Chile people find forgiveness very painful, possibly because in order to forgive we must believe in the process whereas throughout history we have been taught to focus on the significant dates that signal triumphs and defeats. Today more than ever we must listen to others and recognise the space that they are in.
Santiago de Chile.
This year a number of Latin American nations have celebrated the 200-year anniversary since independence, Chile is amongst them. The idea of celebrating and the desire to look back on what has happened in these two centuries has inspired many of these countries to prepare an offering for the anniversary. The results are in the hands of historians, politicians and all those who imagine a different country. This national celebration also provides an opportunity to look at how peace has been built, the hopes for peace and what is yet to be done in order for this culture to permeate more deeply in to society.
Evaluating the history of peace in Chile over the past 200 years is a big challenge; as opposed to the clear line drawn by chronology, the road to peace, is more of a winding track, in some places it is barely visible and in others the track disappears all together only to reappear some time later. In Chile peace has not been continual or enduring. There have been many wars, disputes, and examples of the strong imposing their will on the weak.
But if you take a close look you can catch glimpses of peace, that perhaps go unexplored in history books, which tend to recount exploits, triumphs or defeats. Over the last 200 years the road to peace has gained visibility in Chile in a number of ways. At every cultural crossroads an undeniable wealth is built. Although not exempt from pain and death, the meeting of indigenous and foreign people has woven a rich amalgam that can be seen from North to South, all along the 4300km length of the country. For many years after colonial supremacy people were despised for having autochthonous blood. Today the contribution made by Kunzas, Onas, Changos, ,Atacameños, Diaguitas, Kawéskar, Coyas, Aymaras, Araucanos, German, Swiss, Croat and Spanish people adds up and grows and aims to celebrate the unique aspects of each culture. And each and every one of these groups leaves their own unique imprint.
The road to peace became apparent in Chile’s history when agreements were made between political adversaries and laws of integration were passed: such as women’s participation in democratic life in 1952, the agrarian reform that allowed land to be distributed and led to the incorporation of rural workers into the country’s political and cultural life. Literacy rates improved, as did other parameters that help distinguish Chile as having the best rate of human development in Latin America.
Two Nobel Peace Prizes made peace shine out even more in Chile. The prizes were awarded to Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, and served to acknowledge the importance of poetry, which spreads a sense of hope and helps people see the deep spirit of peace that exists in this land.
Whilst some insist on pointing out that Chile is the product of wars, conquests and battles, peace culture weighs things up differently. The power of reconciliation, civil friendship, dialogue and the need to agree in order to go forwards, which are all long processes in a state of work in progress. Chile, the land of brothers and sisters, a place for everyone at the table, these mottos have been used in reference to this country in order to add to a sense of unity. Today in Chile people find forgiveness very painful, possibly because in order to forgive we must believe in the process whereas throughout history we have been taught to focus on the significant dates that signal triumphs and defeats. Today more than ever we must listen to others and recognise the space that they are in.
martes, 28 de septiembre de 2010
200 years on the road to the peace
Cristian Muñoz. Filósofo.
Punta Arenas. Chile.
Miguel de Cervantes School, based in Punto Arenas, Chile, is about to celebrate its 25th birthday. All those who have been involved in its evolution understand that life is a set of strengths and weaknesses, achievements and mistakes, that, when put together, allow us to see the point of all the personal sacrifice that has to be made in order to make dreams into reality. Anyone who has formed part of a family, maintained friendships, created a group, supported a community, etc. will have experienced this, because they know that in the end, they feel a sense of spiritual wellbeing when they look back at their life, despite all the negative situations they have had to deal with along the way.
The Bicentenary is thus a happy day for the Cervantians, because it represents a diverse community that has been working towards the dream of forming a nation with more solidarity and brotherhood for 200 years. Overall the achievements outweigh the limitations on this pilgrimage.
As Chileans we cannot underestimate the importance of having a neighbour with which we share one of the longest stretches of binational territory (more than five thousand kilometres). Argentina and Chile are a universal example of the right way to solve border problems, given that in 200 years we have not resorted to war in order to resolve our border conflicts. Geographical location and historical context has meant that our school has had to live through the difficult situation of the Beagle Channel border conflict. This encouraged our educational institution to carry out actions to promote peace.
One of the actions we have carried out to promote peace that we would like to mention is a mural that incorporated phrases such as: “Chile and Argentina, two countries brought together by peace¨; “200 years on the road to peace”, etc.
This year the intention of our motto “Respect creation to create peace” is to invite people to take a look at the sustainability of our development as a republic over the last 200 years. Nations should generate debates on ecology and the environment and their connection to peace. Chile attempted to do this at the last science fair in the context of the debate on bio combustibles, however more still needs to be done.
Today education has a duty to promote, reflect and act on peace right across the curriculum. It must generate learning experiences in all the subjects and issues. Our school committed itself to this task in 2008 when it affiliated itself to the Letter of Peace and over time this commitment has been consolidated. For this reason our 200th birthday present to our country must be to be constantly concerned about peace.
Punta Arenas. Chile.
Miguel de Cervantes School, based in Punto Arenas, Chile, is about to celebrate its 25th birthday. All those who have been involved in its evolution understand that life is a set of strengths and weaknesses, achievements and mistakes, that, when put together, allow us to see the point of all the personal sacrifice that has to be made in order to make dreams into reality. Anyone who has formed part of a family, maintained friendships, created a group, supported a community, etc. will have experienced this, because they know that in the end, they feel a sense of spiritual wellbeing when they look back at their life, despite all the negative situations they have had to deal with along the way.
The Bicentenary is thus a happy day for the Cervantians, because it represents a diverse community that has been working towards the dream of forming a nation with more solidarity and brotherhood for 200 years. Overall the achievements outweigh the limitations on this pilgrimage.
As Chileans we cannot underestimate the importance of having a neighbour with which we share one of the longest stretches of binational territory (more than five thousand kilometres). Argentina and Chile are a universal example of the right way to solve border problems, given that in 200 years we have not resorted to war in order to resolve our border conflicts. Geographical location and historical context has meant that our school has had to live through the difficult situation of the Beagle Channel border conflict. This encouraged our educational institution to carry out actions to promote peace.
One of the actions we have carried out to promote peace that we would like to mention is a mural that incorporated phrases such as: “Chile and Argentina, two countries brought together by peace¨; “200 years on the road to peace”, etc.
This year the intention of our motto “Respect creation to create peace” is to invite people to take a look at the sustainability of our development as a republic over the last 200 years. Nations should generate debates on ecology and the environment and their connection to peace. Chile attempted to do this at the last science fair in the context of the debate on bio combustibles, however more still needs to be done.
Today education has a duty to promote, reflect and act on peace right across the curriculum. It must generate learning experiences in all the subjects and issues. Our school committed itself to this task in 2008 when it affiliated itself to the Letter of Peace and over time this commitment has been consolidated. For this reason our 200th birthday present to our country must be to be constantly concerned about peace.
The long and winding road to peace
Erich Mellado and Elisabet Juanola.
Santiago de Chile.
This year a number of Latin American nations have celebrated the 200-year anniversary since independence, Chile is amongst them. The idea of celebrating and the desire to look back on what has happened in these two centuries has inspired many of these countries to prepare an offering for the anniversary. The results are in the hands of historians, politicians and all those who imagine a different country. This national celebration also provides an opportunity to look at how peace has been built, the hopes for peace and what is yet to be done in order for this culture to permeate more deeply in to society.
Evaluating the history of peace in Chile over the past 200 years is a big challenge; as opposed to the clear line drawn by chronology, the road to peace, is more of a winding track, in some places it is barely visible and in others the track disappears all together only to reappear some time later. In Chile peace has not been continual or enduring. There have been many wars, disputes, and examples of the strong imposing their will on the weak.
But if you take a close look you can catch glimpses of peace, that perhaps go unexplored in history books, which tend to recount exploits, triumphs or defeats. Over the last 200 years the road to peace has gained visibility in Chile in a number of ways. At every cultural crossroads an undeniable wealth is built. Although not exempt from pain and death, the meeting of indigenous and foreign people has woven a rich amalgam that can be seen from North to South, all along the 4300km length of the country. For many years after colonial supremacy people were despised for having autochthonous blood. Today the contribution made by Kunzas, Onas, Changos, ,Atacameños, Diaguitas, Kawéskar, Coyas, Aymaras, Araucanos, German, Swiss, Croat and Spanish people adds up and grows and aims to celebrate the unique aspects of each culture. And each and every one of these groups leaves their own unique imprint.
The road to peace became apparent in Chile’s history when agreements were made between political adversaries and laws of integration were passed: such as women’s participation in democratic life in 1952, the agrarian reform that allowed land to be distributed and led to the incorporation of rural workers into the country’s political and cultural life. Literacy rates improved, as did other parameters that help distinguish Chile as having the best rate of human development in Latin America.
Two Nobel Peace Prizes made peace shine out even more in Chile. The prizes were awarded to Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, and served to acknowledge the importance of poetry, which spreads a sense of hope and helps people see the deep spirit of peace that exists in this land.
Whilst some insist on pointing out that Chile is the product of wars, conquests and battles, peace culture weighs things up differently. The power of reconciliation, civil friendship, dialogue and the need to agree in order to go forwards, which are all long processes in a state of work in progress. Chile, the land of brothers and sisters, a place for everyone at the table, these mottos have been used in reference to this country in order to add to a sense of unity. Today in Chile people find forgiveness very painful, possibly because in order to forgive we must believe in the process whereas throughout history we have been taught to focus on the significant dates that signal triumphs and defeats. Today more than ever we must listen to others and recognise the space that they are in.
Santiago de Chile.
Evaluating the history of peace in Chile over the past 200 years is a big challenge; as opposed to the clear line drawn by chronology, the road to peace, is more of a winding track, in some places it is barely visible and in others the track disappears all together only to reappear some time later. In Chile peace has not been continual or enduring. There have been many wars, disputes, and examples of the strong imposing their will on the weak.
But if you take a close look you can catch glimpses of peace, that perhaps go unexplored in history books, which tend to recount exploits, triumphs or defeats. Over the last 200 years the road to peace has gained visibility in Chile in a number of ways. At every cultural crossroads an undeniable wealth is built. Although not exempt from pain and death, the meeting of indigenous and foreign people has woven a rich amalgam that can be seen from North to South, all along the 4300km length of the country. For many years after colonial supremacy people were despised for having autochthonous blood. Today the contribution made by Kunzas, Onas, Changos, ,Atacameños, Diaguitas, Kawéskar, Coyas, Aymaras, Araucanos, German, Swiss, Croat and Spanish people adds up and grows and aims to celebrate the unique aspects of each culture. And each and every one of these groups leaves their own unique imprint.
The road to peace became apparent in Chile’s history when agreements were made between political adversaries and laws of integration were passed: such as women’s participation in democratic life in 1952, the agrarian reform that allowed land to be distributed and led to the incorporation of rural workers into the country’s political and cultural life. Literacy rates improved, as did other parameters that help distinguish Chile as having the best rate of human development in Latin America.
Two Nobel Peace Prizes made peace shine out even more in Chile. The prizes were awarded to Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, and served to acknowledge the importance of poetry, which spreads a sense of hope and helps people see the deep spirit of peace that exists in this land.
Whilst some insist on pointing out that Chile is the product of wars, conquests and battles, peace culture weighs things up differently. The power of reconciliation, civil friendship, dialogue and the need to agree in order to go forwards, which are all long processes in a state of work in progress. Chile, the land of brothers and sisters, a place for everyone at the table, these mottos have been used in reference to this country in order to add to a sense of unity. Today in Chile people find forgiveness very painful, possibly because in order to forgive we must believe in the process whereas throughout history we have been taught to focus on the significant dates that signal triumphs and defeats. Today more than ever we must listen to others and recognise the space that they are in.
viernes, 25 de junio de 2010
A celebration and… a party?
Alfredo Fernández. Journalist.
Letter of Peace addressed to the UN
In school they teach children that the Republic of Argentina made the first cry of freedom on 25th May 1810. On this day celebrations are held in schools, and children dress up in traditional clothes, paint their faces black to represent the black people who lived there in colonial times and they take fried pies and cakes to school and drink boiled mate.
They also dress the girls as upper class ladies who used to meet and embroider, weave and play the piano together, or as slave girls who cooked and washed clothes on the river bank.
Text
The 25th May is also a celebration of the fight for freedom. Many men gave their energy and their lives in the pursuit of emancipation. The decision to create the first national government was a demonstration of maturity that is manifest in numerous aspects of our lives, and whilst it implies freedom, it also means responsibility. The responsibility to defend the dream of an independent Argentina.
And yet there is still so much to be done in order to achieve it! Independence is not just a declaration; it is also the commitment to sustain it. Independence means being able to make decisions freely. But that is not so easily done today. Are we truly free to decide for ourselves? Are we tied to certain ideologies that stop us from acting freely?
May 25th is a day that invites us to reflect, to manifest patriotic ideals that are intimately linked to certain values that accompany us on a daily basis: freedom, sovereignty, equality. This freedom that is still so hard for us to see when almost half of the population is deemed poor. When more than 10% of the population is unemployed, not to mention the large numbers of people who work in marginalised jobs or the black market, and have no social protection whatsoever.
An Argentine historian remembers how “During these days the original festive dimension was brought back to life. Public spaces were filled with people taking pleasure in different performances and events”. And quite right too. Just think about it- 200 years! But of course, 200 years is nothing in Europe, whereas here in America it’s a long time.
We must celebrate these events that took place all that time ago, because although it wasn’t our responsibility or our decision, thanks to this we now exist, albeit that we are struck by a reality that regularly overwhelms us.
Because today we celebrate our liberation from Spanish oppression and domination, but we are still trapped by our own despondency and the resentments that stop us from expanding our freedom.
So, do we still have a reason to celebrate? Of course we do! But we should also engage in a process of reflection that allows us to look back at history, and in light of these events, these evidences, build a better present. We would truly feel independent if a cry of freedom could be reborn in the heart of every Argentine, bearing in mind this sense of separation, along with everything that keeps us trapped today and doesn’t let us live in freedom.
--
THE ART OF COMMEMORATION: A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Francesc Torralba. Doctor of Philosophy.
Director of the Universitas Albertiana Peace Institutes
CAN HISTORY BE TRANSFORMED?
Inés Palomeque.
Director of Mil Milenios de Paz
Letter of Peace addressed to the UN
In school they teach children that the Republic of Argentina made the first cry of freedom on 25th May 1810. On this day celebrations are held in schools, and children dress up in traditional clothes, paint their faces black to represent the black people who lived there in colonial times and they take fried pies and cakes to school and drink boiled mate.
They also dress the girls as upper class ladies who used to meet and embroider, weave and play the piano together, or as slave girls who cooked and washed clothes on the river bank.
The 25th May is also a celebration of the fight for freedom. Many men gave their energy and their lives in the pursuit of emancipation. The decision to create the first national government was a demonstration of maturity that is manifest in numerous aspects of our lives, and whilst it implies freedom, it also means responsibility. The responsibility to defend the dream of an independent Argentina.
And yet there is still so much to be done in order to achieve it! Independence is not just a declaration; it is also the commitment to sustain it. Independence means being able to make decisions freely. But that is not so easily done today. Are we truly free to decide for ourselves? Are we tied to certain ideologies that stop us from acting freely?
May 25th is a day that invites us to reflect, to manifest patriotic ideals that are intimately linked to certain values that accompany us on a daily basis: freedom, sovereignty, equality. This freedom that is still so hard for us to see when almost half of the population is deemed poor. When more than 10% of the population is unemployed, not to mention the large numbers of people who work in marginalised jobs or the black market, and have no social protection whatsoever.
An Argentine historian remembers how “During these days the original festive dimension was brought back to life. Public spaces were filled with people taking pleasure in different performances and events”. And quite right too. Just think about it- 200 years! But of course, 200 years is nothing in Europe, whereas here in America it’s a long time.
We must celebrate these events that took place all that time ago, because although it wasn’t our responsibility or our decision, thanks to this we now exist, albeit that we are struck by a reality that regularly overwhelms us.
Because today we celebrate our liberation from Spanish oppression and domination, but we are still trapped by our own despondency and the resentments that stop us from expanding our freedom.
So, do we still have a reason to celebrate? Of course we do! But we should also engage in a process of reflection that allows us to look back at history, and in light of these events, these evidences, build a better present. We would truly feel independent if a cry of freedom could be reborn in the heart of every Argentine, bearing in mind this sense of separation, along with everything that keeps us trapped today and doesn’t let us live in freedom.
--
THE ART OF COMMEMORATION: A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Francesc Torralba. Doctor of Philosophy.
Director of the Universitas Albertiana Peace Institutes
CAN HISTORY BE TRANSFORMED?
Inés Palomeque.
Director of Mil Milenios de Paz
jueves, 24 de junio de 2010
Can history be transformed?
Inés Palomeque.
Director of Mil Milenios de Paz
We thought about what would be the best way to integrate young people from Latin America, and especially from countries who will be commemorating their bicentenary- Argentina- Bolivia- Chile – Ecuador- Mexico- Paraguay and Venezuela. The decision was taken to organise the 10th Young Peace Messenger Leaders Parliamentary Assembly between 15th and 17th September 2010 in the Honourable Senate in Argentina.
In the very place where laws are drawn up and passed, the Senate Building, young people will give their point of view, from a dynamic, multidimensional, interactive, positive, creative, committed, respectful vision and with an awareness of their Rights and Responsibilities they will connect with the history of their respective countries, and the great men and women of that history and the way in which they shaped the life of the people there. They will use this to put forward suggestions and exchange innovative ideas and actions that can generate peace and wellbeing for all and help to build a fraternal, humane and just society.
Text
2010 is a very important year for those who want to reinvent the future. 200 years ago in a number of Latin American countries, emancipation movements rose up almost simultaneously in order to liberate people from colonialism. Argentina celebrated the anniversary of the May Revolution and the creation of the first national government on May 25th. Six years later, after a long process and in a global context that favoured emancipation, the Declaration of Independence was made, on 9th July 1816. Something which started off as a feeling and was then presented at a town meeting, helped to transform us into a Free and Sovereign Nation, to grow and develop as an independent group of people.
200 years is no small thing, without a doubt it constitutes a huge and unique opportunity for us to connect with our past, reflect on our present and achieve real, peaceful integration through personal and social transformation.
In order to transform history, we need to dream of a better tomorrow. Finding reconciliation within ourselves and with others, forgiving ourselves and others. Getting to know our roots (past) helps us to get to know ourselves, reflecting on our lifestyle (present) helps us to transform our future. We need to re-find ourselves and others.
The May celebration is an emblem of freedom. The freedom we knew how to achieve. Freedom that we want to protect for ourselves and future generations and which begins with peace and helps us to find inner freedom. Peace and Freedom are necessary for us to transform our future and expand qualitatively.
Building a plan for the country through dialogue, finding common ground, establishing fair agreements, discovering strategies that help to strengthen our dreams, as people and as a nation, requires courage and bravery. And here peace can form a bridge that unites us.
Within the state of peace all people are equals. Peace implies the presence of integral, individual harmony, which is reflected in pleasant, collaborative, creative social conduct. When we are at peace we can carry out a joint project that reaches beyond individual desire and benefits the common good.
Each and every one of us is a centre of peace. If we awaken our consciousness we will discover and recuperate our true power. The power that each of us has and should know how to use to build and help create the common good. To transform ourselves and transform others, the hatred that is within love, and the revenge that lies within forgiveness. As long as we flame the fires of resentment, we will be trapped in the past, depressed and devalued, full of negative thoughts and feelings.
Perhaps the key is to build bridges of friendship, strengthen collaboration, apply our knowledge to help develop groups of people, all groups of people. To help all men. Because we are one. And therefore the good and the bad that we do, sooner or later will affect us in some way. We need to hold everyone in our consciousness, let go of our fear when we meet others, create alliances, trust in man’s ability to give, love and be brave in order to achieve peace.
The participation of young people is fundamental to the creation of transformation. “We, as young people decide to begin to change by respecting human values, the context that we exist in and by valuing everyday life”. IX Assembly “Young people, politics and peace” 18th September 2009. National Congress. Buenos Aires (Argentina).
--
THE ART OF COMMEMORATION: A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Francesc Torralba. Doctor of PhilosophyDirector of the Universitas Albertiana Peace Institutes
A CELEBRATION AND… A PARTY?
Alfredo Fernández. Journalist.
Letter of Peace addressed to the UN
Director of Mil Milenios de Paz
We thought about what would be the best way to integrate young people from Latin America, and especially from countries who will be commemorating their bicentenary- Argentina- Bolivia- Chile – Ecuador- Mexico- Paraguay and Venezuela. The decision was taken to organise the 10th Young Peace Messenger Leaders Parliamentary Assembly between 15th and 17th September 2010 in the Honourable Senate in Argentina.
In the very place where laws are drawn up and passed, the Senate Building, young people will give their point of view, from a dynamic, multidimensional, interactive, positive, creative, committed, respectful vision and with an awareness of their Rights and Responsibilities they will connect with the history of their respective countries, and the great men and women of that history and the way in which they shaped the life of the people there. They will use this to put forward suggestions and exchange innovative ideas and actions that can generate peace and wellbeing for all and help to build a fraternal, humane and just society.
2010 is a very important year for those who want to reinvent the future. 200 years ago in a number of Latin American countries, emancipation movements rose up almost simultaneously in order to liberate people from colonialism. Argentina celebrated the anniversary of the May Revolution and the creation of the first national government on May 25th. Six years later, after a long process and in a global context that favoured emancipation, the Declaration of Independence was made, on 9th July 1816. Something which started off as a feeling and was then presented at a town meeting, helped to transform us into a Free and Sovereign Nation, to grow and develop as an independent group of people.
200 years is no small thing, without a doubt it constitutes a huge and unique opportunity for us to connect with our past, reflect on our present and achieve real, peaceful integration through personal and social transformation.
In order to transform history, we need to dream of a better tomorrow. Finding reconciliation within ourselves and with others, forgiving ourselves and others. Getting to know our roots (past) helps us to get to know ourselves, reflecting on our lifestyle (present) helps us to transform our future. We need to re-find ourselves and others.
The May celebration is an emblem of freedom. The freedom we knew how to achieve. Freedom that we want to protect for ourselves and future generations and which begins with peace and helps us to find inner freedom. Peace and Freedom are necessary for us to transform our future and expand qualitatively.
Building a plan for the country through dialogue, finding common ground, establishing fair agreements, discovering strategies that help to strengthen our dreams, as people and as a nation, requires courage and bravery. And here peace can form a bridge that unites us.
Within the state of peace all people are equals. Peace implies the presence of integral, individual harmony, which is reflected in pleasant, collaborative, creative social conduct. When we are at peace we can carry out a joint project that reaches beyond individual desire and benefits the common good.
Each and every one of us is a centre of peace. If we awaken our consciousness we will discover and recuperate our true power. The power that each of us has and should know how to use to build and help create the common good. To transform ourselves and transform others, the hatred that is within love, and the revenge that lies within forgiveness. As long as we flame the fires of resentment, we will be trapped in the past, depressed and devalued, full of negative thoughts and feelings.
Perhaps the key is to build bridges of friendship, strengthen collaboration, apply our knowledge to help develop groups of people, all groups of people. To help all men. Because we are one. And therefore the good and the bad that we do, sooner or later will affect us in some way. We need to hold everyone in our consciousness, let go of our fear when we meet others, create alliances, trust in man’s ability to give, love and be brave in order to achieve peace.
The participation of young people is fundamental to the creation of transformation. “We, as young people decide to begin to change by respecting human values, the context that we exist in and by valuing everyday life”. IX Assembly “Young people, politics and peace” 18th September 2009. National Congress. Buenos Aires (Argentina).
--
THE ART OF COMMEMORATION: A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Francesc Torralba. Doctor of PhilosophyDirector of the Universitas Albertiana Peace Institutes
A CELEBRATION AND… A PARTY?
Alfredo Fernández. Journalist.
Letter of Peace addressed to the UN
miércoles, 23 de junio de 2010
The art of commemoration: A new opportunity
Francesc Torralba. Doctor of PhilosophyDirector of the Universitas Albertiana Peace Institutes
When an event is commemorated emotional and rational dimensions both come into play. Commemoration is not a singular or individual act; it is a process that develops within a community. It comes about when an “us” is able to recognise itself as a collective subject with a shared history, a series of dramatic and happy, positive and negative episodes, pride and indignation, pain and pleasure, but it also implies a level of rational and critical analysis of what happened and how it happened.
When we commemorate something there is always the danger of deception or evasion of pain, of ignoring the victims of the given context. When we commemorate and forget about those who suffered, the ritual becomes an industry of resentment, and a focus of hostility. We must stop commemoration from becoming a way to awaken absurd resentments because, as the Letter of Peace addressed to the UN says, these resentments become real obstacles to building peace.
Wall Painting of Diego Rivera. Palacio Nacional (Mexico).
Victims have the right to be remembered and not forgotten and when communities commemorate their history they must be honest enough to tell their own story, to publically recount the dark side of events, all the things that are not written down in the official history books about the nation’s glorious past. The act of commemoration also provides an opportunity to make public statements of regret about how things were done in the past and to move on and take on the lessons learnt for the present and future. In reality what often happens is that specific agendas influence how the story is formed, and as a result commemoration becomes a perfect selection of remembered and forgotten information, expressly sought out to have the desired effect on the masses.
The formal objective of all acts of commemoration is to remember what happened, go back in time to think about what happened, what took place and how it took place. Memories are not emotionally neutral, especially if what is being evoked is a collective memory that left a deep imprint on the biography of a group of people or nation.
The commemoration of independence is a pretext to deepen our collective essence, our national identity and the richness of intercultural contact. It is also an opportunity to think about what your community can do to contribute to a planetary agreement, to help global history to progress. It is not just about looking at the past in order to recreate it, it is about learning from the past so future generations can live in peace in a globally connected world.
--
THE ART OF COMMEMORATION: A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Francesc Torralba. Doctor of PhilosophyDirector of the Universitas Albertiana Peace Institutes
CAN HISTORY BE TRANSFORMED?
Inés Palomeque.
Director of Mil Milenios de Paz
A CELEBRATION AND… A PARTY?
Alfredo Fernández. Journalist.
Letter of Peace addressed to the UN
When an event is commemorated emotional and rational dimensions both come into play. Commemoration is not a singular or individual act; it is a process that develops within a community. It comes about when an “us” is able to recognise itself as a collective subject with a shared history, a series of dramatic and happy, positive and negative episodes, pride and indignation, pain and pleasure, but it also implies a level of rational and critical analysis of what happened and how it happened.
When we commemorate something there is always the danger of deception or evasion of pain, of ignoring the victims of the given context. When we commemorate and forget about those who suffered, the ritual becomes an industry of resentment, and a focus of hostility. We must stop commemoration from becoming a way to awaken absurd resentments because, as the Letter of Peace addressed to the UN says, these resentments become real obstacles to building peace.
Victims have the right to be remembered and not forgotten and when communities commemorate their history they must be honest enough to tell their own story, to publically recount the dark side of events, all the things that are not written down in the official history books about the nation’s glorious past. The act of commemoration also provides an opportunity to make public statements of regret about how things were done in the past and to move on and take on the lessons learnt for the present and future. In reality what often happens is that specific agendas influence how the story is formed, and as a result commemoration becomes a perfect selection of remembered and forgotten information, expressly sought out to have the desired effect on the masses.
The formal objective of all acts of commemoration is to remember what happened, go back in time to think about what happened, what took place and how it took place. Memories are not emotionally neutral, especially if what is being evoked is a collective memory that left a deep imprint on the biography of a group of people or nation.
The commemoration of independence is a pretext to deepen our collective essence, our national identity and the richness of intercultural contact. It is also an opportunity to think about what your community can do to contribute to a planetary agreement, to help global history to progress. It is not just about looking at the past in order to recreate it, it is about learning from the past so future generations can live in peace in a globally connected world.
--
THE ART OF COMMEMORATION: A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Francesc Torralba. Doctor of PhilosophyDirector of the Universitas Albertiana Peace Institutes
CAN HISTORY BE TRANSFORMED?
Inés Palomeque.
Director of Mil Milenios de Paz
A CELEBRATION AND… A PARTY?
Alfredo Fernández. Journalist.
Letter of Peace addressed to the UN
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