BRIDGES FALL 2004

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY • DAVID M. KENNEDY CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Life in a Global Village Kennedy Center Fifth Annual Photography Contest FIRST PLACE “Agua,” Genevieve Brown Comedero, Mexico BRIDGES

FALL 2004

2 Director’s Message

FEATURES

4 Life in a Global Village “All seek to explain the common human experiences of life—e.g., birth, death, old age, hunger, sexual urges, marriage, wealth, poverty, and disease.” Roger R. Keller, Richard L. Evans Professor of Religious Understanding, BYU

12 Socially Engaged Spirituality: Challenges in Emerging local and Global Development Strategies “For me, the greatest challenge facing humanity is that our future is too narrowly defi ned—there is only one goal of economic growth and only one path to attain that goal.” Sulak Sivaraksa, Thai intellectual and social critic

18 Beyond the Border “We think this will help us reach a new audience, and it will help us fulfi ll an untapped portion of the center’s mission—a national outreach through produc- tion of information.” Jocelyn Stayner

PERSONALITY PROFILE 22 Rabbi Frederick L. Wenger—Midwest to Far East “Life as a rabbi is like being called as a bishop—only it’s for life!” J. Lee Simons

COMMUNITIES 26 Campus 31 Alumni 34 World 40 Trends

Jeffrey F. Ringer, PUBLISHER Cory W. Leonard, MANAGING EDITOR J. Lee Simons, EDITOR Published by the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Jocelyn Stayner, ASSISTANT EDITOR Copyright 2004 by Brigham Young University. All rights reserved. All communications should be sent to Bridges, Jamie L. Huish, ASSISTANT EDITOR 237 HRCB, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602. Robert H. Boden, DESIGNER Phone: (801) 422-2652 Kristi Kirisberg, ASSISTANT DESIGNER E-mail: [email protected] Director’s Message

Jeff Ringer, director

Going Beyond the Border I’ve had occasion recently to reread several speeches that Elder Holland gave twenty years ago at the inauguration of the Kennedy Center when he was BYU presi- dent. I find great inspiration in his words, as well as a yardstick by which to measure our progress over the last two decades. In 1983, at the creation of the center, he said: When I first arrived on campus as a new presi- dent three and one-half years ago, I declared publicly that we couldn’t do everything here, that which we chose to do we intended to do superbly well. Because of natural strength and unique need, we have chosen to make interna- tional activity and expertise one of our pinnacles of excellence. Perhaps no other university in the world has on its campus the undergraduate, graduate, and faculty experience in the interna- tional arena that BYU has. In the development Jeffrey R. Holland with David M. Kennedy of the David M. Kennedy Center, it is imperative that we capitalize on the now tens of thousands who do now, and will yet, spend long periods engaged in direct interaction with people in all accessible nations of the world through the far-flung missionary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We would miss one of the unique and most readily available natural strengths of this campus if we did not build upon this breadth of experience, upon the foun- dation of genuine love for peoples with whom both students and faculty have lived, and labored, and spoken in their language. We must now build a university superstructure in which we better understand the history, culture, and institutions of these people and by which BYU will move into the forefront of the world as an informed facilitator of international understanding, communications, and peace. Two years later, at the dedication of the center’s new home, he had much the same to say: When I became president of the university, now half a dozen years ago, it seemed to me that it was incumbent upon us in some increasing state of maturity, to choose what we could do and to do that well. I did not think we could do everything. We have a fixed number of resources, and only so many people, buildings, and dollars. It just seemed very important to progressively and increasingly choose, refine, magnify, and capital- ize on natural abilities and strengths, things that BYU could do well. Some things any university has to do. Some things Brigham Young University has to do, largely because of our religious heritage and our Latter- day Saint sponsorship. Then moving outside that, there are some things that a good university could do, maybe should do, if it can find a way to do them.

2 One of the things that I thought we ought to do, and certainly there were many before my arrival on campus who also thought so, was to capitalize on what may be the most unique international and cross-cultural strength in an undergraduate popu- lation at any university, I think, maybe on this planet. I hope that is not hyperbole; I think it is true. To demonstrate one aspect of that strength, we have 13,000 returned missionaries on this campus, men and women, who have spent two years, or near that figure, some- where else in the world. Two-thirds of those 13,000 have a second language capa- bility. A third of them have third language capability. It is not often that folks from Delta or Kanab or St. George or Scipio end up in Indonesia or Johannesburg or Oslo or Osaka. To have those students come back onto this campus, with something like a hundred returned mission presidents, seems to me to give per square inch probably the greatest concentration of international and cross-cultural experience that I could imagine in any comparable university anywhere in the world. That is not the only reason that we are interested in such matters, but it is a natural strength. It seems to me that we would be foolish not to use and to expand upon and to bless those same countries and kingdoms and peoples and languages with the work of the univer- sity. We want to support that kind of rather remarkable human experience which so many of our people have had and will continue to have. We are committed to international studies; we are committed to international peace and under- standing. We believe that BYU has some advan- tages and natural assets and opportunities about which we do not want to be smug. We certainly have no desire to convey anything that would be patronizing, but only a sense of mission and a sense of commitment to the purposes and oppor- tunities for international peace and strength. I’ve thought a lot about Elder Holland’s words and wondered how well we’ve met his challenge. In some ways, I think we’ve done well; in others, we’ve clearly fallen short. Specifically, Elder Holland chal- lenged us to be “an informed facilitator of international understanding, communications, and peace.” We have recently launched a project that we hope will move us in that direction. We partnered with Combat Films and Research to produce Beyond the Border (http://www. beyondtheborder.org), a series of documenta- ries about important international issues and events. KBYU-TV aired the series this fall, and it appears it was well received. We remain committed to Elder Holland’s vision and invite you to join with us as we work toward it. ˚

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 3 Life in a Global Village

by Roger R. Keller, Richard L. Evans Professor of Religious Understanding, BYU “Now, isn’t it

wonderful that

each and every

one of us

is unlike

any other?”

Introduction A Latter-day Saint might explain these differences with the When I was on the Arizona regional board of the National words “agency” and “growth opportunities.” Much of what Conference of Christians and Jews (now the National we are or become is a product of the choices we make. Among Conference for Community and Justice), I received a book Latter-day Saints, there is a strong work ethic. We too believe entitled People written and illustrated by Peter Spier. I have that we reap what we sow, not as a result of previous incarna- treasured it, for it displays in both words and pictures what I tions, but rather as a result of what we choose to do or not to believe is part of the excitement of being human. It ends with do. We also believe that God places people in this life, so that these words: they may grow spiritually and become evermore like Christ. Four billion human beings . . . young and old, sick and Precisely how this is accomplished by the various trials of life well, happy and unhappy, kind and unkind, strong and is really unknown to us, but it is known to God. We trust that. weak. People everywhere. And all different. It is strange: Answers to Life’s Questions Some people even hate others because they are unlike Is one answer better than another? Each is logical. Each themselves. Because they are different. They forget makes sense. Each could be true. Why do we choose one that they too would seem different if they could only answer over another? For most, the reason is that we were see themselves through other people’s eyes. But imag- born into the particular faith providing that answer. That is ine how dreadfully dull this world of ours would be just the way it is. Others search more broadly and choose a if everybody would look, think, eat, dress, and act the particular faith with its answers to life’s questions. The faith same! Now, isn’t it wonderful that each and every one of may be chosen because it is intellectually satisfying. It may us is unlike any other?1 be chosen as a result of a deep spiritual experience. Whatever The world is a marvelously diverse collage of God’s the reason, the end result is a product of the faith that one has children. They come in all sizes, shapes, colors, cultures, and found that which gives meaning to his or her life. It is only religions. All seek meaning in life. All seek to explain the com- within the individual soul that God can speak and draw a per- mon human experiences of life—e.g., birth, death, old age, son closer to himself. Is one way more complete than another? hunger, sexual urges, marriage, wealth, poverty, and disease. Christians and Muslims have always believed that their Sometimes those explanations are similar. Sometimes they are faiths are the ones toward which all others point. Latter-day different, but each explanation, no matter how different it may Saints hold their faith to be the capstone of all others but other seem from our own, gives order, meaning, and purpose to paths may ultimately in this life or the next lead persons to people’s lives. No one believes anything “stupid,” for human deal finally with the fulness of the gospel. I believe this is beings are rational, logical creatures most of the time. what President Spencer W. Kimball had in mind, when he We look at the disparities of life. Why are some born rich, said, “[We] believe that God has given and will give to all some poor, some deformed, and some barely take their first peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to breaths before dying? The great Eastern faiths would answer eternal salvation, either in this life or in the life to come.”2 by saying “karma.” People are reaping what they have sown. As we seek to understand our brothers and sisters of Some are wealthy, because through their past lives they cre- this world, we begin to discover many common strains that ated the karma that made them wealthy in this life. Others bind us together. We begin to see God’s fingerprints on each created karma that led to suffering, an early death, or deformi- human life—no matter how different from our own experi- ty. Another might speak of the providence of God, essentially ences—because God never leaves His children to wander in inscrutable, which explains all differences between peoples, the maze of human existence without guidance and direction. but which in the end is beyond human understanding. The Father who reveals himself through Jesus Christ loves all

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 5 “Often our under- standing of God’s workings are the

‘contracted notions of men.’”

of His children no matter their race, culture, or religion. We blessing to all the nations of the earth, so that she could make find the following in the Doctrine and Covenants: known to human beings everywhere the one God of the uni- [A]ll flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons. . . . For verse. We also discover there that God does not do things the what man among you having twelve sons, and is no way human beings expect. In virtually all cultures, the eldest respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he son or daughter inherits the birthrights of property and posi- saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou tion. In Israelite culture, the birthright was that of the first- here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou born male. Thus, it should have been Ishmael, not Isaac, Esau there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just? not Jacob, and Mannasah not Ephraim who received their (Section 38:16, 26; italics added) fathers’ blessings. But in the mystery of “divine election” it was precisely the opposite in each case. Jehovah did not oper- God’s Surprises ate by the rules of common law, for He was and is free from Joseph Smith was fully aware of the breadth of God’s human constraints. love for His children. Joseph was anything but parochial in As the incarnate Jehovah, Jesus continued to scandalize his outlook on his religiously diverse neighbors. President people. He taught Samaritans, touched lepers, and conversed Howard W. Hunter underlined this fact in a General with women. The Samaritans were descendants of peoples Conference talk in 1991: imported by the Assyrians in the eighth century B.C.E. They In the gospel view, no man is alien. No one is to be were considered apostates from Judaism, even though they denied. There is no underlying excuse for smugness, arro- claimed the faith. Antagonism between Jews and Samaritans gance, or pride. Openly scorning the pettiness and intol- was intense. Jesus, traveling north from Jerusalem to the erance of rival religious groups, the Prophet Joseph Smith Galilee stopped at Jacob’s well where he encountered a said in an editorial: Samaritan woman. He requested from her a drink of water, While one portion of the human race is judging and a drink which would have been ritually impure, because she condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent was a Samaritan (John 4:7). He used a Samaritan as the hero of the universe looks upon the whole of the human of a parable, contrasted this man’s compassion for a Jew who family with a fatherly care and paternal regard; He was robbed and beaten as he traveled down from Jerusalem to views them as His offspring, and without any of those Jericho, with the lack of compassion of the most respected of contracted feelings that influence the children of men, Jews, a priest and a Levite (Luke 10:25–37). causes “His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, Similarly, lepers constituted the dregs of society, because and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” He people feared that they could contract the disease through holds the reins of judgment in His hands; He is a wise contact with them. Thus, lepers were shunned, segregated Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the from society, and when they did appear, they had to shout narrow, contracted notions of men, but, “according to that they were unclean, so that others could avoid them. the deeds done in the body whether they be good or Their existence was truly living death. Yet, Jesus without hes- evil,” or whether these deeds were done in England, itation touched a leper to heal him, instantly making himself 3 America, Spain, Turkey, or India. unclean by the act (Matthew 8:2–3). Women were also on the Often our understanding of God’s workings are the fringe of male society. In public, men and women of Jesus’ “contracted notions of men.” We see in a glass dimly, while day existed in relatively separate realms. Yet, Jesus taught believing that we see all reality clearly. How often God has women, had close female friends like Mary and Martha, and astounded us in our certainties, adding new dimensions and women followed in his retinue. These socially unexpected new vistas to what we thought we understood fully. God is a acts were of particular interest to Luke, a Gentile, who God of surprises. affirmed that the gospel was not for the Jews only, but for the For example, Israel, despite her stubbornness and dis- unexpected of the world—Samaritans, lepers, women, and obedience, was chosen by God in the Old Testament to be a even Gentiles.

6 Some early Christians even left the Church when God [God] is using not only his covenant people, but other commanded that the gospel be preached to the Gentiles—per- peoples as well, to consummate a work, stupendous, sons previously held to be unclean by Jewish people and magnificent, and altogether too arduous for this little beyond the pale of God’s love. We see this tension as Peter is handful of Saints to accomplish by and of themselves. . . . summoned to Cornelius’ home. Before he could understand All down the ages men bearing the authority of the Holy that it would be appropriate for him to obey the summons, Priesthood—patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and others, God gave him a vision of numerous unclean animals, all of have officiated in the name of the Lord, doing the things which he was commanded to kill and eat. He objected that that he required of them; and outside the pale of their he had never eaten anything unclean, but God responded activities other good and great men, not bearing the with words that still echo across the centuries: “What God Priesthood, but possessing profundity of thought, great hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15). In wisdom, and a desire to uplift their fellows, have been other words, God sees things differently than do humans, sent by the Almighty into many nations, to give them, not whose eyes may not yet be opened to God’s broader purposes. the fulness of the Gospel, but that portion of truth that Perhaps, then, God sees His other children and the religious they were able to receive and wisely use.4 insights He has given them differently than many of us may as Note that Elder Whitney was not merely asserting that Latter-day Saints. We certainly have the fulness of the gospel, great religious leaders like Muhammad or the Buddha were but we may not yet “know all things.” teaching the highest of human wisdom. They were persons Preconceptions actually sent by God to teach His children in the situations in God’s surprises did not cease with the biblical era but con- which they lived. The teachings were for their growth, just as tinue today, for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. surely as the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Such surprises make life interesting and exciting for some, but day Saints are for the growth of its members. The purpose of sadly for others, God’s occasional unpredictability makes life earthly life is that all God’s children may grow to be like Jesus uncertain, because “sacred” presuppositions are called into Christ. But there are many paths to Him, all of which Latter- question. On the front of the Old Testament syllabus that we day Saints believe—except their faith—are preparatory to the used at Duke University Divinity School, there was a cartoon. fulness of the gospel. Thus, Latter-day Saints clearly believe It showed a young man lying on the floor thumbing through that there is a more to their faith. But it is not a more that sepa- his Bible with his wife standing over him. The caption read, rates us from our brothers and sisters. Rather, it draws us “Go away. Leave me alone. I’m looking for a biblical text closer to them out of God’s love and our love for them. to support my preconceived notion.” I wonder if all of us, How Wide is His Love? regardless of our particular religious affiliations, may not have There is a rather surprising text in the Book of Mormon, preconceived notions about our religiously diverse neighbors which, when read from the standpoint of Latter-day Saint that prevent us from seeing them in all their beauty, goodness, relationships to persons of other faith traditions, is almost and power? I wonder if we may not sometimes feel that we astounding. It is found in 2 Nephi 28:30; 29:11–12 and reads: have God in our own religious corral, and He cannot reach For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the beyond our preconceived notions about Him? children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, Obviously, these are rhetorical questions, for I believe that here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who we often see God as limited in His capacities and abilities hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my rather than recognizing Him in all his glory, power, and mag- counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that nificence—all of which reach far beyond ourselves. President receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, Hunter once again put things in perspective when he said: We have enough, from them shall be taken away even Elder Orson F. Whitney, in a conference address, explained that which they have. . . . For I command all men, both that many great religious leaders were inspired. He said: in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 7 “There is no question asked by human beings to which we do not have sensible answers.”

south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write Testaments—and to the Nephites is obviously the Book of the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books Mormon. The other tribes of Israel have writings similar to the which shall be written I will judge the world, every man Book of Mormon that are yet to be given to us. according to their works, according to that which is writ- Most importantly for our purposes, however, is the last ten. For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall line, which I italicized. All nations of the world will be given write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they the words of God, which will be recorded in sacred texts, shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes such as the Qur’an of Muslims, the Bhagavad Gita and the of the house of Israel, Vedas of Hindus, the Tripitaka of Buddhists, the Analects of which I have led away, Confucianism, the Tao Te Ching of Taoists, the Siddhanta of and they shall write it; Jains, the Holy Writings of Baha’is, and the Guru Granth Sahib and I shall also speak unto or Sikhs. God’s words know no bounds—they cut across all nations of the earth and national, racial, and cultural boundaries. No people or civi- they shall write it. lization is without some direction from God. The excesses in As Latter-day Saints, the name of religion are not religious at all. They are products we all know that we of sinful human beings of all religions polluting the sacred learn a little bit at a time words of the divine and twisting them to selfish ends never within the spiritual realm, intended by God. but do we realize that all Discussant or Missionary our brothers and sisters, In July 2004, I had the opportunity to attend the regardless of their reli- Parliament of the World’s Religions in Barcelona, Spain. The gious tradition, learn in beauty of the Parliament was that people were not there to exactly the same way? Do Jan Saeed, Elaine Emmi, Roger Keller, and Shuaib Din; the change one another but rather to understand each other. They Utah delegation in Barcelona. we give sufficient atten- were there to support each other in the righteous endeavors of tion to the fact that God the various faiths represented. will add to the wisdom that any of His children has, if they I find this concept of understanding another without the are open to truth? Remember that all people are on their own desire to change someone somewhat hard for some Latter-day growth paths. Yours differs from mine and mine from yours, Saints to understand. Is not every member a missionary? Did even if we are Latter-day Saints, because we are different, I not go to this Parliament and the one in Cape Town, South unique, eternal beings, just as are our brothers and sisters of Africa, five years ago to convince people that the fulness of other faiths. Sometimes we are open and ready for more truth; the gospel was the only correct faith on the face of the earth? other times we are not. In other words, we are just like every Did I not go to show the inadequacies of all other faiths except one of God’s children—sometimes open and sometimes closed. that of the Latter-day Saints? Did I not go to demonstrate Given that very real human situation, God still has not left how God favors the Latter-day Saints over other faiths? The us alone. Thankfully, He meets us precisely where we are, not answer to these questions is an emphatic, “No!” only geographically but, more importantly, spiritually. Thus, There is a distinct difference between interfaith relations all persons, no matter where they may live, are commanded and missionary work. In the first instance, understanding is by God to write the words He speaks to them, for it is against sought. I want to walk in the shoes of my brothers or sisters those words that they will be judged—the words recorded of other faiths. I want to feel as much as possible the power in their sacred books. No one will be judged against what they find in their faith traditions. In true interfaith dialogue, he or she does not know, but rather against that which God they will be seeking the same thing from me. They seek to has commanded them. And what are those scriptures? Those understand what I have found in my own tradition. They given to the Jews is the Bible—both the Old and New want to know why I can or cannot do certain things, such as

8 not drinking alcohol, smoking, or using coffee or tea. We are L. Evans Professor of Religious Understanding, sometimes I exploring one another’s religious experiences, and as we do, have simply built friendships, at other times I engaged in a each of us discovers elements in our own faiths that we would dialogue, while in other instances I have invited a person to never have seen had we not put on the spectacles of our reli- consider joining my faith. Each is a facet through which God giously diverse neighbor. blesses the human family. None is exclusive of the others. I continue to be amazed at the richness of my own tradi- The Parliament of the World’s Religions tion, and the questions to which we have answers that I would Running throughout the Parliament of the World’s have never realized without the study of the world’s great reli- Religions, regardless of the religion of the speaker, was an gions. There is no question asked by human beings to which emphasis on globalization. Virtually all persons present came we do not have sensible answers. Sometimes that answer is with an awareness that today whatever happens on one side “I do not know,” but it is not only good to know what we do of the globe affects the other side. We live in a small village, know, but it is just as important to know what we do not. albeit one that covers the earth. Isolationism and colonialism On the other hand, if I want to be a missionary, I will put are no longer options in our tiny world. To survive, to have on the “badge,” so that no one is in doubt about my purposes. the human race continue as a species, we as citizens of this As a missionary, my goal is to bless lives—all lives. I believe global village must learn to live together, to work together, that the greatest blessing I can give people is baptism into the and perhaps most importantly, to talk together. fulness of the gospel. But many are not ready for that, so I seek Speaker after speaker condemned violence, no matter to move them a bit further along the spiritual path than they what its excuse, especially if that excuse was religious. Some were the day I met them. I may make them better Catholics, of the most impassioned pleas against violence came from Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, or Presbyterians than they were Muslims. As a matter of fact, I found the Muslim speakers when we met, because we began to talk about the spiritual to be some of the most spiritually motivated speakers at the things of life that had become peripheral to them. If I do this, Parliament. I remember one Imam beginning his comments I have been a successful missionary, for conversion to the ful- with the statement, “There can be no interfaith dialogue if the ness of the gospel is a process; not a moment. It is a process persons involved do not bring their faith to the table.” Yes, I guided by the Holy Ghost. It may be a process of a few hours, found persons of deep and profound faith at the Parliament. a few months, or as in my own case, a few years. Because con- I found persons who clearly knew the same God that I did. version is guided by the Holy Ghost, there is never any neces- They might have called him by a different name or worshiped sity to denigrate the faith of another person. him in a different way, but their lives mirrored their faith, and After all, as we have seen, God will hold all persons in their lives I saw my God. accountable for what He has given them. If there are errors Compassion for people in the extremities of need per- in a faith, the Spirit will make them known to a person who meated the Parliament’s atmosphere. As noted, this was a is seeking greater truth. Those who attack persons of other conference that stressed globalization. The suffering of our faiths have very little belief in the Holy Ghost and His work. brothers and sisters across the world could not be ignored. They feel that they can argue a person into faith, when in fact We cannot worship God and watch our neighbor starve. We the only agent of conversion is the Spirit. This means that I cannot offer a message of gospel hope when the most imme- can relax with my religiously diverse neighbor, share what I diate need is food, potable water, or the healing of a disease believe as I would with any real friend, and then depend upon like AIDS. Many times there is no access to the soul of a the Spirit to guide that person in the uniquely tailored path person until the temple in which the soul dwells has been that God has for that person. strengthened and cleansed. King Benjamin was right when Consequently, given my commission and role at any given he said, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may moment, I must decide whether I seek dialogue and under- learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the ser- standing, or whether I wish overtly to invite a person to con- vice of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your sider an alternative to his or her current faith. As the Richard God” (Mosiah 2:17).

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 9 “All of us, no matter what our religious traditions, know good when we see it.”

And service was very apparent in Barcelona, particularly earth yearly. He said, “What difference does that make to me? as it was rendered by the Sikhs, who came from all parts I will go to Wall Street and make my millions and be on easy of Europe, specifically street.” This seems all too characteristic of the “me generation” England, simply to pro- which does not even project their thoughts ahead to the envi- vide at no cost approxi- ronment they are leaving their own children and grandchildren. mately 3,000 meals each One final person should be mentioned. In April 2004, day to anyone who Sulak Sivaraksa came to BYU’s campus to share his thoughts wished to participate on engaged Buddhism. He spoke in public forum at the in the community meal Kennedy Center, but some of us in Religious Education had known as “Langar.” Sikhs Roger Keller at world conference. the opportunity to meet in a small, casual group setting with believe that there are him. The first thing I noticed about him was something about three ways to get closer which much of this article speaks. He wanted first to know to God: 1) service; 2) meditation; and 3) the community of something about us as Latter-day Saints. We had come to sit enlightened beings. We certainly saw the community out in at the feet of a world-renown Buddhist scholar and to learn force. We saw their spiritual commitment as we spoke with from him. He, on the other hand, asked to know about us. them and visited the Gurdwara (temple) that they had con- Once he knew something of our thoughts on issues, then he structed and listened to readings from their sacred texts and could address us on things important to him in a language watched the devotion of those in attendance. that touched our hearts and souls. He sought dialogue, not Service was most clearly rendered through the prepara- merely the one-way street of lecture. When he did speak, he tion and service of noon meals each day of the conference. helped us understand that religion must be engaged in the Participants sat in long lines while workers moved amongst issues of the world. His particular tradition is Buddhism, a them serving food. Upon entering the area, people were tradition of profound spiritual dimensions, but one that he required to remove their shoes. Upon leaving, they would feels is sometimes not sufficiently engaged with the issues of put them back on, but I wonder how many noticed an elderly human life. As he presented that message as part of a panel gentleman quietly moving between the rows of shoe racks carefully cleaning each pair of shoes with a cloth as an act of at the Parliament, it was clear that not all Buddhists were as personal service to others. ready to be engaged in today’s political, economic, and social A high point for me was the opportunity to hear Jane issues as was Sulak. Goodall, best known for her work with chimpanzees, speak At the Parliament, religious people came together for ten passionately about the need to preserve the ecological integ- days from all parts of the world to celebrate both their unity rity of this fragile globe we call home. In her lifetime, she has and their diversity. We discovered so many things we shared seen this ecosystem, of which we are a part, deteriorate badly. in common. We shared so many hopes for an equitable, Thousands upon thousands of species of life, all of them cre- violence-free world. We each returned committed to make ated by God, have disappeared forever from this earth, largely our own communities a more vibrant part of the global because of the greed and violence perpetrated by earth’s inhab- village. We recommitted ourselves to working together, even itants who are supposed to be the most intelligent of its life with our differences, for a better world that would reflect the forms. Fields are plowed under to build mansions. Rain forests God who made it and us. We also rejoiced in our diversity. are destroyed to produce short-term crops. Whole rivers are The things that were different were just as important as those destroyed in the frantic search for gold. Beaches are fouled by that were held in common. It is the differences that make us oil spills—the list is endless. The self-centeredness of many who we are. The differences make me a Latter-day Saint, and of this world was summed up by a professor from a major my friends Baha’is, Muslims, Quakers, Hindus, Buddhists, American university who quoted a student’s response to the Jains, and Sikhs. How terribly uninteresting the world would information that almost 2,000 species of life vanish from this be without such beautiful diversity.

10 Religion and Life those with whose teachings we may not agree. We must Where, then, do religion and life meet in our global vil- be willing to defend the rights of others who may become lage? They meet on our streets, in our backyards, in our the victims of bigotry. houses of worship, in our prisons, in our hospitals and mental I call attention to these striking words of Joseph Smith institutions, at our borders, amongst our “illegal” aliens, in spoken in 1843: our schools, in the military, in the houses of Parliament, in If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing the voting booths, in the halls of justice, and wherever else to die for a ‘Mormon,’ I am bold to declare before human beings live and work. Most religions, when lived as Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the they were originally taught, are tolerant, open, compassionate, rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of and humble. But human beings have all too often superim- any other denomination; for the same principle which posed cultural biases on what God has given, thereby diluting would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day and adulterating what was good and beautiful. It is impera- Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman tive in our global village that we seek to return to our roots, Catholics, or of any other denomination (History of our true roots, reflecting the truths which God has given to the Church, vol. 5, p. 498).5 ˚ our various founders. Mormon said it well in Moroni 7:12–13: Notes Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an 1. Spier, Peter. People, Garden City, NY, Doubleday & Company, Inc, enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, 1980, last six pages. and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is 2. Kimball, Spencer W. First Presidency Statement, 15 February 1978, evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth quoted in Asay, Carlos E. “God’s Love for Mankind,” Mormons and and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every Muslims: Spiritual Foundations and Modern Manifestations, ed. Spencer J. Palmer, Religious Studies Monograph Series, no. 8, Provo, UT, thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1983, p. 208. God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. 3. Smith, Joseph. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, All of us, no matter what our religious traditions, know 7 vols., 1949, reprint, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 1970, vol. 4, pp. good when we see it. There was so much good present in 595–96; quoted in Hunter, Howard W. “The Gospel— Barcelona at the Parliament that the Spirit was palpably A Global Faith,” Ensign, November 1991, p. 18. present. It could be felt everywhere as Baha’is, Muslims, 4. Ibid. Hunter. Elder Whitney’s remarks first appeared in Conference Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Taoists, Jains, Jews, Report, Salt Lake City, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Confucianists, Shintoists, and numerous less well known April 1921, pp. 32–33. Italics added. faiths met together in moments of common celebration before 5. Hinckley, Gordon B. Conference Report, Salt Lake City, The Church the One they understood to be Ultimate. Perhaps a bit more of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 1995, pp. 94–95. of that global spirit can permeate each day on this campus of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so that the “world may truly be our campus.” In conclusion, let me quote the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley: I plead with our people everywhere to live with respect and appreciation for those not of our faith. There is so great a need for civility and mutual respect among those of differing beliefs and philosophies. We must not be par- tisans of any doctrine of ethnic superiority. We live in a world of diversity. We can and must be respectful toward

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 11 major challenge, some would A call it a dilemma, that the world faces is how to be modern. The discourse of development, especially through the concept of modernization, is decidedly biased. It can be said that the intellec- SOCIALLY ENGAGED tual precursor of modernization was the European enlightenment. In other words, the concept of modernization is actually coded. It is based on a specific SPIRITUALITY worldview that is by no means the only Challenges in Emerging Local and Global Development Strategies explanation. However, the modern, rational, positivistic worldview is often passed off as the most legitimate per- by Sulak Sivaraksa, Thai intellectual and social critic spective. For the bulk of humanity— the non-Western world—this is a major problem. The promise of emancipation through continuous economic growth and technological advancements has also been a vain hope. The economy can

never grow large enough; technological advancements can never be sophisti- cated enough; a state can never be strong enough; and so on. In many countries, economic growth has brought turmoil. Rising GDP per capita is accompanied by widening income inequalities in many countries. In New York itself, the so- called financial capital of the world, almost 60 percent of black youth lack economic and educational opportunities and access to basic social security. Their plight is not significantly different from the inhabitants of Bangladesh even though the latter is considered the poorest country in Asia. I think we need to be very critical of any system that only looks to GDP as an indicator of growth and well being. I applaud courageous nations like Bhutan, whose government has adopted

12 the concept of Gross National Happi- attain that goal. I feel that development damentalism, racism, etc. I also feel that ness as its main objective. Although the models of the future will succeed insofar the line that divides Eastern and Western idea is not without its problems, I am as they are built on present wisdom in civilizations is at best a blurry one. Civi- anxious to support this brave idea which local cultures. Helena Norberg-Hodge1 lization is too amorphous a concept to looks to human happiness and life as a argued in her book, Ancient Futures, serve as an island unto itself. policy concern instead of looking solely that the development of the world can- I do not want to be another Samuel at human affluence. I echo the Latter- not be determined only in New York or Huntington,2 who emphatically propa- day Saint teaching that “men are that London. Rather it should also be deter- gates the clash of civilization thesis, they might have joy,” but how do we mined by local communities like Ladakh delineating the world along the faultline apply such instruction at the national and Kerala in India and local grassroots of Western vs. the Rest of the World. level? How do we make such spiritual movements like the Assembly of the Once you say I am then you are and we objectives our policy? Poor in my own country. and they naturally follow; then there is At a recent conference on Gross Development strategies must not conflict and fragmentation, which is not National Happiness, it was noted that neglect the social and spiritual domain. at all healthy for the culti-vation of the what gets measured gets managed. If There is a wealth of wisdom that can be whole unit. we only measure money through indi- gained from the various religions of the What is needed most in this world cators such as GDP, then money will world, if only we do not relegate them is freedom of belief in all affairs. One be all that we attempt to manage. If we to the dustbin of history as the discourse of the most volatile points of conten- look to measure other achievements, of modernity recommends. We need to tion today is intolerance for different such as literacy, health, social capital, work together to achieve our spiritual approaches to political, economic, and freedom, leisure time, happiness, etc., traditions, to check the rising forces of spiritual matters. Tolerance for socioeco-

“The things we aspire to assuredly influence our actions today. then those will be the things we pursue greed and self-interest. We must engage nomic diversity and Likewise, and manage. our spirituality. alternative models our spiritual We need to look at our futures differ- Now, before I continue, let me first of development has aspirations ently, as if they are present now. In a few make something clear. I do not discount been, and still is, ter- determine days, I will lecture at Naropa Univer- the existence of binarisms. I believe ribly low to the point sity in Boulder Colorado. Naropa was that there are differences between the of being nonexistent. our future.” founded by Trungpa Rinpoche, a great East and West and differences between The founders of the Buddhist teacher who recognized the religious traditions such as Christianity State of Utah, the inseparability of the past, present and and Buddhism. However, I do not treat dedicated Mormon future. Rinpoche taught that not only these differences as binary oppositions; pioneers, understood does our past actions, our karma, deter- in other words, as hierarchical relation- this probably better mine our present condition, but also our ships where there is one privileged than any one group in future karma will in a way determine side. I do not agree with the good vs evil American history. who we are now. The things we aspire hypothesis that has dominated recent I request all of to assuredly influence our actions today. global political events. The world will you here to consider Likewise, our spiritual aspirations deter- fall into ruin if we continually seek to your predecessors mine our future. remove the mote in our neighbor’s eye, who built this beauti- For me, the greatest challenge facing while ignoring the beam in our own. ful civilization here humanity is that our future is too nar- When dealing with people, seeing the in the desert wil- rowly defined—there is only one goal of world in terms of binary opposites is an derness. Why did economic growth and only one path to expression of intolerance, bigotry, fun- they do it? Amongst

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 13 other things, so they could be free from by coercion, not necessarily because the that ultimate happiness can be achieved restrictive social and economic systems Latter-day Saints wanted it. Do you see through a never-ending consumption of that hindered their ability to follow their what I am getting at? The same thing goods and services. Needless to say, this God. In this parched land they estab- is happening today around the world. oppressive environment is a tightening lished cooperatives and communities I respect Brigham Young and the early noose that chokes our spirit. that drew the attention of economists Mormons for their courage in the face In this sense, we are living in a the world over. Bellamy, Debs, Shaw and of so much violence against their way of world characterized by the intensifica- other socialists wondered how the Mor- life, their religion, their economy, their tion, radicalization, and universal spread mons did it. They had established equal symbols, and their aspirations. It is the of modernity. One Thai scholar has and just communities without rebellion same struggle we are fighting in Siam. called this “the age of extreme modern- and bloodshed, something that Marxists Buddhists have over the past two ism,” whereby “modernity now relies thought impossible. What the early Mor- millennia developed an economic sys- simply on its own justification and mons were doing was not Marxist, com- tem that was congruent with their spiri- devours all other forms of actualization munist, nor socialist, but be careful, it tual objectives. Around the same time of human beings.”3 wasn’t capitalist either. It was unique. It that Utah was pressured to comply with As an antidote, I want people was Mormon. It was relevant—relevant U.S. economic policies, King Mongkut worldwide, especially the ones that are to the Latter-day Saint people. It was the of Siam (known in the West as the king propagating, or indoctrinated by, con- order that they willingly chose based in the King and I) was forced to sign the sumerism, to see the spiritual leaders on their spiritual aspirations and under- Bowring Treaty with Britain. In both of the world as enlightened individuals standing of God. I hope my understand- cases the first thing to go was the unique who can help us navigate the complexi- ing is not wrong. economic systems that both groups had ties of the market place to come out hap-

“Buddhists have over the past two millennia developed The settlers of developed. And with the collapse of pier, healthier, and wiser in the end. The an economic Utah were anxious these economic orders went the ideals spiritual leaders of the world are united system to create their own of simplicity and self-reliance that had in their opposition of ignorance and economic system been trademarks of both the Thai and the materialism. that was despite the popular Mormon people. In a world where the religion of economic trends that congruent n Siam—I never call my country Thai- consumerism forces millions of conver- seemed, according to with their land, a name imposed on us by dicta- sions by threat of poverty, we must hold Brigham Young, to cor- I tors—we are still hoping to overcome tight to our spiritual identities. In this spiritual rupt society and lead the greed and violence that came with age, other religions are not a threat. Bud- people away from the objectives.” self-interested economism. But our effort dhists, Christians, Hindus, and Muslims Kingdom of God. But to contain the ill-effects of moderniza- should be united in the effort to prevent it wasn’t long before the people of the world from falling into President Buchanan tion and secularization has, in the eyes of the abominable religion of greed. We commissioned an many educated people, become a sign of must each start, with our own traditions, army to put down the weakness, immaturity, and inferiority. It supposed Mormon is evident that the global economy does to understand just exactly how we can rebellion and bring not really cherish a diversity of ideas, apply our religion to the pressing social Utah back in line. For cultures, aspirations, and views—only problems of our age. better or worse, free- a diversity of products: Coca-Cola or Please allow me to speak from my market capitalism was Pepsi-Cola. Spirituality worldwide is own experience. As a Buddhist, I feel established in Utah being suffocated by the new global that the teachings of the Buddha have religion of consumerism, which insists much to say about mitigating suffering

14 in the world. For this reason, I feel that dhism—much to the chagrin of many To relate this concept to current eco- the teachings of the Buddha are, for lack economists, including the president of nomic and developmental trends, the of a better description, timeless. And so, the World Bank. Buddhists would argue that small is beau- in this dialogue of civilizations, I would With the right understanding of tiful.5 This meshes well with other values like to share what I feel development simplicity, one leads a peaceful life and such as self-reliance and self-sufficiency. practitioners in both the East and the relates harmoniously with all sentient Furthermore, environmental sustainabil- West, at both the local and global levels, beings and the natural environment: ity and socioeconomic justice are more could discover in the simplicity of Bud- one does not abuse others in thought, conceivable when growth is tempered dhism. By simplicity, I mean the free- speech, and action. For example, if one or limited, when humility and simplic- dom from attachments to material and upholds simplicity, one will understand ity are promoted. Without these two sensual pleasures. that selfish consumption, among other qualities, the insatiable quest for greater We have to understand that all things, endangers the earth’s biosphere returns propel corporations to globalize material gains, personal honors, sensual and strengthens the hands of corpora- their businesses and investments at the pleasures, and worldly praises are ulti- tions and institutions that give primacy expense of the environment and even mately linked to loss, ignominy, suffer- to the accumulation of profits over the human beings if they could get away ing, and denunciation, respectively. The well being of the people. One must be with doing so. Buddha called these the eight worldly mindful of how to create wealth and Simplicity and humility imply conditions and stated that whoever is how to manage it. One must learn to respect for all sentient beings. Once enslaved by any of these shackles will give more than to take. One’s simple we are humble, we co-exist with each never be free from the cycle of suffering. yet beautiful lifestyle then merges with other as equals. The belief that one Simplicity contributes to the realization goodness, engendering a pure form of is exceptional or superior, for what-

“Struggle, tension, conflict, and confusion are inherent of the noble life because it guides us beauty, which paves the way towards ever reason, is a major in the down the Noble Eightfold Path.4 individual and social enlightenment. obstacle that hinders process of Contrary to the rationale of consum- ust as important as simplicity is humil- meaningful and com- becoming erism where more is considered better Jity. By humility I do not mean the passionate human relations. Blinded by and where the quality or number of per- opposite of vanity or arrogance because and being.” superiority, one sees sonal gains and possessions marks the all opposites contain each other. Thus the world in absolute good life, one learns from the Buddha one cannot know humility by simply terms. If one is always to constantly reduce one’s attachments rejecting pride. Struggle, tension, con- right or good, then the and to envision the good life as the suc- flict, and confusion are inherent in the others are always cessful overcoming of attachment to per- process of becoming and being. In other wrong or evil. From sonal gains and possessions. Free from words, the very process of becoming what I understand, these attachments, one is endowed with must be negated in order to really be. the Book of Mormon sufficient time and energy to nurture the In Christian terms, you must lose your shows the awful fate seeds of peace within. Thus, from the life in order to gain it. However, the Bud- of those societies Buddhist perspective a prosperous per- dhist negation of ego runs counter to who are prideful and son is 1) self-reliant, 2) has self-dignity the basic Western philosophic notion feel themselves more and is proud of his or her lifestyle, 3) is of self-interested growth and progress, righteous than others humble, content, and values simplicity, which emphasizes ego. Small wonder who are perceived as 4) is generous, and 5) is ever mindful. that many economists and developmen- evil. We need to look Note well that income and wealth are tal experts once condemned Buddhism as at ourselves from afar not indicators of prosperity in Bud- antithetical to modernity.

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 15 and see our own failures so that we racial, national, cultural, ideological, and of peace-building to maintain it.”6 can take whatever measures to right religious boundaries and form a circle Yes, we must have faith in the ability our wrongs. All this needs to be done of the virtuous, or what the Buddhists and need of ordinary people to dream or before we can ever hope that we can rid call kalyanamitra. This is tremendously envision alternative futures replete with other nations of evil. important, because some of the most physical, social, and spiritual freedom. Additionally, valuing equality, we threatening menaces to human well Ralf Dahrendorf, a German politi- will not treat the suffering of individuals being and environmental sustainability cal scientist who was the director of the or groups walking on the fringes of soci- are transnational in character. And the London School of Economics, once said: ety with callous equanimity. Rather, we circle of the virtuous must be extended The road to freedom is not a road will struggle to establish more just and to incorporate members of the power from one system to another, but one equal societies. Equality does not always elites. They must be treated as friends, that leads into the open spaces of have to mean sameness. It can also refer not as enemies or demons. And together infinite possible futures, some of to justice. Equality with justice requires we shall embark on changes, however which compete with each other. treating people differently under dif- incremental, which will awaken the Their competition makes history. divine man—as opposed to the natural ferent circumstances, such as providing The battle of systems is an illiberal man—in each and every one of us. unequal shares to unequals. However, aberration. To drive the point home what is important is that we are trying o sum up, globalization that is with utmost force: if capitalism is a to create a more equal society, but you Tnonviolently and democratically system, then it needs to be fought may already understand this concept. organized from the bottom up can be as hard as communism had to be From what I have been told about Mor- quite beneficial and enlightened and can fought. All systems mean serfdom, monism, the Latter-day Saint cannot serve as a vital force that helps promote including the “natural” system of

“Equality does not always have to mean sameness.

It can also be saved so long as global peace and preserve human exis- the total “market order” in which refer to inequality exists in his tence. Needless to say, our objective is no one tries to do anything other or her society. That, in to strengthen and elevate the divine ele- than guard certain rules of the justice.” my opinion, is a revo- ments within us all and to put to rest our game discovered by a mysterious lutionary revelation. It greedy and criminal elements. The sun sect of economic advisers.7 is a timely revelation of new ideas and truth cannot rise with- I agree. I think that until we are that might serve to out inter-religious cooperation, support, all fully enlightened beings, we need a alleviate a lot of the compassion, and dedication, or without plurality of systems that work accord- pain that has come concerted efforts constantly demanding ing to local conditions. Line upon with more orthodox for the primacy of the divine agenda line we will in good time arrive at the soteriologies. over the mundane agendas of institu- same understanding of truth. Thus, Once we under- tions of greed and power. my Buddhist friends must begin with stand that every being As Elise Boulding, a leading Ameri- everyone truly practicing to understand is involved in our can Quaker, has observed: himself or herself. In the Buddhist personal salvation, We need images of the peoples of the tradition, we call it citta sikkha or the we are motivated to planet living gently but adventur- contemplation on mind. Meditation is think more of our ously on the earth, walking the ways important for us to attain the insight, community and our of peace in a future still filled with the qualities of which include alert- environment. With challenges. It is as essential to spend ness and criticality. Critical self-aware- new humility we will time dreaming the possible shapes of ness is thus important for us, and this be able to transcend that future as it is to learn the skills

16 will help the practitioners to feel more This lecture was given Wednesday, empowered to criticize themselves. 15 April 2004 at the Kennedy Center. From the critical understanding of Notes one’s self, we begin to understand 1. For her work as director of the Ladakh our community, society, economy, and Project, she shared the 1986 Right Liveli- eventually our world. Bearing in mind hood Award, otherwise known as the Alter- native Nobel Prize (see http://www.right- the solutions, we also feel hopeful to livelihood.se). She is currently the director articulately use all nonviolent means of the International Society for Ecology and to achieve a peaceful end. Culture in London. 2. Samuel P. Huntington is the Albert J. Buddhist tenets help me feel closer Weatherhead III University Professor and to and eventually to be at-one with my Chairman of the Harvard Academy of International and Area Studies, founder environment and with others. In some and co-editor for seven years of the journal, Buddhist traditions, it is believed that Foreign Policy, and author of the Clash of every being embodies a Buddha nature Civilizations and Remaking of World Order (1996). or the potential to attain the highest 3. Vira Somboon. understanding. Thinking this way, I can 4. 1) Right Understanding, 2) Right feel some connection or relationship to Thoughts, 3) Right Speech, 4) Right Action, everybody regardless of rank, gender, or 5) Right Livelihood, 6) Right Effort, 7) Right Mindfulness, and 8) Right Concentration. status. Buddhist teaching is the core that 5. I have wrestled with this issue for permeates all my activities. It is indeed a decades. For the English-speaking audience, very simple magic starting with proper see the relevant essays in among my works,

“Once every breath is attuned breathing. I believe Brigham Young A Socially Engaged Buddhism (Bangkok: The to the thought quite highly of mindful breath- Inter-religious Commission for Development, 1988), A Buddhist Vision for Renewing Society spiritual, ing as well and stated that he wanted to (Bangkok: The Inter-religious Commission see every man and woman breathe in the for Development, 1994), and Global Healing: then our Spirit of God in every breath.8 That was, Essays and Interviews on Structural Violence, Social Development and Spiritual Transformation actions will he felt, the way to perfection. I feel this is (Bangkok: The Inter-religious Commission for be proper.” right. Once every breath is attuned to the Development and Sathirakoses Nagapradipa Foundation, 1999). spiritual, then our actions will be proper. 6. As quoted in Educating Beyond Violent Spirituality must be at the heart of Futures, Francis P. Hutchinson, Routledge, our engagement and our struggles. 1996, p. 253. I think the Latter-day Saints’ Doctrine 7. Dahrendorf, Ralf. As quoted in US and Covenants sums it up nicely with Foreign Policy in World History, David Ryan, Routledge, 2000. the commandment to be “anxiously 8. Young, Brigham. “True Character of engaged in a good cause.”9 This is the God—Erroneous Ideas Entertained towards essence of what I call Socially Engaged Him,” remarks made in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, 23 February 23 1862, Reported Spirituality. Once the people of the by G. D. Watt, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, pp. world, whether Buddhist, Latter- day 288–89. Saint, Hindu, Humanist, or whatever, 9. Section 58:27. endeavor to be anxiously engaged in a good spiritual cause, we will be well on our way to finding lasting joy. ˚

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 17 byby JocelynJocelyn StaynerStayner

xposure cultivates understanding. That is the guiding Billingsley. “And then I went to work for a small verification force behind Beyond the Border, a five-film series agency in London, just for the summer. The biggest problem Eproduced by the Kennedy Center in partnership with was that I wanted to be out on the ground.” Combat Films and Research (CF&R). The series seeks to Following his short stint in the typical analysts’ desk immerse viewers in cultures and allow them to experience— position, Billingsley started traveling to the world’s action via documentary—people, events, ideas, and places far areas. “I’ve always liked being places, and I don’t think it’s an beyond their own surroundings. adrenaline issue,” he said. “It’s more of an investigative issue. “One of our responsibilities at the center is to support, I want to know what went down.” research, and create outreach products—ways we can reach In 1993, on a research trip to the Republic of Georgia, out to the community and inform them about international Billingsley found his new calling—film. “I went to the affairs,” explained Jeff Ringer, Kennedy Center director. Republic of Georgia, where there were wars in progress “We’ve been doing a nice job with lectures and conferences, in Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” he reported. “I had a but those will only go so far; we wanted to try to push it a fascination with making documentaries, although I had never little further. That’s how this series evolved.” made one and had never taken a film class, so I didn’t really A friendship with CF&R founder and Beyond the Border know what to do. I bought a little high-8 handy-cam and director, Dodge Billingsley, was a natural match to bring started to shoot images. Then I also realized it was a great the series into production. A frequent lecturer at the center, way to document what goes on in conflict zones.” Billingsley received his bachelor’s degree in peace studies Beyond the Border, which debuted on air in September and from Columbia University and his master’s degree in war October, explored the ethics of war, the worldwide practice studies from London’s Kings College. A defense analyst by of armament wholesales, Chinese art and politics, Ukrainian training, he is well acquainted with world travel, starting his expressions of freedom through music, and oil production film-making career as a result of his own interest in recording enhanced by the conflicts surrounding the Caspian Sea. history as a primary witness. “I thought for sure I’d be a Each film in the series was created with a similar purpose: to defense analyst, either in or out of the government,” admitted broaden the understanding and appreciation for the issues

18 and cultures exposed. The reader is invited to join us beyond about the arms markets,” said Billingsley. “However, I’ve the border. never seen anything that takes you to an arms bazaar in the Middle East and lets you watch Libyan guys try to buy tanks Complexities of War from the Ukrainians—to me that’s interesting.” Personal battle footage—including the War in Iraq—and This film also takes an unconventional look at the topic the complex business of war is the focus of “Fog & Friction.” consisting of in-the-moment interviews with the actual sellers “What we tried to do is use the same old story with a little and buyers. “We interviewed people who were there,” said different angle,” reported Billingsley. “We have 140 hours of Billingsley. “No experts, just people who were trying to sell Iraq footage. We could have done a number of Iraq stories. their products. But what we haven’t seen out there is the discussion that “We could have written a story about conventional arms war’s complicated, why it’s complicated, and what can we do trade and gotten all the classic footage from the national in spite of it.” archives and interviewed the defense officials and how they do “Fog & Friction” utilizes Carl Phillip Gottlieb von deals, but that’s so obvious,” Billingsley conceded. “Instead, Clausewitz’ theories. Clausewitz was a German military we went to Abu Dhabi’s IDEX arms fair, which takes place in strategist who served under both Napoleon’s empire and the Middle East. We shot random pieces, and we built visual Prussia. People shortened his theories by saying, ‘what can modules with multiple shot sequences—segments that were go wrong, will go wrong’ in the fog of battle said Billingsley. visually interesting, and then we put the words on to tell the Whereas in normal life, small incidents have insignificant story. This was completely experimental, because we basically consequences, war makes every moment count. “In war, cut it first and then wrote to the images.” when something goes wrong, ten guys die in a vehicle next to Being at the arms market is quite the scene, according you. It’s like rolling over a land mind: it’s an accident, to Billingsley. Sellers from nations at war often set up their goods next to each other. “The arms market is bizarre because many of these states could be enemies. And it’s interesting that there is an Indian pavilion with Indians selling weapons and a Pakistani pavilion with Pakistanis selling weapons. Indians and Pakistanis hate each other. There’ll probably always be a war between their nations and many analyst friends of mine feel but people are always talking about justification for this or like if there’s going to be a nuclear exchange in the world, it’ll that in war,” he explained. “We try to make a point in the film be between India and Pakistan,” explained Billingsley. “They that you can train, but that’s really the best you can do. War hate each other, and they’ve been threatening to nuke each is still war, and it’s messy. People will die, civilians will die. other for decades. But here they are at the arms bazaar saying, We’ve been sold a bill of sale that it’s quick and clean, and it’s ‘Hey, how are you, my friend?’ They’re there, and they may just not.” not sell to each other, but they’re both out there selling.” Buying Weapons Wholesale Goods on display at the bazaar range from the American- The camera takes you behind the scenes as a witness to made patriot missile system—available for sale only to wholesale arms sales in “Arms Bazaar,” where individuals Israelis—to the “1960s and 1970s Soviet Union junk,” who and countries can make modern warfare a reality. Americans were, according to Billingsley, “retrofitting everything and are often accused of focusing all their energies in their own dumping it on the market.” He continued, “It’s nutty. You backyard. This documentary seeks to expose Americans to the have a couple of Israeli citizens in yarmulkes shopping at practice of international armament sales. “This is interesting, an Arab trade show. The show’s subtleness is fascinating. because it’s a topic people aren’t aware of, and it’s a chance to Viewers can make up their own minds.” introduce them to this strange venue,” said Ringer. “It’s very A Cultural Heritage common all over the world, but we just don’t talk about it Artist Jin Zhilin’s collision with China’s Cultural very much.” Revolution forms a story gathered unexpectedly for “From Billingsley said that knowledge of arms bazaars is not well the Masses to the Masses.” Eric Hyer, an associate professor known outside the defense industry but they are accessible to of political science and Chinese specialist at BYU, explained, the general population. This film will help inform more people “In 2000, Dodge and I started working together on another about the world’s arms markets. “I’ve read a lot of articles documentary about Helen Foster Snow in China. While we

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 19 were in the countryside filming, we were always looking at two major paintings from the period before the Cultural art. I already had an interest in Chinese Socialist revolutionary Revolution that survived because he hid them. art and Dodge had an interest in Russian Socialist The Red Guard considered art “dangerous” and opposing revolutionary art.” One day while perusing an art display, current political view. Art from earlier periods was often the two came across an artist willing to show his art from the destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. “What we’ve Cultural Revolution (1966–76). found out from Chinese scholars is that it’s really important “We were in Yan’an, which is like the Valley Forge of to see this work, because so much of the art in China was Communist China; it’s where Mao consolidated his power destroyed,” said Billingsley. before seizing the country in 1949. While there, we met some Jin’s journey as an artist during turbulent political artists who were displaying their art on the street. It was changes provides a view of history through relevant pieces of okay, but it was dated 1990, so I asked, ‘Do you have any art. Interviews between Hyer and Jin, footage of China, and work from the 60s or 70s?’” said Billingsley. “We went over to paintings by Jin and others compose this artistic analysis. one artist’s house, and the artwork was in terrible condition, Commerce and Creative Expression rolled up in a closet, on a dirt floor.” Entirely in Ukrainian with English subtitles, “Ukraine Hyer also described how the artist “pulled this huge Sonata” explores musical expression under Soviet oppression, roll of art out from under the bed. It had been under there the lack of funding when the old system collapsed, and the for years, and he didn’t even look at it. He started unfolding challenges presented in Ukraine’s new capitalist system. “In it, and we asked ‘Can we buy some of this?’ and he said, the Soviet system, musicians didn’t have to worry whether ‘Sure, it’s just going to be thrown away in the garbage.’ Then they would have money, because they were state-sponsored we asked who his teacher was, and he told us, so we went artists,” said Billingsley. “They did have restrictions, and we to Beijing and contacted the teacher—Jin Zhilin.” The man talked to a couple of musicians who said they lost work and whose story became “From the Masses to the Masses.” Though originally the film was to focus on a Yan’an never performed; they were starving to death until they found group of five artists who painted together during the jobs in places like a spaghetti factory.” Cultural Revolution, Jin’s compelling story gave the issue Though Soviet regulations were often harsh, in some of art and politics a personal edge. When the Cultural ways, capitalism is not much better. “The capitalist system Revolution occurred, the Red Guard “put down all the allows musicians the freedom of expression, but it isn’t always people who were in authority above them, including the beneficial in the end. Musicians say they have too much teachers,” said Billingsley. choice and when it comes right down to it, they have to write Jin, an art teacher at the Central Academy of Art, was a jingle for McDonald’s to survive. They can’t even create the considered too Western since he was trained in Western oil good music the Soviet system formerly imposed upon them,” painting and taught art with a Western flare. Because of Billingsley lamented. his training, he was tortured in an effort to “rehabilitate” Subtitles forces viewers to read the text in order to follow him. “Jin Zhilin was a teacher, an art teacher, and then he the movie. “There are a lot of Ukrainian voices in the film, was persecuted and beaten and tortured everyday for four but we wanted a Ukrainian to guide us through in English,” months,” said Billingsley. “He tried to kill himself but didn’t explained Billingsley. He had to make the decision between succeed because he was too weak to throw himself out the subtitles—a risk given the audience’s required participation— window, so he was kind of hanging in the window and he or English. “I think it’s a fascinating show, but you have to couldn’t get out. Jin now says, ‘Had I been a little stronger, read it. Nowadays people are getting more into subtitles. I may have thrown myself out the window—I would Style-wise we could have dubbed it over, but I still think have fallen four stories, and I wouldn’t be here today.’” there’s power in hearing what people say even when you After serving eight years of hard labor, Jin has only one or don’t understand it,” he added.

20 An Environmental and Political Timebomb Georgia doesn’t have a lick of oil, but the fact that the pipeline A geopolitical piece, “Faultlines & Pipelines” ventures will go right through the middle and then cut south means into the war-torn Caucasus Mountains: home to the that Georgia will make a lot of money—maybe billions—just Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia, Chechnya, and other peoples by letting them use the territory to transit the oil.” One in conflict. In the midst of this turmoil lies one of the largest caveat for having the pipeline transit, each country is also known oil reserves in the Caspian Sea, east of Azerbaijan. responsible for protecting the pipeline from sabotage. Supported by a consortium of oil companies, including Conclusion those from the U.S. and Turkey, the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline Covering international issues from war and politics to art has tipped the delicate geopolitical balance in a region and music, Beyond the Border represents a rare glimpse into a emerging from Soviet Union dissolution. world that is foreign to most Americans. A panel of experts, This landlocked sea has presented a challenge for moderated by Ringer, brought the series to a close with pipeline planners to determine the best route to get the oil discourse. “At the end of the series, we brought a group of out—geographically and politically. “They could go through experts together who spoke on some of the key global issues Afghanistan, which is unrealistic; they could try Iran, which right now, referring back to the series but not solely focused is against U.S. policy; or they could try Armenia, which won’t on the subjects covered in the series,” said Ringer. happen because they have a civil war with Azerbaijan. and The series aired on Utah’s KBYU—a PBS affiliate— they’re never going to give Armenia a dime of transit fees,” and is expected to be released in DVD format for personal explained Billingsley. “Currently, there is only one way: north and educational use, with teacher guides designed for and west through Georgia and then straight down to Turkey, classroom instruction. which is a ridiculously long route, but it’s the only politically Though this is the Kennedy Center’s first attempt at viable route, so that’s where the pipeline is.” outreach in this form, Ringer said he is optimistic about the The pipeline project—connecting Baku, Azerbaijan series and is hopeful for similar opportunities in the future. with Ceyhan, Turkey—is facing great opposition from “I hope this is just the beginning. I hope Beyond the Border will environmental and political protestors alike. Environmental become an annual series, but it’s not inexpensive, so we’ll issues aside, funding the pipeline—billions of dollars of have to see how it goes,” he said. “We think this will help us which came from World Bank—has been a focus of debate reach a new audience, and it will help us fulfill an untapped since the pipeline was announced. “The pipeline is estimated portion of the center’s mission—a national outreach through to be a $19 billion project, the world’s largest nonmilitary production of information.” ˚ public works project,” said Billingsley. “It took a long time For more information on Beyond the Border, see the web site to even get it to work, to make it hold up politically. And to at http://www.beyondtheborder.org and for more information on complicate things, the Caspian Sea’s divided up between CF&R, see their web site at http://www.combatfilms.com. Turkmenistan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. They all claim the oil fields. Russia would like to see the pipeline come through their territory and gain from the oil, but the West has the money to get the oil out of the fields, and they don’t want the pipeline in Russia.” Despite the project’s faults, the countries through which the pipeline will run are more than willing to accept the proceeds coming from transit fees. “The pipeline had to go through three countries to get out, but all the countries were happy to have it. In fact, countries were fighting over it,” said Billingsley. “It represents billions of dollars in transit fees.

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 21 Personality Profi le Rabbi Frederick L. Wenger Midwest to Far East by J. Lee Simons

orn in 1940 in Rock Island, Illinois, one might ask, “How Bdid a Jewish boy from the midwest become a rabbi?” Rabbi Frederick L. Wenger says that was relatively simple.

“My father was in the wholesale produce business and passed

away in 1954, when I was fourteen years old. After high school,

I went to the University of Chicago, where I graduated in

political science and then went on to the Hebrew Union College

in Cincinnati and became a Reform rabbi in 1969.”

22 However, that deceptively simple of good conversations.” Although they Wenger the most was the people. “What beginning has taken him across the U.S. never traveled together, Wenger found absolutely blew me away were the and to continents in the Far East and he and Latter-day Saint chaplains were people—the wide variety of different Middle East. “After being ordained a often on bases at the same time. kinds of people from all over the world rabbi, I joined the U.S. Army, spending a Those experiences in Vietnam left who came here to build a Jewish state. year at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and an indelible mark on Wenger, as they I hadn’t known what to expect. If you a year in Vietnam as a Jewish chaplain,” did on all who served there. “First take a look at my life up to that point, he explained. Rabbi Wenger was in Fort of all, it intensified my faith in God, I’d read about Israel; I’d been priming Jackson during the height of the Vietnam very, very strongly. I put my life, and for it,” he exclaimed. “I discovered conflict, the post where many New York other people’s lives, in God’s hands. I it was much more urbanized than I draftees were sent. also saw what a powerful thing strong remembered it being in books. I pictured Here was a midwestern rabbi in faith could be,” he reflected. “Many an idyllic situation with people living the deep south serving as chaplain of our GIs were on what they called slow-paced lives in the countryside or in to a congregation of east coast Jews, stand down, which meant that there Jerusalem, the Holy City, or in Tel-Aviv Wenger described. “I would get up on was very little active fighting going on, with its old wide streets like they used a Saturday morning to confront 200 GIs while things were being negotiated. The to be in the 1950s and ‘60s. Instead, there there and say ‘Good morning fellow opportunities for temptation, in terms of were skyscrapers and traffic—hustle and Jews. How many of you are here from drugs, unfaithfulness to proper family bustle. The Israeli people were anxious Brooklyn? How many of you are here standards, etc., were all around. Our to welcome us as a young couple. We from the Bronx? How many of you are little Jewish chapel program, as well as had a wonderful, wonderful time.” here from Staten Island? How many of all the others, helped keep the young Living in the Holy Land also you are from Long Island? How many of men and women where they should be. had an impact on Wenger’s religious you are from Queens? How many from Once you’ve been through something perspective. “My experiences in Israel the rest of the country?” like that, nothing in life shakes you very have intensified my faith in not only Wenger, who did not fit the much. It’s like, ‘What God’s going to do Judaism but also my faith in the stereotype, had only been to the east with you, He’s going to do with you.’” unfinished business that God has for coast for an internship while he was Midwest to Middle East the Jewish people: that somehow this at the Union of American Hebrew particular group of people has a divine At home in the U.S., Wenger Congregations (now Union for Reform mission. That broke down the barriers considered his options. “Originally, I Judaism1) as a student and later for in my own mind between religious and thought that I was going to go to Israel. basic training at Fort Hamilton. “I non-religious Jews. Israelis distinguish But after being in the service, in a guess that every single Jew that lives between religious Jews and non-religious foreign culture, especially the situation outside of New York looks on New Jews, by which they mean Orthodox in Vietnam, I decided to stay in the York as the capital of the American Jews and Non-Orthodox Jews. states,” he said. “I went to Milwaukee Jewish community. When doing basic “This is a product of an improper as an assistant rabbi at a large reform training at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, understanding of what Jewish synagogue called Congregation Emanu- I thought you could walk off the base secularism means. Jewish secularism is El B’ne Jeshurun. I was there for three and find a synagogue and immediately not, in my opinion, the same as general years.” His decision proved to be guided be surrounded by Jewish Brooklyn,” he secular culture. It is permeated with by divine providence. “Obviously, I took said. “As it turned out, at the foot of the Jewish values and Jewish traditions. For the best part of Milwaukee with me! Verrazano-Narrows bridge in Brooklyn example, someone might say, ‘I’m not Rochelle is a Milwaukee girl. We married is Bay Ridge, and Bay Ridge is solid religious, but we stay home and have after my second year there, and the next Catholic—blocks and blocks and miles a family dinner every Friday night.’ Or year we went to Israel,” he declared. and miles with a Catholic church on say, ‘On New Year’s day and the Day For nine months, the Wengers every corner.” of Atonement, we’ll be at synagogue.’ lived in Jerusalem. “We experienced One of four rabbis serving in Or perhaps, ‘Of course, we believe in the country, and I studied Hebrew at Vietnam, Wenger was stationed in the moral law,’” he explained. “I think Ulpan Etzion and Jewish studies at Saigon, but he flew out to find his flock there is a parallel in that way between Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute in various remote locations. “In the Jews and Latter-day Saints, as there of Religion,” he said. In addition to the army, LDS chaplains weren’t assigned to is a distinct ‘Mormon Culture’—a usual visits to the holy sites: the Western locations. They were under a command Mormon sense of community that wall, Masada, the Temple Mount, and to go all over the country looking for transcends religiosity. A person may Jericho, where he could put a context Mormon troops. I was looking for Jews,” not be considered ‘active’ in The to the Bible, the thing that interested he said. “We had opportunities for a lot Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 23 Saints, nevertheless, he or she can that I enjoyed it,” he affirmed. “I taught was my mother’s paraphrase of Cio- be permeated with the values of the introduction to Judaism, Old Testament, Cio-San,” he recalled. “It’s interesting, culture.” Wenger added that this has and the Bible as literature. I tried to too, because that love of opera came been apparent in the understanding of teach the teachings of Jesus, but it was full circle last summer when the Utah Jewish life that his BYU students have not my greatest success.” He also taught Festival Opera in Logan did Verdi’s as compared to his non-LDS students at Hebrew adult education classes. Nabucco—his version of the Jews in Westminster College. From West Virginia, they spent Babylon. They asked if I would talk Israelis epitomize this sense of a year and a half at a synagogue in about the Babylonian exile. Opera and identity and community. “Israel has Kansas City that folded into another music and old phonographs and LPs that in spades. For example, the Israeli congregation, and they ended up in have been a hobby of mine for a long, government is always in danger of Chicago, close to his roots in Rock long time.” splitting up and dividing and self- Island. “Chicago was a very wonderful Living along the Wastach Front destructing, and yet it never does. group of folks, but I was not completely eventually brought Wenger to teach Because underneath the inter-party satisfied being one of forty congregations at BYU due to the initiative of Donald squabbles, there is a common sense of on the north shore,” remarked Wenger. Holsinger, a former Kennedy Center national unity that empowers them to “Another rabbi in Chicago is like being director. “What has not surprised me at fight like cats in a sack with each other,” the bishop of a ward in Provo, as BYU, number one, is the seriousness of Wenger noted. “And there is a common opposed to being the bishop of a ward in the student body. Number two, there is vision defined in part by Judaism and Brooklyn.” an overall literacy regarding the fields in part by Zionism.” Wenger has taught Home in Salt Lake City that I am interested in, whether it be on both those subjects at universities in Torah, Zionism, or the Jewish faith,” In time, Wenger received another Israel and the U.S. he responded. “Obviously, BYU is a phone call, saying, “Fred, you place that takes faith seriously, and the Synagogues and know how you were the rabbi of a University Teaching students, most of them, I have had, work Reform congregation merging with At the conclusion of his studies in very, very hard. There’s no question a conservative congregation in West Israel, the Wenger’s returned to the U.S. of work not being turned in on time Virginia, well there’s one in Utah that’s “My home synagogue was conservative, or things not being done in a careful, looking for a rabbi.” When he was an and my training and my convictions are motivated way.” undergraduate in 1962, Wenger had reform. While I was in Israel, I received He also had many opportunities traveled from Stanford to Chicago. “I a phone call, ‘Fred, you might have for community service in Utah, took the Greyhound and went through something to bring to these folks in having served on the Martin Luther Salt Lake City, where I went to the terms of your own background.’ Two King Human Rights Commission, the Tabernacle and heard the choir. What a synagogues were merging into one in Religious Freedoms Committee of beautiful place. When the call came in Huntington, West Virginia. We tried it the Utah State Legislature, and many 1987, I wondered, ‘What would it be like out for a period that led to seven years,” other civic organizations. And he has to live there?’” He settled in as rabbi to he said. “Our children were born there. served on the boards of major Jewish Congregation Kol Ami. We have a city mouse and a country organizations as well. Salt Lake City’s cultural climate mouse. Miriam lives in New York, proved to be a good match for Wenger, Retirement and Opportunities where she is an editorial assistant with for Service who grew up in a household filled a publishing house. Haim is a medivac with opera. “The real truth of this one When Rochelle developed breast pilot in Alaska.” is that when my dad and my mother cancer, the chemotherapy led to In West Virginia, Wenger received were courting, they went to Chicago to congestive heart failure—all of which led his first opportunity to teach at Marshall see Madame Butterfly. And we listened them to reevaluate their priorities. “We University. “That was the first exposure to opera recordings on Saturday looked at each other and said, ‘Listen, is I had to college teaching. And I found afternoons. ‘I’d be so sad if he not come’ it really our aim in life, no matter how

24 many years we have with each other or rural, primitive, backward place. And, of the most beautiful places on earth not, to have me spending five nights of in addition, to get out of high school, but in very, very isolated circumstances. the week in meetings?’ Life as a rabbi they have to learn English,” he quipped. They had one rabbi for sixteen years. He is like being called as a bishop—only “The kids are fast. Those young people was wonderfully successful there. The it’s for life!” he exclaimed. “I decided to are magnificent; they’re wonderful. One next one was not so well fitted. Now see if I could do something different. I of the reasons why they’re at Hadassah- they’re taking their time to find the next retired, and God was good to us. She got Neurim is because their families have one.” Wenger is also teaching adult better. And so as soon as she was better, decided that they want the kids to be in education Hebrew and the history of we said, ‘You know what? We can do a more Israeli society than they would Israel during his Alaska stays. this.’ And we took off for Israel.” be in their home. One third of the kids In retirement, Rabbi Fred and That was fall 2003. What they found are from the former Soviet Union, some Rochelle Wenger are far from the in Israel was an opportunity to teach at of whom are there because they want to rocking chairs on the porch motif. In Hadassah Neurim,2 a youth village near train to be Olympic athletes—one of the addition to his commute to Anchorage, Netanya, on the Mediterranean Sea. “If programs offered by Russian coaches in they plan to return this winter for three you look at a map of Israel and find Tel- track and field. months to teach at Hadassah Neurim. Aviv, go north along the Mediterranean While in Israel, the Wengers began He summed it up this way, saying, “At Sea and you’ll find Netanya. Then receiving e-mail from Anchorage. “When age sixty-four, I’m finding myself with a north of Netanya is Hadera. In-between Haim went to Alaska, naturally, he went life that’s moving in all different kinds Netanya and Hadera, you’ll find our to a synagogue. Their rabbi had just of exciting directions.” ˚ school.” They taught English and left, and one of the congregation asked, Notes Judaism to fourteen- to eighteen-year- ‘What is your father doing?’ ‘Well, he’s 1. The Union of American Hebrew old students. “Every single Israeli high retired from Kol Ami in Salt Lake City, Congregations was founded in Cincinnati in school kid has to learn English. They Utah, and he’s teaching.’ ‘What’s he 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise. Representing can’t get out of high school without it. doing that for? We have no rabbi here; an estimated 1.5 million Jews, at the 2003 And, naturally, they hate it. Like all kids we need him,’” said Wenger. Before biennial convention the general assembly approved the name change. The union has who take required languages in school! long, the congregation contacted him grown from an initial membership of thirty- English is not the most popular thing. directly. “We heard from your son that four congregations in twenty-eight cities to Rochelle and I volunteered as adjuncts you might be available to help us out for more than 900 congregations in the United in the English Department. These are the High Holy Days, for our bar/bat- States, Canada, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and kids who are disadvantaged in some mitzvahs, do some counseling, and teach the Virgin Islands. way, because they’re orphaned, because some converts.” 2. Jointly owned by Hadassah Zionist they’re poor. They must show a social Last spring, Wenger began the long Women’s Organization and the Jewish Agency and run by a nonprofit association, Haddasah worker, or a social work department, commute between Salt Lake City and Neurim is one of five Youth Aliyah Villages that they would be better off in a Anchorage for Passover. He then let the originally established to care for children residential setting away from their Kennedy Center know that he would rescued from Nazi Germany or orphans home,” Wenger described. not return to teach until a full-time whose parents were killed in the Holocaust. “The best students are kids who are rabbi could be found. “It’s difficult to The focus is now on at-risk children. culturally isolated, like Ethiopian Jewish encourage rabbis who are trained as we Hadassah Neurim serves 260 boarding students and 240 day students and is one of kids. A third of the school is Ethiopian. are trained to want to live in Alaska—far the largest youth villages in Israel. Most of them have been in Israel under away from colleagues. We don’t have the five years. They learn Hebrew, because kind of hierarchical system by which the that’s the native language of the country, major Jewish organizations appoint and and they’re learning how to function assign and send someone out to Alaska. in this fast-paced, Israeli society after The person has to agree,” said Wenger. coming from Ethiopia, which is a very “A rabbi must be prepared to live in one

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 25 ISP Receives Administrators and faculty are Asia has been the region of most New Direction also excited to have Elliot on staff. personal interest to him. As the new “We are pleased to have Lynn join coordinator, he is getting to know Former BYU us,” said Jeff Ringer, director of the the faculty and really starting to administrator center. “His experiences abroad and understand the position as the fall T. Lynn Elliot professionally will be a great asset to rush settles down. has traveled the center.” “This is great for students who are extensively ISP recently made adjustments looking to create their own program overseas to to their administrative staff to more than in other areas,” Davis CAMPUS prepare him better serve departments and said. “A strength of the program is for his role students involved in the many study that it can meet diverse positions and as the new abroad, international volunteers, needs.” He hopes to increase publicity International international internships, and and help both students and faculty Study Programs international field studies programs. more aware of the program. He also (ISP) director is working toward more faculty and assistant director for the New Coordinators for coordination and understanding Kennedy Center. “It is a thrill for me Degree Programs between international study to come back to the center, where I Three international degree programs. studied as a graduate student almost programs are excited to receive Davis stressed that internships are twenty years ago,” said Elliot. “I new coordinators this year. James significant, and every student in the believed strongly in the mission of A. Davis, Asian studies; Darren program is required to complete one the center then and this belief has G. Hawkins, international studies; before graduation. “Internships are only grown over time.” and Thomas E. “Ted” Lyon, Latin important not only for networking, While a student at BYU, Elliot American studies, join the Kennedy but also because they give students joined the International Folk Dance Center for a three-year commitment. the opportunity to travel,” Davis said. Ensemble on a tour of Japan, Korea, He is working with students and and the Philippines. By the time Asian Studies faculty to continue facilitating a great he received a BA in economics and James A. program. The Asian studies major a master’s degree in international Davis took over currently has thirty students enrolled. relations, he had toured twenty the Asian studies Davis sums up his challenge, “My countries and discovered a strong coordinator job is to start coordinating.” interest in international education. position while His next step was to pursue maintaining a International Relations a PhD in foreign affairs from the strong interest Darren G. University of Virginia. While in geography. Hawkins comes to completing his doctorate, Elliot Currently the international served as an assistant director for a an associate relations study abroad program in Poland. professor in coordinator Elliot previously served as the Geography position with a coordinator for performance tours Department at BYU, Davis strong background with Performing Arts Management specializes in cultural geography and in political science. in 1991. In this capacity, he arranged tourism studies. A University of tours for BYU performing groups “I’ve always had an interest in Utah graduate, in over forty countries, including Asian studies,” said Davis. That Hawkins groundbreaking tours to Vietnam, interest was piqued when he served completed his Indonesia, Armenia, and West Africa. a mission to Japan in 1973. Upon undergraduate work with a double He left BYU in 2001 to serve as the returning home, he double majored major in political science and Spanish. associate director and study abroad in geography and Asian studies at He received a master’s and a PhD director for the Utah Valley State BYU and graduated in 1978. Davis from the University of Wisconsin— College International Center. found this background proved Madison, both in political science. “I am excited to be associated invaluable as he continued his Hawkins taught at Dartmouth College with this program. BYU has one education and his teaching career. and Tulane University before joining of the largest and most innovative Higher education came BYU’s faculty in 1998. university programs for sending through a master’s from California Hawkins claims an interest in students abroad,” said Elliot. “The State University, Fullerton, and a working at BYU from his earliest reason for this, I believe, is that PhD from Arizona State, both in teaching experiences. He discovered BYU’s faculty is more globally geography. He joined BYU’s faculty a connection with the Kennedy oriented than just about any in 1990 within the geography Center through his position in the university in the nation or the department. political science department. Hawkins world.” He assumed his new position found the position as coordinator of in June 2004, replacing Rod Boynton, international relations a natural fit. who had been with ISP since 1981. “The international relations major is Boynton was called to serve as excellent.” Hawkins said. “It’s a nice mission president in Milan, Italy. Photo courtesyBevell—Cambodia of John 26 opportunity to learn what’s going on Lyon is currently a professor Becoming Ambassadors inside other departments.” of Latin American literature in to the World The international relations major the Department of Spanish and Each semester, is only two years old, replacing Portuguese at BYU. He graduated students, the international studies major, from the University of Utah with faculty, and the which had been previously the an undergraduate degree, then community at international relations major—yes, completed a PhD at the University large have the it’s confusing. Found to be too broad, of California—Los Angeles. He opportunity to international studies was redefined went on to teach at the University explore current with a focus on political science and of Oklahoma, the University of events, scholarly economics. Hawkins wants to use Wisconsin, and Glasgow University research, and his new position as a way to “create in Scotland. His published works diplomatic and continue to have high quality on Latin American culture, art, issues through interdisciplinary studies for majors and literature have appeared in the Global with a balance of breadth and depth.” numerous journals and in three Focus Series. “The purpose Other goals include maintaining books, with a fourth one in progress. Formerly called student interest, facilitating faculty Lyon also served as the Kennedy of the Global the International involvement, and breaking down Center’s director of undergraduate Focus Series is Forum Series, boundaries between disciplines. “It’s studies from 1989–96. the noon lectures to impact its so easy to focus on your own special “I firmly believe in international are free and piece of the world,” said Hawkins. education,” Lyon said. He is listeners.” archived online “International relations allows pleased with the program he for convenient faculty to talk across disciplines, inherited, saying it was very well viewing by anyone with an interest which ultimately benefits students run previously, and he hopes to in the topics. as well.” continue that way. Some ideas for “We have tried to narrow the He also enjoys getting to know advancement include increasing scope for lectures, to go beyond the students better and finds his student scholarships, adding more merely ‘international things’ and new role is more hands-on in books to the library and facilitating focus on issues and ideas that are students’ lives, which has proven students studying at foreign more important to informed ‘citizens very rewarding. An open-door policy universities, which has been done of the world,’” said Cory Leonard, is always in place, and Hawkins too little in the past (See “More Title Kennedy Center assistant director. encourages students to come talk VI Opportunities” in this issue). In addition to the Global Focus with him. “I’m here to help,” he said. He would also like to increase Series, “Ambassadorial Insights” International studies currently opportunities for faculty members to and “Area Focus Lectures” hone in has about 320 majors enrolled. go abroad. on important regional issues, and “What I like about the Kennedy the Book of the Semester highlights Latin American Studies Center is the ability to combine significant authors and their works. Ted Lyon, disciplines,” Lyon said. The “The center has offered an coordinator for coordinator position allows Lyon impressive number of lectures Latin American to synthesize subjects he loves highlighting key global issues and studies, has such as history and literature. Lyon new faculty research,” said Leonard. worked sees interdisciplinary teaching as He explained that the real drive extensively with challenging and fun, and more behind the Global Focus Series comes various BYU rewarding to the students. Often from Section 88 of the Doctrine programs. “I faculty are too “compartmentalized” and Covenants, which advocates am thrilled at Lyon said. Single disciplines have studying many different subjects. the opportunity their place, but if they can marry Leonard referred to Elder John A. to again work two related subjects, the benefits are Widtsoe’s explanation of the section, with this exciting enormous for students and faculty. where Widtsoe said that theology is interdisciplinary Lyon is also advising the only one area in which we should be program in the Kennedy Center,” Student Association of Latin educated, and he explained, “God Lyon said. “The privilege of working American Studies. “I find more does not require all His servants to with colleagues and students from delight in teaching students than in become doctors, or professors, or many colleges and departments publishing,” he frankly admitted. even profound students of these excites me.” “When you have completed your subjects, but He expects them to studies, it is most important how know enough of these things to well you think, organize, and be able to magnify their calling as communicate with other people.” His ambassadors to the world” Lyon hopes to accomplish these (Priesthood and Church Government, goals with both the student 1950, pp. 55–56). association and the Latin American Leonard stressed keeping an open Studies program, which currently mind as a listener when approaching has ninety majors enrolled. the lectures because each promises Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Ellsworth—China

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 27 great variety. “We intentionally Book of the Semester health, Garrett is the only writer include such diverse professionals as Announced for who has received all three big “P” journalists, ethicists, businesspersons, Fall 2004 journalism awards—the Peabody, the lawyers, educators, as well as Polk (twice), and the Pulitzer. Since academics from various disciplines,” 1988, Garrett has been on he said. the science writing staff of The purpose of the Global Focus Newsday, where she has Series is to impact its listeners. “The earned numerous awards. lectures are aimed toward anyone Before joining Newsday, CAMPUS who wants to better understand the she spent eight years as world,” said Leonard. “We seek the a science news reporter curious, serious scholar who isn’t for National Public Radio afraid to cross disciplines as well as (NPR) in both San Francisco the student wanting to enrich his or and Los Angeles. her views of the world.” Garrett earned her bachelor’s in biology KC Resource Only a from the University of Mouse-Click Away California—Santa Cruz An interactive map on the and began work on her Kennedy Center main page now graduate degree in the connects to regional pages that then Department of Bacteriology link to individual country pages for and Immunology at the those wishing to learn more about University of California— a specific area of the world, or to Berkeley, though she prepare before planning travel to a never completed her country. Each country page offers degree as she chose to five menus, each relating to BYU’s pursue journalism instead. Both Wesleyan Illinois Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse University and the University of of Global Public Health by award- Massachusetts—Lowell awarded winning journalist Laurie Garrett Garrett doctorates in humane letters was selected as the Kennedy Center’s honoris causa. fall 2004 Book of the Semester. Though she is from Los Angeles, Garrett lectured on the book during Garrett currently lives in Brooklyn International Education Week on 18 Heights, New York City. Her earlier November at the HBLL auditorium. work, the Coming Plague: Newly “This book brings together Emerging Diseases in a World Out several important areas—including of Balance (1994), received rave public health, medicine, and reviews for its poignant insights into infections disease research— involvement: academic, art, athletes, potential plague sources around the through timely insight and alumni, and faculty. Simply visit the world. For more information about analysis,” observed Cory Leonard, Kennedy Center web site at http:// Garrett, visit her web site at http:// Kennedy Center assistant director. kennedy.byu.edu and click on the www.lauriegarrett.com. “Globalization, a dominant force region you would like to explore on Each fall and winter semester, a of our time, forces us to think of the map. Individual countries are new book is selected as the Kennedy health problems solely in terms of listed on the left menu of each region Center’s Book of the Semester. Books local or national systems. These page. Links to Kennedy Center are chosen according to relevancy to topics are global issues, and as we lectures and articles, the International current events, international affairs, see from scenarios of bioterrorist Society, CIA World Factbook, and the and for their overall quality. attacks to the economic impacts of U.S. Department of State Background “The Book of the Semester affords Asian bird flu, the consequences are Notes and Public Announcements an opportunity for non-required enormous and far-reaching.” are included on the right column reading,” commented Jeff Ringer, Published in 2000, in the book, under Related Items. Kennedy Center director. “Our Garrett takes the reader to various hope is that every student, faculty If there is something useful you locations around the world, member, and administrator will would like to see added for a region describing current catastrophic health take the time to read this timely text or specific country, please contact conditions that are creating serious and attend the related lectures and [email protected]. current and potential future global discussions.” health problems. As informative —Guatemala as it is insightful, Betrayal of Trust For more information about the Book of pinpoints the link between health and the Semester, visit http://kennedy.byu. global stability. edu/events/BkofSem. html. Known for her penetrating articles and books dealing with science and Photo courtesyOkura of Eve 28 More Title VI LAS at BYU offers several Photo Contest advantages that faculty believe Opportunities This fall brought another round will be influential in obtaining the Latin of competition in the fifth annual funding. “We have a large number American Kennedy Center photo contest. Of of professors who have spent at studies (LAS) the more than 200 photos entered, least two years in Latin America,” students are only sixteen were selected for announced Lyon. “The reason is hoping to display in the HRCB gallery. The obvious—missions.” BYU also enjoy more top three photos also received cash teaches extensive Portuguese, scholarships, prizes and a spot on the inside a rarity for most large universities, research covers of this issue. and offers studies in opportunities This year marks Quechua, a native and field work the first time women language of Peru and through an dominated first, second, Bolivia, and Guarani, native extensive Title VI and third place in the to Guatemala. grant beginning “The hope contest. First place Title VI grants are given in 2006. Enacted is that by and $100 went to on a three-year basis. If in the 1960s, Title Genevieve Brown’s getting this provided, this grant would VI is legislation “Agua,” an old woman cover 2006–09. The lengthy that provides type of grant, giving her donkey application, to be submitted for nondiscrim- we’ll increase water in Comedero, in November 2005, has ination funding Mexico; second place involvement already been underway for in federally and $75 went to Katie two months. To begin the assisted and interest in Dedrickson’s “The refining process, Lyon will programs, such Street Musician,” a Latin American fly to Washington, D.C., in as education. violinist performing studies.” October and meet with a Under a Title while walking on a Title VI committee to hone VI grant, tightrope on the streets down the application details. institutions and universities may set of London, England; In order to qualify for up a National Resource Center. The and third place and $50 the grant, departments must center would provide funding and went to Allison Horne’s show evidence of a strong direction for extended scholarships, “Mardi Gras Boy,” a program. This means the trips to Latin America, and in-depth young child in costume university must have a LAS research projects for the department. in the midst of confetti library, a supportive faculty, “The hope is that by getting in Binche, Belgium. and a thriving interest this type of grant, we’ll increase “My experience in among the student body. involvement and interest in Latin Mexico has been one “One way to get a grant is American studies,” said Ted Lyon, of the highlights of my to show other things have LAS coordinator and professor of education at Brigham been going on for a while,” Spanish at BYU. Young University. Lyon said. Previously, BYU applied once for this grant There is something the program has been in 2002 but was turned down. To about being immersed supporting students,but increase their chances and make the in a culture that is with the grant, opportunities application stronger, this go-round completely different will skyrocket. “Europe can the department has teamed with the than what you have give fellowships to graduate University of Utah. Lyon assures that experienced that allows students up to $14,000 per both schools are trying to improve room for growth,” student,” stated Lyon. outreach to the local academic explained Brown. “I was Across the country, communities in Utah, as well as living in Comedero, a there are about fifteen of possibly other states. By joining small village in Mexico, these programs in action. together, the universities hope to when I took the picture The University of Arizona, establish a partnership that will help ‘Agua.’ I was actually in University of Southern dispel some of the rivalries between the middle of a literacy lesson, when California—Los Angeles, and a the schools said Lyon. They are the student’s donkey showed up Notre Dame/University of Michigan asking for about $400,000 annually thirsty. Luckily, I had my camera and partnership have implemented the to split between the two schools. snapped the picture.” programs successfully. “It’s a terrific Ideas for using the money include International study programs program,” said Lyon. “We’re excited improving the library, increasing the at BYU vary from study abroad to about the possibilities.” class offerings, and supplying more international volunteers, internships, team-taught courses that synthesize or field studies. Each program subjects within the major. “We don’t is designed to give students the have enough of those here at BYU,” opportunity to take learning out of Lyon declared. the classroom and into the world. International programs also help Photo courtesy of Allison Horne—Paris Photo courtesy of

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 29 students gain a broader global Field Studies program entered the when it exists in a candidate,” perspective as they learn to be contest and winners were voted explained Ames. “Basically, you’re at home in other on by the center’s faculty doing well in an interview if the countries. and staff. interviewers lean forward—if they are captivated with you.” He also Horne described Photos are archived for viewing noted that though language ability her participation in online at http://kennedy.byu.edu/ is a plus, many businesses do not the winter 2004 Paris publications/photo. study abroad program make their final hiring decisions with as “the time of my life. Global Careers language as a factor. CAMPUS I feel like the world Workshop Ames, a former mission president has been opened to October marked the in Japan, admitted that there are me. My study abroad first-ever Global Careers sacrifices in choosing a career that experiences have Workshop, an all-day event takes you overseas. Though the given me new insights which gave students the career opportunities are ample, that I will carry with opportunity to learn more family must be considered before me for the rest of about international career taking any large steps in the career my life. options. Speakers and panels process. “As with anything, follow “I learned to accept presented information to help the Spirit when making these huge and embrace other students better understand decisions,” he said. cultures, as I tried to their potential futures. Three focus panels on assimilate into them. I The event started with international law, international realized that you can’t “What is an International development, and government judge a country by Career?” presented by intelligence filled the afternoon. The the actions of those Cory Leonard, Kennedy day closed with “Foreign Service that are in power. I Center assistant director. and International Diplomacy learned things during After briefly discussing the Presentation” given by Jordan my study abroad definitions of international Tanner, a career U.S. Foreign experience that I could careers, he directed students Service veteran. Tanner’s two-hour not have learned in to the International Society presentation offered students a any other way.” web site and database. The firsthand account of the implications The aim of the International Society facilitates of working in international careers. photo contest is to those in international careers allow students to to network—whether a share their experiences Latter-day Saint or not—with via photography other professionals. and to collect photos The keynote address, for use on Kennedy “What are Companies Center flyers and Looking posters. In addition For?” was to the photos by delivered Brown, Dedrickson, by Walt and Horne, thirteen Ames, vice other photos received president of honorable mention A.T. Kearney and were taken Executive by John Collins, Search, in the Sara Milton, Katie Tokyo office. Dedrickson, Matthew Ames focused on Adams (2), Tyler Gibb the recruiting side (4), Erin Rider, Kelly of international Hill (2), and Brooke business, including Porter. All of them what recruiters do were honored at an and specifically what awards reception qualities companies held at the center on are looking for in job Thursday, candidates. “Companies 18 November. are looking for those with Students from the ability to do the job programs varying represented by education, from Art History experience, current Study Abroad in compensation, and overall Europe to the Mexico fit—a quality that can’t really Literary International be defined—but is evident Photo courtesy of Tyler Gibb—Ghana Tyler Photo courtesy of 30 Derek E. Baird applications into their conferences. Hanoi. He spoke with Ray Hillam, His work was put into action at the former Kennedy Center director, Derek E. Baird has been invited 2004 Youth Leadership Conference, who assured Bird that his decision to by the Museum of Tolerance in Los held at the Marine Corps Base at attend BYU would be ideal for Bird’s Angeles and Dr. Mercedes Fisher, Camp Pendleton. interests. His decision was confirmed professor of education of Pepperdine A 1994 alumnus of the American shortly thereafter. “A few months University Graduate School of Studies major, Baird attributes his later, as I was preparing to return “Those types of achievements to dedicated professors to the States, President Hinckley

relationships are at BYU. “I owe much of my post- visited Hanoi. His advice to me after ALUMNI BYU success to Dr. Neil York, Dr. hearing where I was from: ‘Go home what make BYU Richard Cracroft, and Dr. Martha and marry a Utah Valley girl!’ A year and the American Bradley,” he said. “I can’t thank later I fulfilled the prophet’s words.” Studies program them enough for the foundation of Never a typical BYU student, so great!” knowledge they helped me construct, Bird took advantage of all types of pushing me to develop critical classes offered through the center. thinking skills, and being such “I took classes any time they were supportive, encouraging mentors.” available, including Internet classes, Baird continues a relationship with study abroad, and independent the Kennedy Center when he seeks study all within the span of a Education and Psychology, to pilot advice or counsel. “Those types of year and a half,” he declared. a tolerance program. Baird’s goal is relationships are what make BYU “I graduated in Asian studies, a to create an interactive environment and the American Studies program selection I have not regretted.” that will be instrumental for the so great!” he concluded. Bird and his wife, Theresa, spent Tools of Tolerance program in two years in California before he the museum. Ryan R. Bird was accepted at Thunderbird’s “As curriculum developer, Ryan R. Bird is managing a Executive MBA program in 2001. He Dr. Fisher and I will design and project that will move the production graduated from the Garvin School of implement face-to-face and online of Nike shoe boxes from Seattle to International Management in 2003. training for law enforcement, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. “I am Last year Bird, his wife, and their educators, and the National working with two organizations, four children boarded an airplane Institute Against Hate Crimes,” to Vietnam. “We sold everything we Baird explained. “I graduated in could, brought all our belongings He also intends to adapt with us on the airplane and said these courses for online Asian studies, a goodbye. I had no job, just a lot of learning. “This will help selection I have ambition and a strong faith that the uniformed and civilian not regretted.” Lord would take care of us,” Bird personnel understand the offered. The skills and knowledge dynamics of racism, bigotry, he had acquired were quickly put to and discrimination and use in his management position. One engage them in discussions lesson he has learned: “You must about tolerance, diversity, control your own destiny.” and effective responses to situations in law New Toyo of Singapore and Alliance Marcie Holloman enforcement,” said Baird. Packaging of Seattle,” said Bird. This At the end of my freshman His previous experiences have challenging job involves becoming a year in college, my family had just helped prepare him for this task. bridge of interest between Chinese, returned from living ten years in He co-founded BlendedEDU, a Vietnamese, and American cultures. Asia back to the D.C. area. I used web log that focuses on assisting Bird’s first Vietnamese education professionals to integrate “Through my encounter came through web-based social networking media, serving a Vietnamese-speaking research I felt such as blogs and newsgroups, into mission in Philadelphia. A traditional and online classroom like I was learning love for the culture drove environments. Working with exactly what him to employment as an Maryanne Campo, Distributed I wanted to IT professional in Hanoi, Learning director at Northern Vietnam. In the spring of 1996, be learning.” Mariana College, Baird created the after spending over a year site as part of a presentation at the there, Bird felt it was time to Washington Association for Learning meet his personal goals and Alternatives teachers’ conference. pursue a professional degree. Baird also consulted with the His confidence was enhanced by a every resource I could to find Joseph H. Pendleton Chapter of the visit from the Young Ambassadors to internship opportunities, and I was Military Order of the World Wars. offered a research intern spot at the This veteran auxiliary group worked with him to integrate social media Photo courtesyCollins—Cambodia of John

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 31 Congressional Research Service on to become entrepreneurs and work center program in conjunction Capitol Hill, focusing on issues of their way out of poverty by starting with the United Way, volunteered foreign affairs and national defense. their own business. They were truly at the national Business for Social At age seventeen, I was the youngest breaking the mold of their past and, Responsibility conference, and won person to ever be admitted into as a result, changed the social and second place in the national Business their internship program at that economic fabric of their communities. Case Competition. time. The most important part of Then in the fall of my senior year, I can say that since graduation a that experience was that I gained the next part of my dream fell into year and a half ago, I’ve had nonstop

ALUMNI confidence in my ability to analyze place. I learned about an opportunity adventure finding ways to apply the and think. to train NGO leaders in China to set things I learned in school. Right after Back at school in the fall, I found up a microcredit program. It was graduation, I moved to New York and out about an opportunity to do an extremely rewarding to work with through my contacts at Net Impact, I internship in Taiwan for the Foreign truly creative, resourceful leaders, found a volunteer opportunity with Commercial Service. This definitely who believed in the power of their United Nations Global Compact. met my thirst for adventure, so people and were eager to learn how I then piloted a project for MBA I jumped at the opportunity and to apply the tools we offered them. students at BYU and NYU to work moved to Taiwan for six months, After returning from China, with global companies to create living with eight Taiwanese girls and I spoke with my mentors at the an online learning community for working at the World Trade Center Kennedy Center and from prior ethical business practices. in Taipei doing research and trade internships, and they helped me see Just when I was feeling really shows for American companies that there was a common theme in comfortable with my ‘dream world’ seeking business opportunities in all my interests: facilitating positive in New York, I was contacted by Taiwan. I not only fell in love all change and growth in people and an alum from the MOB program to over again with the Chinese people, organizations. One mentor suggested interview for a job at a mid-sized history, culture, and language, I also that the Marriott School’s MOB tech company in California to help realized what an impact democracy program would equip me with the their new HR director turn around could have on bringing economic kind of skills and tools I would need the department and to help set up a and social growth to a country. to become an effective change agent new design center in Shanghai. One of the most influential and give me the flexibility to work in The two most important things parts of my college experience was any sector. I’ve learned since leaving school my involvement with Students My reasons for going to graduate is that I’m never pigeonholed into for International Development. school were to learn as much as one career path, and that I never Becoming involved in this small possible about how organizations have to wait to make a meaningful group of students was a very pivotal work and how to help people work contribution in my corner of experience because I could be part of together effectively—not to fit into the world. a community of like-minded people. a corporate mold or move up the In my junior year, I declared ladder. I also worked with several Anthony Rivera, Jr. an international studies major classmates to start up PathWorks, a Anthony Rivera, Jr. works as a with a global trade emphasis and consulting group for small businesses Native American Consultant for minors in Chinese and international in the area. Through my research an engineering infrastructure firm development. And I received a call to I felt like I was learning exactly CH2M HILL located in Orange serve in the Taiwan Taichung mission what I wanted to be learning, and County, California. Rivera provides in November 1997. I felt right at through the consulting I applied my business opportunities to Native home, and my love for the Chinese knowledge to real-world companies. American Nations. people and my career path deepened During my second year in He fondly reflected on his first more than is possible to express. graduate school, I took some experiences at the Kennedy Center. Having returned from my incredible classes that allowed me to Evoking his days as a missionary in mission, I attended the Microenter- use my creativity and apply the skills Hamburg, Germany, Rivera went prise Conference on campus, where I had spent so much sweat and tears door to door in the center in search I laid out a plan of action to learn to learn. I finally started to see how of a job to supplement and enhance about microcredit, first in the U.S. my broad range of interests could all his ancient Near East studies. “This and then take it to China. After fit together. That one realization was time, it was office doors of professors competing with the Model United worth all the pain of graduate school! instead of residences in Germany,” Nations team in New York that Interestingly enough, one of the he recalled. spring, I decided to stay in the city most significant experiences during To his dismay, Rivera found that and volunteer at a microfinance graduate school was my involvement the positions he was interested in nonprofit called Project Enterprise, a with Net Impact, a national were already held by other students. replication of the Grameen Bank in organization of MBAs committed His disappointment was quenched by Harlem and Brooklyn. I recruited and to promoting ethical business. In the warm reception of Professor Kent trained women and men who wanted my second year, we tripled our P. Jackson, then the chair of Near BYU chapter membership, began an exciting community resource Photo courtesy of Paul Nelson—Japan 32 “I was able to cultures and religions.” He the political affairs for his people. learn directly from also worked on the editorial Today, while working as a consultant, Middle Eastern staff of Harvard Theological he remains connected with the Review before completing Acjachemen Nation as chair of the students what it a master’s degree in tribe’s Cultural Resources Agency is like to live in theological studies. and plans to campaign for governing countries of Rivera pursued post- chairman of his tribe in 2005. graduate studies at UCLA Rivera deems his time spent at great turmoil.” in 1995 as one of the early BYU an overwhelming success. recipients of the prestigious “The Kennedy Center experience in Hugh Nibley Fellowship studying international politics and Eastern Studies at the center. “My of Ancient Studies. Rivera served for cultures has provided the necessary experience as a research assistant to a time as faculty with BYU’s Ancient training needed to serve sovereign Dr. Jackson brought me many fond Scripture Department and with tribal governments within the memories of research, conversation, Saddleback College’s Anthropology United States,” he affirms. “I cherish and mentoring within the halls of the Department. But Rivera found a new the time spent at the Kennedy center,” Rivera remembered. direction for his work. Center and apply the lessons learned He is quick to attribute much “It was at this period in my career at BYU and Harvard in the success to his professors. “Classes on Near that the call came to me to serve my of all my career and personal goals.” East modern history taught by tribe, the Juaneno Band of Mission professor Arnold Green helped Indians, Acjachemen Nation of me comprehend the depth and Orange County, California,” Rivera complexity of the culture and politics stated. “I was appointed chair of the of this area of the globe,” stated tribe’s Cultural Resources Agency Rivera. He also cited courses taught in charge of preservation of the by Dr. James Toronto as beneficial tribe’s artifacts, burial grounds, and to his studies. “I was able to learn traditional properties.” directly from Middle Eastern students His service continued with an what it is like to live in countries of appointment as a council member great turmoil and to empathize with of the Tribal Government. This role their struggles,” he commented. put Rivera in charge of governing These experiences served as excellent preparation for graduate studies in 1993, when he entered Harvard Divinity School with a full scholarship to study with what he calls “some of the finest scholars in ancient Photo courtesy of Emy Cannon—Philippines Photo courtesy of Emy

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 33 Global Report

Two Villages

WORLD in the

by Jamie L. Huish he sun is rising over a small Guatemalan village as a young college student rolls out of her sleeping bag and helps her host mother prepare a simple breakfast over the fire. There is no electricity, and the younger children haul water from a nearby well. As the day goes on, the student volunteers at a local health clinic, taking copious notes in her research notebook. The sun climbs higher and the men are returning from their corn fields for lunch in adobe huts. The student joins her peers and their professors for a bite to eat, and a discussion over the day’s findings. Small Guatemalan children chatter in K’iche’, their native lan- guage, at her feet. For a small group of BYU undergraduates, this is summer break. Field study programs are usually reserved for students in the upper stages of gradu- ate work, and serious research is widely considered practical only for those at the graduate or doctoral level—an idea that is being challenged by John P. Hawkins, an anthropology professor at BYU. Humble Beginnings An idea formulated in a coffee shop in Mexico City was the creative spark that became the first BYU Guatemalan field study program. Hawkins was chatting with colleague Walter Adams, then at Brown University, between ses- sions of the 1993 International Congress Photo courtesy of Sara Anderson—Guatemala Photo courtesy of Sara 34 of Anthropological and Ethnological Rigorous demands are placed on be combined into a volume on that Sciences. They questioned the pre- the selected students. They comply topic. “The grant gave us the power sumed incompetency of undergradu- with a set of rules that is clearly of enticement to say ‘this is how it’s ate students in the research field and outlined: avoiding alcohol, illicit going to be,’” said Hawkins. decided such an experience would drugs, smoking, and any behavior Students often live with families serve as wonderful preparation for seen as flirtatious or promiscuous. that correspond with the theme. graduate school. In Hawkins’ words, As required of all BYU overseas During the summer with religion as “On the whole, the stereotype is that programs, students, many of whom the focus, students lived with local undergraduates have inadequate are former missionaries, also agree to religious leaders. In 2005, students

training in the discipline and less refrain from proselyting about The will be researching under the theme commitment to research.”1 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day of kinship, family, marriage, and The two professors combined Saints. “We [reiterate] frequently domestic relationships. their ideas to create a field study that that we [are in] Guatemala to learn The grant also allowed BYU to would unite their research interests. about other people’s cultures, not combine with affiliate universities They identified two Guatemalan to preach, teach, or persuade them for a limited number of students. villages as sites that would be condu- about any aspect of ours.”3 Students The University of Illinois at Chicago, cive to research by groups of under- have responded favorably to these Southwest Texas University, and graduate students: Nahuala and conditions, with few serious prob- University of Texas Panamerican each Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan. lems over the ten summers the pro- contribute one or two students for the Launched in the summer of 1995, gram has been functioning. group. Hawkins and Adams travel to Hawkins annually accompanies “Programs like John’s demon- each university to assist in the selec- ten to twelve students during the strate that students are capable of tion and preparation process. spring/summer terms. Each student serious research,” said Shuler. “The Village Life is required to take a rigorous pre- better half of undergraduate research Students become an integral part paratory class the semester prior to is equal to graduate research.” of the two village communities. Pre- departure, taught by Dave Shuler, Securing a Future viously the program ran for seven International Study Programs (ISP) The program changed in 2002, weeks, but at the request of students coordinator. Shuler provides instruc- when Hawkins received funding and faculty, it was extended to its tion in culture, literature, and research through the National Science Foun- current length of twelve weeks. “The methods. The program is also directed dation (NSF). Working with his col- longer the better,” said Shuler. “This by a student field facilitator, a senior league, Adams, Hawkins applied for allows students to get in deeper anthropology major who has partici- the grant under the Research Experi- with the community and strengthen pated in the program at least once. ence for Undergraduates program, relationships.” The recruitment process for the which provides funding for trans- Indeed, relationships with the field study can be intense. Students portation, room and board, and a villagers proved to be crucial as are required to be at least conversa- weekly stipend for ten students. The Hawkins returned year after year. tional in Spanish, and an optional grant was awarded for two years, and Interpreters, housing, and general class is offered in the indigenous then renewed for three years as the living conditions are established for K’iche’ language. “We [show] them program continued to be successful. the following year, creating a strong pictures of dingy outhouses, board- Implementing the grant brought foundation for the students to build hard beds, and life in a sleeping bag. about several changes. The field on. “The genius of field studies is We [talk] about reactions to dogs, work became more research oriented, that it’s the same faculty doing con- flea bites, rain and mud, and getting with a stronger emphasis on publica- tinuous research in the same loca- 2 sick,” said Hawkins. Tough, dedi- tion. Each student submits a research tion,” said Shuler. “It’s amazing.” cated, and cooperative students are proposal with very specific topics The host families are attracted sought for, and the groups become prior to going. Hawkins imposes a to the idea of “adopting” students very close on the May to August trip. central theme, such as health or reli- for the summer because they receive “The students are very mature. They gious practices, as a focus each year. pay for room and board well above conduct themselves as well as any After the field study is completed, the going rate. Students are encour- graduate students,” said Shuler. students compile their papers to aged to become like another child in Photo courtesy of Anne Bailey—Mexico Photo courtesy of

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 35 the family and help with chores and week. Attended by all students and their patron saints. Many younger family duties as necessary. professors, the classes serve as a members of the community wanted Shuler recounted an experience he time for continuing guidance and to leave Ixtahuacan, while the older had one summer while visiting a vil- encouragement as the projects come members preferred rebuilding their lage school with the group facilitator. together. Students debrief each other former home. He recalled a child yelling the K’iche’ on their data and research, and cite Even the students were divided name of the student and suddenly what needs to be done in the future over the move. “It made for a hundreds of people running toward to enhance their projects. The day dynamic academic discussion for the WORLD them. The villagers enthusiastically also includes presentations and dis- students, but it was very real,” said

greeted Shuler and the student, who cussions of the country and culture Shuler. The debate continued through- was fluent in K’iche’ and lived with and how findings can be applied to out the summer and as the students a local family. When the student had particular projects. returned to the United States. to return to the United States, Shuler Hurricane Mitch Ultimately, four-fifths of the com- recalls the tears that were shed as munity moved to the new location, In the summer of 1998, Hurricane though it was the departure of one of named New Ixtahuacan, but referred Mitch struck Central America, caus- the family’s own sons. “I could tell to as “Alaska” due to the tempera- ing detrimental damage to Guatema- no difference between him and other ture change. Those who uprooted lan villages and towns. Landslides members of the family,” Shuler said. were “the young, the protestant, buried the hillsides in mud, making Field research is conducted as a the earth so saturated with water and the more educated,” according part of students’ daily lives. They that the adobe huts most villagers to Hawkins. are encouraged to volunteer several lived in melted. Floods changed the To assist in the move, the govern- hours a week, working with villagers face of the land, making the village a ment offered extensive aid. “They in various occupations that provide a shadow of its former self. built an entire city,” said Hawkins. natural outlet to form relationships. During this time, there were New Ixtahuacan has cinderblock One student, Amy Alexander, was several BYU students working in homes, electricity, and running water researching sorrow and depression in the village of Ixtahuacan. These stu- in every home Shuler said. The Guatemalan women. She spent hours dents rescued people, helped with people settled into their new homes, with an elderly woman cooking and cleanup efforts, and observed the even creating new myths about why doing daily chores. The pair hauled culture in the face of a natural disas- they founded the town. water, washed clothing on rocks, and ter. Their experiences eventually In spite of their acceptance of collected sticks for the woman’s fire. became the subject of many of their the move, the relocation has created Through their chores, the student research projects. problems. The higher altitude brings talked with the woman and learned Seeing the widespread destruc- many upper respiratory diseases her life story. “Eventually this was tion, the Guatemalan government to a people unaccustomed to damp what gave her access to understand- proposed relocating Ixtahuacan to and fog. At first there was no way ing the woman,” said Shuler. a new area in the mountains. Some to get wood or grow corn. “They Students accompany many types residents pushed for the new loca- moved away from their land; this of people on their daily routines. They tion, a move from 6,800 to 9,800 feet is the basis of their identity,” said visit schools, volunteer at clinics, elevation. The new location would Hawkins. Transportation to and and work as translators. Many work be close to an international highway, from their old corn fields costs a with nongovernment organizations with more outside access but a much third of a day’s wages. Many are (NGOs) to offer volunteer services. colder climate. becoming very dependent on aid The community reaction in both vil- Naturally, the move sparked from NGOs. This is difficult as well lages has been very positive. “We’re debate all throughout the commu- because it goes against the indig- part of the community,” Shuler said. nity. Old and young disputed the enous culture. “It contradicts the Students also continue their for- merits of uprooting to an entirely Indian identity of self support,” mal education with their professors. new place, leaving behind ages of said Hawkins. One day a week is devoted to class ancestral ground. Deeply religious, The K’iche’ struggle between studies, where students review the some elderly K’iche’ opposed the two worlds. Many are caught work they have done over the past move, arguing it would displace between adapting to the modern Photo courtesy of Kacey Widdison-Jones—Guatemala Photo courtesy of Kacey 36 world and remaining entrenched turn their efforts to the post-field dents gain confidence as their papers in their traditional Mayan world. experience by enrolling in an and their presentation skills become “They lead a very conflicted life,” advanced writing class and a post- more polished. Students also said Hawkins. The relocation seems field seminar that synthesizes their become more aware of the impor- to have triggered a surge in alco- experience and research with neces- tance of the ground they are cover- hol abuse and public drunkenness, sary skills to publish their findings. ing. “Many of the papers display a spawned the first case of suicide, and After months of writing and revision, gradually increasing awareness of led to the first occurrence of migra- the students compile papers ready a student’s cultural ethnocentrism. tion to the United States. for presentation. We have tried not to edit out such

Despite these hardships and Conference presentations are developing realization of their own changes, many in the village are almost unheard of for undergradu- naiveté, because it is of value to oth- surviving. Few people return to Old ate students. Hawkins says this ers to see fellow students struggle Ixtahuacan because of a cultural is an integral part of academia against the bands and blinders of our emphasis on honor. “To return is an and strongly encourages formal own cultural background.”4 ˚ admission of defeat,” said Hawkins. presentation. Winter semester fol- For more information on the opportuni- The K’iche’ relocation provided many lowing their return marks the first ties offered by International Study Pro- new angles for research and study for presentation, which is accomplished grams, see the web site at http://kennedy. BYU students. at ISP’s Field Study Inquiry Confer- byu.edu. Publish or Perish ence held at the Kennedy Center. Notes In the early years, the field study From these comfortable proceedings program had little concern for close to home, students then work 1. Hawkins, John P. and Walter Ran- publication, but Hawkins realized up to a regional conference such as dolph Adams. Roads to Change in his students were collecting valu- the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, Maya Guatemala: On Field School, Nur- able material. His goal became to and Letters. National levels follow turing Undergraduate Ethnography, and “improve the program to make pub- at the American Anthropological Understanding the K’iche’, p. 29. Association and the Latin Ameri- lication an easier and natural result.” 2. Ibid. p. 37. With the NSF funding, this became can Studies Association. Hawkins 3. Ibid. p. 40. ever more important and is now one believes strongly in the effects of of the program’s main goals. proceeding to each level. “Students 4. Ibid. p. 77. Ideas for publication always begin from our field study are the only long before students ever set foot in undergraduates at these meetings,” Guatemala. Starting with the prepa- he said. “And they are the only ration course, each student choose ones getting published like this.” a topic conducive to field research Currently, there are three volumes within the scope of the overall theme. underway. The first: Roads to Change Students must enroll in a field in Maya Guatemala: On Field Schools, method’s course and a Mesoameri- Nurturing Undergraduate Ethnography, can course emphasizing Guatemalan and Understanding the K’iche’ will study. Each class provides the needed be published by the University of preparation for developing a solid Oklahoma Press (2005). Volume two research proposal. That proposal is centers on health systems and is cur- then investigated in-depth during rently under review; volume three the summer, and each student covers the Ixtahuacan relocation receives nine credit hours for their studies and is in development. course work. Rough drafts of papers Hawkins said there are many are encouraged to be written during benefits to an expectation of publi- the last two weeks of the field study cation. Professional exposure and to allow for any unanswered gaps to increased academic focus serve the be filled. students as well as the professors, Upon exiting the field, students and the program as a whole. Stu- Photo courtesy of Malcolm Botto-Wilson—Guatemala

BRIDGES • FALL 2004 37 Equipment and Service for Mampong In May 2004, Bill Olsen, adjunct profes- sor of anthropology at BYU, headed a group of seventeen students traveling to Mampong, an Ashanti zone of Ghana that is forty miles northeast of Kumasi. Though it was the third BYU vol- unteer trip to the area

since 2002, this marked Students with their precious supplies. the first time that the group brought medical equipment children who are orphaned or had a an opportunity to gain firsthand expe- and supplies with them. mother die in childbirth. Part of this rience serving in their future field. Medical supplies were collected center’s purpose is to take care of Overall, the experience was mainly through Olsen’s son, Ian. motherless infants and toddlers until positive for both the BYU group “My son used this as his Eagle Scout they are five years old, at which age and those receiving service. “We Project,” Olsen said. Ian received the fathers come to get them. The are looking at this as a long-term donations from American Fork, Pri- program enables fathers to support relationship,” Olsen commented of mary Children’s, Mountain View, their family, while the small children the relations built with the donation and Orem Community hospitals. get the care they need. recipients in Ghana. “We are hoping “Hospitals routinely throw away The students donated more than to do it again.” Next spring, Olsen or recycle old or outdated supplies—they also gave of their and students will return to Mam- equipment,” Olsen time and effort as they pong with additional supplies. explained. “People did rounds in the were all too hospital five days a happy to week. Many of the contribute students are pre- equipment.” med and so for All in all, them, this was eighteen, thirty-inch nylon bags, loaded with laboratory and operating room equipment, blood transfusion, and other medical supplies, were taken to Ghana. Normally, healthcare in Ghana is limited to the few on a “pay as you go system, which excludes many people who cannot afford health- care,” Olsen reported. The donated medical supplies will be of most use to that group at the Government District Hospital. “They promised the supplies will be used by those people free of charge,” he said. Two of the eighteen bags were infant and children’s supplies given to the “Babies Home,” a state- run facility for Photo courtesy of Blair Mortenson—Lesotho 38 Kennedy Center Alumni This is your page http://kennedy.byu.edu/alumni/alumninotes.html

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39 n 20 May 2004, as part of Utah’s Ocommemoration of International Earl Fry on globalization— Trade Week, the Kennedy Center, in partnership with the Global Management Center and the State Office of International Business Development, sponsored a panel discussion on In referring to “globalization,” Dani Rodrik has globalization. “ There is no business, institution, or suggested that depending “on who uses it, the term denotes individual in the state of Utah whose daily life is not touched, for better or an opportunity, an imperative, a source of anxiety, or at worse, by the forces of globalization. This panel explored the forces that drive worst a curse.” Whether Americans like it or not, they globalization and how these processes are very much a part of a globalized economy in which influence ways of doing business and participating as consumers in the global international trade in goods and services, international direct marketplace. Globalization has many faces: good, bad, ugly, and indifferent. and portfolio investment, the movement of people across All of those faces are part of doing business in Utah. The panel included a national borders, and global currency transactions are at or discussion and multimedia presentation on what globalization means to near record levels. The U.S. now stands as the world’s largest Americans, Utahns, and consumers of importer and exporter, the largest foreign direct investor and the world. host nation for foreign direct investment, the largest holder Chair: Tina Lewis, director, Utah State Office of International Business of international assets, the leading host country for foreign- Development Moderator: Bruce Lindsay, MBA and owned assets, and the leading recipient of immigrants— news anchor, KSL News documented and undocumented. The challenge facing Panelists: Earl Fry, professor of political science, the United States is to maximize the clear benefits of Canadian Studies coordinator, Brigham Young University globalization while mitigating the negative trends such as Warner Woodworth, professor of international terrorism, international organized crime, and organizational behavior, Marriott School, Brigham Young University the rapid movement of diseases which are no respecter of Russell W. Belk, N. Eldon Tanner Professor of Business Administration, national boundaries. Globalization will require intense and David Eccles School of Business, sustained cooperation across national borders, because so University of Utah Scott Woodward, associate professor, many of the problems facing the world today are beyond the School of Business, Utah Valley State College capacity of any one nation to solve single-handedly—even Gary Bamossy, professor of by the world’s only remaining superpower. marketing and director, Global Business, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah ”

40 Kennedy Center Fifth Annual Photography Contest

Second Place “The Street Musician” Katie Dedrickson London, England

Third Place “Mardi Gras Boy” Allison Horne Binche, Belgium Brigham Young University David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies 237 HRCB Provo, UT 84602

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“Often our understanding of God’s workings are the ‘contracted notions of men.’”