AUSTRALIAN
Initiatives of Change
through moral and spiritual transformation WHITE CRICKET PHOTO: FEBRUARY 2005 No. 218 To tell a better story By Mike Lowe n his book Tips from a travelling soul- be opposed or faith is something which I searcher Tim Costello quotes an should be helped to pass away). incident from the life of Ivan Illich, a 2 The way of faith inevitably leads to great South American advocate of the conflict. point - the need to tell a different story. poor. Illich was asked what was the most 3 The advancement of science and Early in the 20th century, long before powerful way to change society: was it education will lead all humanity to words like “interfaith” and “ecumenical” by revolution where the hated power- become similar types of purely rational were as common as they are now, Frank brokers were overthrown, arrested and and economic beings, and thereby Buchman, the initiator of (what later executed; or was it by peaceful abolish conflict. (Gray says that this became) Initiatives of Change recognised reformation using education and gradual, last one is the most potentially that when people of faith focused on democratic and industrial reform? destructive myth because it says that Praxis (how you live the faith) rather than Illich replied that it was neither. we will all become the same when we Dogma (what you teach about the faith) Neither revolution nor reformation can should be preparing ourselves to live then there is common ground and the ultimately change a society, he said. with conflict.) possibility of partnership. For those with Rather you must tell a new and powerful More recently we can add a further story - eyes to see, there is plenty of evidence for tale, one so persuasive that it sweeps one which has been around for a long this different story which says that faith away the old myths and becomes the time but which is particularly to the fore can be the answer, not the problem (so preferred story, one so inclusive that it since 9/11. This story says that Islam is long as faith is God centred not religion gathers all the bits of our past and our particularly backward, incompatible with centred). This story recognises the present into a coherent whole, one that modernity and opposed to the rational, common ground of moral values on even shines some light into the future so scientific, democratic ideal, and that which our diverse cultures and religions that we can take the next step forward. Muslims above all have a propensity to can grow together whilst retaining their Since I read that a couple of weeks ago conflict. unique and diverse identities. In contrast I have been asking myself, “what is the to the old story, this one says that the way new story we are meant to tell?” I had Way to harmony to harmony lies through living our faiths also just read Al Qaeda and what it Of course the situation is complicated more fully. This story says that it is not means to be modern by John Gray, because a lot of religious people and human for us all to be the same, but that Professor of European Thought at the communities have shaped themselves as we develop a relationship with the London School of Economics. While not around these old paradigms. Gray is deep spiritual dynamic that some call offering much of a new story, the book particularly good on explaining how Al God, we learn how to relate to those who does give a good critique of the old story Qaeda is itself a product of modernity, are different with love and respect. which shapes the mess we have gotten borrowing from strands of thought first You will find this story shining ourselves into now. The old story says developed by the Russian revolutionary through the pages of Newsbriefs and other that: intellectuals who were the precursors to Initiatives of Change publications. I hope 1 The way of faith does not fit with Bolshevism! that for more of us this will also be the modernity (so either modernity should Which brings me back to my first story of our lives.
More peace circles launched Life Matters gainst the backdrop of recent events hot Sunday afternoon, including two Iraqi he biggest ever Life Matters course A in Sydney, not least the Cronulla Australian schoolgirls. There was never T is now under way at Armagh, the riots, another round of “Peace Circles” a dull moment. Salam Deeb, a Lebanese Initiatives of Change Asia-Pacific centre were launched at the Belmore Australian who participated in last year's in Melbourne. The 21 participants come Community Centre (South West Sydney) round, spoke about how much it had from diverse backgrounds including on 22 January. Peace Circles are meant to her, and we concluded with a Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Solomon culturally diverse groups of women who prayer song from Chichi Seii from Islands, Europe and multicultural commit to meet regularly over a number Kenya. There was enthusiasm to sign up Australia. As well as discovering the of weeks to explore and develop their for further Peace Circles along with the “other”, the participants are exploring peace-making ability. possibility of conducting them in a meaning and purpose for life and learning Twenty five women from almost as school. to become agents for positive change in many backgrounds made the effort on a Barbara Lawler their families and communities. The extraordinary life of Alec Smith Alec Smith from Zimbabwe died unexpectedly in London
on 19 January. Son of Zimbabwe's last white Prime JONATHANPHOTO: LANCASTER Minister, Ian Smith, Alec worked for an end to the civil war and towards a peaceful transition to majority rule in the late 1970s. John Bond, who worked with Alec between 1975 and 1983 recalls:
lec Smith once told me he reckoned situation. Then A he had had 50 trips of LSD. Enough someone told Kit to send most people into insanity. No he should meet wonder his conversion to Christianity Alec. was dramatic. He was driving along in Alec was his Volkswagen one day in 1972, high on intrigued by Kit, marijuana, when he heard a voice from and came to a meeting of the MRA team. the back seat say, “Go home and read the At that time interest in MRA was limited New Testament”. Having searched the to an elderly group of white Rhodesians, that my white skin afforded me,” he told car and found no-one, he obeyed the and Alec thought he had stumbled upon the conference, going on to express his voice. He found himself fascinated by a some sort of evangelical outreach to commitment to build a country in which book he had until then dismissed as geriatrics! But their aims intrigued him. everyone was treated fairly. boring. As Christians, they were attempting to His words gave hope to Africans One day he took me to a vast rock bring the truths of Christ to bear on throughout the country. We followed it famous for its ancient bushman paintings national policy. up by arranging public meetings in many of animals. At its heart was a small Kit asked Alec to lead the meeting. towns, at which hundreds came to hear stream which had channelled its ways Alec hadn't a clue what to do, and was Alec and others, black and white. In the through the rock. “This is where I was still recovering from his drug-taking. following years, I often heard Africans baptised,” he told me. Alec was a white One of those present described the say, “If the son of the Prime Minister can African, deeply in love with his country. meeting as “like rowing in treacle”. But change, perhaps a multiracial country is But to me, the most fascinating part of Kit asked Alec to lead the next meeting, possible.” his story comes after his baptism. and the next. And gradually he began to It was a painful time for the country, At that time a man named Kit Prescott see a connection between his new-found with thousands dying in war. Eventually had come from faith and the in 1979 - thanks in large part to the then Britain to Rhodesia national Australian Prime Minister Malcolm - as it was then situation. Fraser - a political settlement was called. Kit had If the son of the Then Kit reached, and elections held. But would worked most of his suggested the agreement be kept? life with MRA (as “ Prime Minister can that Rhodesia Initiatives of needed an Coup averted Change was then change, perhaps a international known). In his MRA conf- Though we did not know at the time, the sixties he had a multiracial country is erence aimed head of the Rhodesian Army was heart problem and possible. at bringing planning a coup should Robert Mugabe was told by the about the win the election. Again Alec played a doctors to go where change in crucial role. Though his father had he could rest. He people that dismissed Mugabe as “the Red Terror”, and his wife Joyce chose Rhodesia. ” alone would make political change work. Alec asked him to meet Mugabe secretly. Alec's father, Ian Smith, was the Prime Alec agreed. “Will you raise the money His father agreed, and went to Mugabe’s Minister. He and his Government had for it?” Kit asked. Before long Alec was heavily-fortified residence. Had that rejected Britain's attempts to ease the pounding the streets of Salisbury, visiting meeting not taken place, the country country towards majority rule, and had all the businessmen he could reach, and would probably have descended again declared independence unilaterally under eventually raised nearly $30,000. into war. a Government elected by the white It was an historic conference. Across Today Zimbabwe is in a sad state, minority. The African majority was Africa MRA activists saw its potential, thanks to Mugabe’s determination to growing increasingly restless. and worked out how to get there. So in hang on to power. No solution is Kit rested, but he also expected God to 1975, in the heart of Salisbury, several permanent. But I have no doubt that use him in this tense situation. He didn't hundred people came together. Many Alec's work saved thousand of Zimbab- know how, but he and Joyce made friends powerful stories were told. But probably wean lives at that time. In a desperate far and wide, and were able to bring hope the one which made the most impact was hour, a man was used by God to help his to many in despair about the national Alec's. “I took for granted the privileges country towards a better future. Fiji Islands conference will focus on vision
diverse group of Fijians will host a its support to the conference and helped corruption, honesty, trust and good A conference on the theme “Fiji: A pay for the preparation of the invitation governance. Vision Possible” to be held between pamphlet which should be ready for The Vice President of the Republic of Friday 17 and Tuesday 21 November circulation by the end of February. the Fiji Islands, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, 2006. The University of the South The general theme of the conference is has agreed to be one of the keynote Pacific campus in Fiji has been booked to about contributing towards a vision of a speakers. Initiatives of Change activists accommodate up to 250 international reconciled and better Fiji through changes Peter and Glenys Wood from New participants including Fijians, Pacific that start with individual transformation Zealand, Suresh Khatri from India and Islanders and other nationals. The in the heart. Lesley Bryant from Australia will be in organising committee, brought together Fiji towards the end of February and Moral and spiritual foundations by Initiatives of Change activists Ratu early March. They will accompany Meli Vesikula and Jone Dakuvula, Keynote speakers from Fiji and overseas members of Fiji I Care and officials of includes members of Fiji I Care, Fiji will address themes such as: the Ministry of Reconciliation to meet the Interfaith Search, the Citizens reconciliation; healing the past, building Prime Minister of Fiji, other political Constitutional Forum and officials of the the future; creating partnership across leaders, and significant leaders in various Ministry of National Reconciliation. The cultures and beliefs; the moral and fields to inform them of the conference Fiji Ministry of Reconciliation has given spiritual foundations of democracy; and ask for their support.
to their communities. What we are doing Solomons Clean Election is just reminding people that in the end the choice as to who will lead our Campaign intensifies beloved nation is theirs.” Candidates would also be targeted and encouraged to ollowing months of preparation work candidates start their campaigns, we are conduct their campaigns with honesty and F by the local Initiatives of Change moving out to the provinces hoping to integrity. team in the Solomon Islands (named remind ordinary people just how The theme of the campaign is: “If we Winds of Change), six groups of important it is for the future of this want to change our nation, we must volunteers have now left for different country that each and every voter chose change ourselves.” provinces and islands to conduct voter who they vote for wisely.” For voters this means not accepting education campaigns ahead of this year's We must change ourselves money or other benefits in return for their general election. Funding for the ballot. For candidates it means not campaign has come from local sources Mr Houma said the teams would not be buying votes, not promising things that and the British High Commission, with telling people who to vote for but rather can't be delivered and not intimidating some additional funding from Initiatives encouraging them to think carefully and people with threats and other gestures to of Change Australia. pray about the choices they make as a support them. The group has already Describing the initiative as “the voter. “In fact we ask the people produced a Clean Election Campaign country's first attempt to clean up the themselves to identify what are the brochure, which sets out why you should political process from the grass roots up”, characteristics of a good candidate and not sell your vote or accept bribes, and The Solomon Star newspaper quoted almost everyone comes up with the same includes a one-page pledge that voters Campaign coordinator Eric Houma: “As things such as honesty, integrity and can sign if they want to make their the election is getting closer and people who have a sense of responsibility commitment to a clean election public.
was the peon, who has the humble tasks Muslims, caring for others of running messages and guarding the Aileen Shepherd from Adelaide spent five weeks in India at the end of last year door. He was treated in the same way as supporting programs at Asia Plateau, the Initiatives of Change centre in the highest-paid employee. Panchgani. She writes: I found this story of care, concern and sacrifice very challenging, and it is an ndia has a predominantly Hindu agreement of his wife, decided that he answer to what many feel about a lack of I population with a large Muslim would like to see each of their six care in Muslim societies. It is so easy to minority. It is very easy to have attitudes employees with “their own roof over their judge a whole culture or religion because towards minority groups be it in India or heads”, which so many are unable to have of the actions of a few and also out of Australia. I was very moved and in a big city like Pune. So, with some ignorance. Alms giving is one of the informed by the story of a Muslim couple sacrifice, they gave each employee a gift important tenets of Islam, and the Koran who came to visit me. They have a small of money, and then advanced a loan with says: “Woe to those who pray but are travel agency in Pune, employing six no interest, telling them they could repay heedless in their prayer, who make a people, and have worked hard to build up it when they were able. Two have show of piety and give no alms to the the business. The husband, with the already done this. Included on the staff destitute.” Caux conferences 2006 In Brief The theme for the 2006 annual Caux conferences is Globalising Integrity, Action for Life Personalising Integrity . Conferences will run from 6 July to 17 August at the Initiatives of Change conference centre above Montreux, Switzerland. Invitations ction for Life , a nine-month training are available from IofC centres and from the website: www.caux.ch. Excerpts A and outreach program bringing from the invitation text: together an intergenerational, inter- national, multi-faith team of 30-45 ntegrity could be the energy for social transformation in the 21st people, has reached its second “outreach I century – a growing momentum of people who become agents in India” phase. The team has split into of change and reconciliation, forging relationships of trust across five groups travelling across India to the world´s divides. The 60th anniversary of the Initiatives of Delhi, Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh, Change conferences in Caux is a chance to investigate past Kolkata and Jamshedpur, Guwahati and the North-East, and South India. initiatives and to open up fresh, innovative avenues of personal Highlights have included visits to the and global change.” Individual conference themes are: oldest Muslim university in Delhi, a boat July 6 - 12: Service, Responsibility, Leadership trip on the Ganges in India’s “Hindi ... Xenophobia, addiction, and the breakdown of family life have Belt”, presentations in schools and in Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity at their centre the question of our identity, as individuals, groups, Home for the Dying. societies and nations. Exploring and understanding who we Diana Damsa from Romania observed: really are – the light and the darkness, our past and present, our “The poor are very generous. They give strengths and weaknesses – will help us to discern where and us much more than we give them.” how to serve, take responsibility, and give leadership. Initially she had felt uncomfortable to be July 14 - 21: Tools for Change singing in the Home for the Dying, “but when I saw the expressions of joy on their The world needs committed and skilled change agents. This faces I sang with more passion than I had session is the first in a series of annual development opportunities before.” offered in the context of the unique Caux community. Participants A presentation by some of the group will examine the core tools of Initiatives of Change, essential inner on the ethos of service - drawing on and resources and effective professional skills. They will also select from celebrating the life of the great Hindu specialised workshops such as: conflict transformation, personal teacher Swami Vivekananda, led to an spiritual empowerment, dialogue creation and facilitation, healing interview with the Times of India history, team building, communications and story-telling. newspaper. July 23 – 29: Discover the Other Transforming the Way Things Are: a continuing conversation resentations of the Discover the Other ... Art and culture spring from the creative energy in all human P program in Geelong have led to an beings: in acknowledging this, we aim to discover together the invitation to present a one-day workshop stories we want to tell through various art forms. for 30 people as part of the Living in July 31 – August 5: Harmony celebrations in March. Writing Trust and Integrity in the Global Economy in the Geelong Advertiser , Monsignor James Murray, head of the Geelong Every profession and enterprise needs trust ... New regulations or Network of Faith Communities, said the laws may be necessary, but trust is built best when we show Discover the Other sessions would “help integrity and vision for what we contribute to society. build better understanding and then, August 7 – 17: hopefully, trust and respect between cultures”, and would “help counter the An Honest Dialogue for a Clean and Just Africa worrying trend of an increasing focus on Africa will not rise and flourish as a continental charity case. There a homogenous approach to national unity, is a need for honest and productive dialogue amongst African rather than an acceptance of a diversity of policy makers and grassroots activists, the diaspora, and their beliefs”. He added that the program has counterparts in the global North. The conference will focus on the full support of religious leaders from how best to develop policies that will strengthen and empower a variety of faiths throughout the region. the rising generation of Africans and help tackle problems such as Discover the Other is a new initiative poverty, corruption and the challenges of trade, health and food to “build better relationships for a better world” drawing on the 70 years’ security. experience of Initiatives of Change .
All contributions of items, news, comments are welcome. Next deadline: Wednesday, 23 Feb. 2006, to The Editor, NEWSBRIEFS , 226 Kooyong Road, Toorak, VIC 3142. Initiatives of Change Fax: (03) 9822 6871 E-mail: [email protected] MORAL RE-ARMAMENT ABN 22 004 350 789 New subscriptions and address changes: NEWSBRIEFS, 226 Kooyong Road, Toorak, VIC 3142 www.au.iofc.org