July 2018 Newsletter www.peacemuseumvienna.com Craig Kielburger Peace Museum Vienna By Zafar Shayan to the government of India to free a child- Peace Museum Vienna is a very am- ren’s rights activist from prison. Free the bitious and meaningful project lo- Children has implemented various pro- cated in Vienna, Austria’s capital city. The museum strives to contrib- jects around the world including the cre- ute to world peace by educating the ation of more than 100 schools and reha- public about peace heroes. The mu- bilitation centers for enslaved children seum provides a physical space, around the world. which serves as a meeting pint for discussion on peace, and exhibition He has also traveled to South Asia in hall, a center for the presentation of 1996 and organized various campaigns, movies and documentaries as well as speeches, and press conferences calling its wonderful peace kitchen events. Craig Kielburger is a Canadian activist the end of child labor. It is also and educational meeting for the rights of children who star- point and offers information sources Currently, Free the Children, known as for students, teachers, professors, ted fighting for children’s rights when he WE Charity, implements various projects and general visitors. Peace education was only twelve. in the fields of education, health, and is the central to both the current and Craig heard about a Pakistani child called food in different parts of the world. Craig long-term vision of Peace Museum Vienna. Iqbal Masih who worked in a carpet fac- believes children’s rights can be achieved tory since the age of four, and was mur- through education. He has received more dered at age 12 after he escaped from sla- than 20 national and international awards very. Iqbal’s story inspired the twelve- for his steady efforts for children’s rights. year -old Craig along with his school Craig was born in 1982 in Ontario, Ca- classmates to create the Free the Children nada and completed his degree in Peace organization in 1995. and Conflict Studies at University of To- Craig and his friends sent several letters ronto. He then completed his MBA at to political leaders for children’s rights. York University and Kellogg School of For example, the organization sent a let- Management at Northwestern University Robert Sutherland ter and a petition with 20 thousand names as the youngest ever graduate. Canada Finding Peace in this turbulent Peace Museum Colorado world is not a difficult task. Treat everyone with respect and com- As an educational organization, Colorado Collectives of individuals who have com- passion and do your best to make Peace Museum’s volunteer contributors bined, worked to create a culture of peace their lives a bit easier. Everyone research individuals, collectives, organi- or resist violence and injustice are like- could one day find themselves in zations and institutions in Colorado and wise recognized with a “Peacemaker need of help and support and even around the world that have taken coura- Award”. Organizations leading their field a small gesture can make a differ- geous actions to create a Culture of in taking progressive actions to promote a ence. In short – treat everyone as Peace. Such individuals are identified, re- Culture of Peace are recognized by Colo- you would wish to be treated in the searched and awarded the designation of rado Peace Museum with a “Peace Ally same situation. “Peace Hero”. Award”. 1 July 5, 2018 Newsletter Who is a Peace Hero? Helen Beatriz Mack Chang By Benelli Velazquez PMV believes that anyone in the past or of indigenous communities, enforced present who stands up and speaks out disappearances and genocides in for social justice is a peace hero. A Pe- Guatemala. She has participated in ace Hero breaks the silence and shares the development of legal strategies, her or his knowledge with others for the advice to victims and victims' fami- good of society. PMV looks for four lies and political proposals to im- characteristics in a Peace Hero. They prove the administration of justice. should: She has joined forces with personali- ▪ Recognise the interconnectedness of ties like Rigoberta Menchú to form all people; the Alliance against Impunity and ▪ Promote justice in the face of discri- helped to promote civil actions such mination; as the Pro Justice Movement, the Guatemala Forum and has been a ▪ Reject vengeance; Helen Mack is a business executive and member of several foundations in fa- ▪ Foster reconciliation and friendship. human rights activist. She was born in vor of fair legal processes. We want to inspire students and the Guatemala in 1952. She founded the public by showing them the good work Myrna Mack Foundation after the mili- Helen Mack has contributed to the that Peace Heroes have done. Our Pe- tary forces murdered her sister and thou- democratization and transformation ace Heroes come from across the globe. sands of others during the Civil War in of the justice system and the intelli- They all have worked for peace in their her country (1960-1996). She has also de- gence services, as well as to the pro- professions, ranging from musicians to nounced the suffering of indigenous com- cess of pacification and transparency. munities displaced by war. activists to politicians. In addition to receiving the Right Her fight for human rights and against Livelihood Award in 1992, she won impunity in Guatemala has resulted in the the Notre Dame Award for Outstand- reform of the judicial system and the ing Public Service in Latin America, strengthening of the rule of law. Her life in 2007 she was awarded the Premio is an example of perseverance in the fight Rey de España in the category of Hu- man Rights, among others. against injustice, racial inequality, abuse What Peace Means to You? Aditya Vaishampayan Iris Hung India Taiwan – Canada I am a teacher for PALY FOR PEACE. Peace is the warmth and gratitude of As a teacher, my constant effort is to bring simply being alive, and the under- conflict resolution techniques and non-vi- standing that it extends to all other liv- olent communication to my students. ing beings. July 5, 2018 Newsletter 2 Interns’ Reviews Zafar Shayan read, researched and written profiles of peace heroes, and each of them was a great source of inspiration with valu- able lessons. The visitors’ views related to peace and conflicts were also very in- formative and interesting. I was provided with the possibilities to connect with new colleagues who previo- Ocean usly worked or currently works at PMV, England and other people who visited the museum. It was a great opportunity for me to do On the other hand, the long talks with the Peace means: equality, under- my internship at Peace Museum Vienna visitors were delightful and enjoyable. standing and acceptance of peo- (PMV). Though peace studies was not We have people coming from different ples’ views; being willing to lis- my field of study, I preferred working cultural backgrounds, with each discus- ten to views you disagree with; with PMV over several options due to sing and sharing insights about their own learning to respond rather than my personal commitment to promoting societies and cultures. peace. Peace is one of the basic needs of react; empowering people to To conclude, I am enjoying working with make informed decision about human society, and everyone can contri- PMV as the atmosphere is very friendly. I their lives; harmony despite of bute to it. am delighted as I feel I could do somet- difference. Since I have been with the museum, I hing for peace, and I will continue my ac- tivities for promoting peace in the future. have had good experiences so far. I have Martina Šmardová I think that Peace Heroes have a great On the other hand I am very grateful for potential, their stories can inspire and te- an opportunity to witness meetings with ach us about our past, present grievan- other NGOs, ambassadors and other pe- ces. On the other hand I think that it ople. I really enjoyed the experience and would be beneficial to put less Peace I learned a lot. Heroes on the walls and cover our It was a pleasure to work with other col- knowledge about them more in depth. leagues in PMV. I learned so much from them. From Ana I learned how she ea- As I said, I love talking to the people, I sily communicate with people on telep- think that discussion is the most benefi- hone, in the meetings, on the weekly cial part of the tour of every visitor. I wanted an internship in PMV, mainly meetings. From Mami I learned her However,Buraya th gözdeere are people,bir aile who are too because Peace studies belongs to my fi- calm expression, very polite and grate- shy or they don´t want to discuss peace eld of study, I study International Rela- deyişi veya sloganı ek- ful demeanor and her advice when I and Peace Heroes. For them we have not tions in Prague, the Czech Republic. In wasn’t sure about something. Even tho- enough incentives.leyebilir. Maybe we can the past I was part of the volunteers of ugh I met Amos only for quite short expand activities such as questions Forum 2000, founded by Václav Havel, time, I noticed how he was interested in about What we can do for peace etc., but one of the Peace Heroes. This organiza- discussion with people. tion focuses on democracy, peace, hu- about specific topic related to the speci- fic Peace Hero. man rights and education. As I wrote in my bio, I believe that pe- ople, especially young ones, have a I am fond of the idea of the peace edu- During my internship I was in charge of great potential if they have an opportu- cation.