Well the Geneva Forum on Social Change has come and passed and it was a wonderful event! GFSC was mainly organized by fellow IOMBA students Patrick Huber, Violaine Beix and Marshall Sitten -- and they did an amazing job!! I'm sure they all need to catch up on weeks of sleep. For my part, I helped organize a panel discussion called "Peacebuilding in the Classroom -- Education in Conflict Zones". It generated some great and interesting discussion, and I definitely learned a lot. The highlight of the event for me however, was meeting a very, very great man: Archbishop Desmond Tutu!!
Not being religious myself, and being of a very socially liberal bent, I tend to regard religious leaders with a great deal of suspicion at times. I have absolutely no problem with people believing anything they want to believe I should point out, but I do take issue with them forcing those views on others in negative ways. Sadly, this happens all to often in our world. For me, many extremist religious views seem to be completely judgemental and restrictive -- something that often seems to contradict the underlying good moral messages that many religions have at their core. Archbishop Tutu however, is a perfect example of an amazing, progressive man who also happens to be a high ranking religious leader. He believes that women and homosexuals should be allowed to be ministers, and accorded all equal rights, for example. He believes that love overcomes hate. He preaches inspiration rather than damnation. Now that is a religion I can live with and admire!
In other news, 3 weeks of school to go!! Crazy times ahead with my head slowly trying to dissociate itself the work to come (and of course I am currently procrastinating studying for a Financial Accounting exam by writing this blog....). I wish I had more time to reflect on the year that has passed, but alas it will have to wait till July, when I go to Croatia for some much needed R&R on the coast! Good friends, truffles, beach, sun, culture and lots and lots of wine ahead! Then, off to South Africa for more of the wonderful craziness that is my life.
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