Recently, some of us from Launching Leaders attended the Global Business & Interfaith Peace Symposium and Awards in Seoul, Korea, where I represented our team in accepting a medal for excellence in youth leadership. Our conference was attended by heads of state, including the past prime minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, and the UN Former Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (the current honorary chairman of UN Global Compact Korea), Korean congressmen and the minister of foreign affairs and the equivalent of the leader of the house of South Korea, along with many other dignitaries. This event is always held between the Olympics and the Para Olympics in the country in which they are held.
In advance of this award and event, a newspaper reporter asked me what this medal represents, and in an indirect way, why are we receiving it? Perhaps he wasn’t the only one who is wondering; so let me explain my perspective. The award recognizes contributions to interfaith understanding and peace. Launching Leaders has a proven track record of bringing together groups of many faiths and witnessing them apply their own faith toward the principles taught, and emerging with a bigger heart for peace, tolerance, and hope in the human spirit. I believe this is what we are being recognized for; the unique application of principles and faith and its relationship to interfaith peace and understanding.
Our experience in Korea was humbling as well as empowering. The morning of the conference, the headline and giant photo on the newspaper was of the South Korean delegation shaking hands with Kim Jong- Un. Can you imagine the elation and the feeling of HOPE that was there? To see this hope in a nation that has lived with conflict and tension for centuries was a sweet experience and very palpable.
While there, we went to the National Assembly in Korea—their version of congress, where they awarded the Global Peace Prize. It was awarded to Brian Grim, President of the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation, with whom we partner on interfaith initiatives. During this ceremony, the leaders of nations, and of varied faiths and religions, forming a line for press photos, and spontaneously stood in front of the assembly and clasped their hands as they sang with a HOPE like never before, the Korean song of reunification.
In addition, a very touching moment came when the former Japanese Prime minister stood before the Korean people and expressed a sincere apology for the atrocities of his nation on the Korean people during the years of war. He said “We will say I’m sorry until there is no need to continue to say ‘I’m sorry’.” Think of this, an apology that stands as long as it is needed to heal the wounds of the past.
These are just a couple of the experiences that literally changed us, and that reminded us that peace begins in the heart. Global peace can best start with inner peace; and this is best grown from the establishment of knowing your true identity, developing core values, good habits, and a desire to be a positive part of a holistic world. This is the essence of Launching Leaders.
Amidst the atmosphere of hope and elation during this conference, stood in the background the cloud of tension this country and people have lived with for generations. With this and recent US events surrounding tragedy and chaos (school shootings, etc.) in mind, a reporter asked me this question:
“In your blog you said that “It is NEVER too late to make a difference”. Yet, watching the news it seems it is already too late. Why should we even try?”
Ironically, as I pondered this question and the dark conclusion of “why should we even try?” it was clearer to me than ever before that the work we are involved with, including those we partner with are relevant for our times.
I responded, “It is amazing how much influence ONE good person can have. Yes, we live in a very troubled world, but if you could see what I see as a result of those who graduate from our courses, you would have a lot of hope for our future. Think of our Pakistani Catholic student, who feared religious persecution in her homeland before fleeing to England—-where our course was being taught at the Catholic Chaplaincy in Manchester. And then to find in her Launching Leaders class a variety of faiths including Muslims. Watching her learn that all people yearn for the same things (peace, acceptance, understanding, love, tolerance, and so forth— the principles and values that LL taught them to explore were not religion specific, but universal), and to participate then in a culminating class service project (idea resulted in their class), which was to paint the local mosque. To see her learn empathy for her Muslim classmates who were experiencing their own forms of persecution—–Think of this TRANSFORMATION. It’s NOT too late—-it’s NEVER too late to live into a higher purpose and to change the world for the good as we do so. As long as ONE person can experience change that brightens their life and view of it—it’s not too late.”
It is with gratitude we accepted the award, and invigorated our purpose to a new level. Remember, there are NO coincidences. We can all make this world a better place.
The Global Business & Interfaith Peace Symposium and Awards is initiative of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Business for Peace platform, the Global Compact Network Korea, and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.