| from: | Thang Cin Lian tclian@gmail.com via yahoogroups.com | ||
| reply-to: | zominam@yahoogroups.com | ||
| to: | zominam@yahoogroups.com, tclianlian | ||
| date: | Fri, Aug 10, 2012 at 10:33 AM | ||
| subject: | [ZOMI NAM] CCIA ah Aung San Suu Kyi | ||
| ===== |
6.08.12
“Profound acceptance of the others, and a willingness to be open to
unity in diversity will uphold values of reconciliation, peace and
security in any society and community,” said Nobel Peace Laureate Aung
San Suu Kyi to the participants of international consultation on
“Peace, Security and Reconciliation in Myanmar”, organized by the
Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the
World Council of Churches (WCC).
In collaboration with the Christian Conference of Asia and the Myanmar
Council of Churches (MCC), the consultation took place from 2 to 5
August at the headquarters of the MCC in Yangon, Myanmar.
Offering simple but profound ways to peace building, the world icon of
people’s struggle for human rights, freedom and democratization, Suu
Kyi engaged in dialogue with the participants.
“One should go beyond the borders of hatred and jealousy, only then
can one think of reconciliation and peace. Reconciliation will not
begin only in one direction. Once reconciliation is achieved, then
only peace can be attained and security can be ensured. A society that
cannot achieve reconciliation will not be peaceful,” said Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi, one of the world’s most prominent political prisoners, now
promotes reconciliation and peace in ethnically and politically
divided Myanmar. She had been detained under house arrest for more
than 15 years until her last release in November 2010.
She was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, but she received the prize
finally in June this year in Oslo. While receiving the prize, Suu Kyi
said, “For me receiving the Nobel Peace Prize means personally
extending my concerns for democracy and human rights beyond national
borders. The Nobel Peace Prize opened up a door in my heart.”
Suu Kyi spoke with the participants at the MCC headquarters and spoke
about the need to find peace within oneself in order to engage in
peace building. She said, “Righteous people do not exaggerate their
own power, they see the good in others, which is essential for
reconciliation and peace. The ability to see more good in others is a
key to reconciliation and peace.
Going beyond borders for the sake of reconciliation
“If a person is jealous of the other, then that person will always
hate the other. Hatred is the most dangerous human emotion. People who
have no confidence in themselves try to find fault with others and
they bring hatred and more negative characteristics in their
relations. Through such actions they destroy peace and harmony in a
community and nation. One should go beyond the borders of hatred and
jealousy and then only we can think of reconciliation and peace,”
added Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi’s good sense of humor and willingness to speak truth to power
were evident as she urged participants to “turn your programme’s
emphasis upside down by putting reconciliation first – then peace, and
only when you have peace will you have security.”
In response to the ecumenical family’s sustained and ongoing concern
for Suu Kyi’s struggle during the past several decades, she noted her
own personal grounding in the Buddhist spiritual tradition, and
expressed gratitude for the solidarity and prayers for people of all
faiths.
To a question on the international community’s role in a country’s
particular context of economic development, democratization and rule
of law, Suu Kyi replied, “Rule of law and justice cannot be separated.
Economic development is not a substitute to democracy in any society,
and political development is needed to attain peace among people and
communities. The international community has a key role in
reconciliation and peace building in any affected societies.”
The participants thanked Suu Kyi for her willingness to meet and
dialogue with participants at the consultation. They expressed
gratitude for her clear, determined and principled nonviolent peace
building initiatives and love for her people, a unique model for
others in a conflict-affected world today.
The CCIA consultation, attempting to evolve strategies for peace
building in politically and ethnically divided Myanmar, was attended
by around 40 participants. The consultation suggested several action
plans for wider ecumenical engagement of accompanying churches in
responding to conflicts, initiating Christian participation in
reconciliation and building communities of peace in Myanmar.
More information on the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs.
WCC member churches in Myanmar (Burma)
