dhi's words have often been quoted, but they are none the less true for that: "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." The UN lit a candle fifty years ago when it issued its Declaration of Human Rights. It gave ordinary people the sense that they had the right to equal treatment and that governments were obliged to respect that right. We can sense the influence of the UN Declaration in the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in South Africa, which has uncovered crimes committed during the dark days of apartheid. The Declaration also gave people a new awareness of their own responsibility for Justice and Peace. Private organisms like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Development and Peace, Third World Action, have enabled ordinary citizens to become involved with the people of other countries who are subject to injustices. International Tribunals have been set up, prosecutions instituted, judicial action taken. Those responsible for genocide or crimes against humanity have been tracked down and brought to justice, sometimes after twenty or thirty years of luxurious retirement in some rich country. The candles are slowly being lit.
We might listen to some prophetic voices. Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko of Bukavu: "As pastor of the People of God, I address myself to the faithful of Bukavu and to men and women of good will. We must realize that peace is not in the first place the result of armed combat but rather of the more difficult human cultural and spiritual combat. We urgently appeal to local authorities to stop soldiers from looting villages and parishes in the interior of the country. We urge them to stop all the hunting down of people and to halt the vast number of arrests. Such practices do nothing to restore an atmosphere of serenity. We appeal once more to the conscience and sense of responsibility of military and political authorities, both national and international, to work for the construction of a durable peace which will be profitable to all." (Bukavu, 5 December 1998)
We may think too of the Vietnamese lady, Kim Thuc. She was a victim of American napalm bombs and became a symbol for a whole generation when she fled naked along a Vietnam road. "To pass from a war culture to a peace culture is not an impossible dream. It can become a reality if we truly want it to." Kim Thuc lives at the moment in Toronto and is an ambassador with UNESCO.
We are all acquainted with some organism which works for human rights. The Afrika Centre in Montreal (1644 rue St-Hubert), for example, organizes meetings to help Africans and Canadians to get to know each other better by discussing a variety of subjects of common interest. In particular, the Centre provides opportunities for rich people to meet poor people whom they would never otherwise see, and promotes activities which seek to present Africa in a positive light. This is one example of work for improving the world.
"Peace on earth to men of good will," is the Christmas message. A New Year will shortly be dawning, a year which will finally give way to the Year 2,000 and the next millennium. What are the little candles we can light to show the way to future peace? Each one no doubt must decide for himself or herself.
Here are some suggestions:
* Take part in the Walk for Peace with the Young of the World.
* Sign a petition for Third World Action.
* Join an organism dedicated to promoting international justice or development.
* Make a gift to Development and Peace or to a missionary community.
* Take part in a memorial service for victims of violence, (like that for the young women killed ten years ago at the Polytechnic Institute.)
* Pray for peace in the world.
* Buy a book about peace for your children.
* Be reconciled with a neighbour or relative.
* Wish each other peace during family feasts.
Our wish: Do not just keep the peace: spread it.
Paix (French). Shalom (Hebrew). Amahoro (Kinyarwanda). Amani (Kiswahili). Here (Bambara). Peace!
Michel Fortin, M.Afr.