Future Leader's Conference 2009

Sometimes I think the only way the human community will achieve some iota of solidarity is against a common threat or enemy. Take, for example, the cinematic premise of some extra-terrestrial force or presence that threatens to wipe out the human race-only then can we all come together and agree that we are all endangered by some thing. In this scenario no one nation, no one continent suffers more than another in the face of imminent danger or death because after all it is the fate of the world that is at hand. Well what if the fate of the world-society at large-humanity-the global community has already reached this defining moment and many times over? You see, at least one problem with this story line is precisely its essence: united. . .to defeat a common enemy or threat and with this objective you have both American and Chinese, Pakistani and Indian, Israeli and Palestinian, and the whole continent of Africa taking up arms to slaughter an shared enemy. But what if? Just what if these were not the militaristic means to which we came together as a human community? What if two groups-violently entrenched in war against one another for three decades-sat together in a room for five days and decided together the threat itself was difference, fear, hatred, violence and discord. This is what we witnessed a couple of weeks ago at the Future Leader's Conference put on by Sri Lanka Unites. 

At this conference, students ages 12-18, came together from all over the Island-from the south of Galle, the east of Batticaloa, the west of Colombo, the north of Jaffna and many towns in between. Granted these students were selected as the leaders of their respective schools and communities but I assure you that what they accomplished was nothing short of transcendent as it was not just this singular event, rather it was the commitment that each student vowed in taking reconciliation back to their schools, communities and homes. After day one passed along with all of its apprehensions, I saw these children from widely varying backgrounds-Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist along with Burghers, Tamils and Singhalese-take hold against the great transgressions of their forefathers. Of course, the notorious 3-decade long feud that I speak of is the assault against the government waged by the LTTE for a separate state and has, at least, ostensibly been the result of ethnic offense between the Tamils and Singhalese. Both sides have incurred a stream of atrocities-from massive community burnings, namely the early 80's when thousands of lives

 and homes were lost amidst riots, to suicide bombings, one of which in 1996 killed 80 people in one blow. This is the legacy that has been left for these young people to rectify and I trust that with the overall enthusiasm and vigor that we witnessed this event will not be found wanting. However, I must admit that with all the important speakers and special guests and performers there was one thing that stood out to me in getting this movement mobilized and that was the fact that these kids showed up. 

I have learned that as long as human beings walk the earth, words will never match the power of actions. And so you will say to me: but surely no person can act without the transmission of words whether written or in speech! Even still I cannot underscore enough the power of showing up, the deed, the act, the movement of such great and varying methods: nonviolent civil disobedience, the fast, the hunger strike, the sit-in and the constant and unrelenting appeals made by those people of various groups to their Government, their law-bodies and to society at large. And thats what these young people have done. They have laid a deep and severe appeal to one another and their country that they will no longer allow their destinies to be determined by hatred. This is one thing that I have gathered in Sri Lanka from our experiences, from our readings and from our work such that I feel compelled not even to give my word to prove something rather I just go on and prove it. This, I feel, is the key to avoiding those empty words, unfulfilled promises and yet-to-have-seen vows and plans that never seem to materialize yet are filled with talk and talk and talk. This, I am afraid to say, has been an incredible shortfall of my own too and I wish to make a mends by cautioning my tongue as if to censor my own hopes and promises only to liberate them at the proper time and place in all of their glory and proper intent.