ARK... Global Journeys for Young People to Build Peace
MULTIPOLAR ~ UNIVERSAL ~ GLOBAL INTERDEPENDENT ~ INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ~ COMMON GOOD
MULTILATERAL ~ COMMUNITY ~ UBUNTU ~
from ARK Director, Judy Maghakian
So many words in the opening of this October ARK News to all of you! Yet these very words flowed through the speech given by ANTÓNIO GUTTERES. SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS on September 26. 2018 to the General Council.
These words were laced with comments that were disturbing and necessary for ARK to be aware of. Comments like the following:
“Our world is suffering from a bad case of “Trust Deficit Disorder.” “Among countries, cooperation is less certain and more difficult.” “Multilateralism is under fire precisely when we need it most.” “Universal values are being eroded.” “The world is more connected, yet societies are becoming more fragmented.”
The MISSION STATEMENT OF ARK is that we are an INTERNATIONAL FAMILY existing to build bridges of trust through relationships and knowledge to promote peace. We have gathered and honored this statement as we listen, dialogue, communicate with one another as a FAMILY made up of seven countries. We have shared cultures, music, food, problems, hopes and solutions. We have become GLOBAL CITIZENS concerned for all humanity.
This term GLOBAL CITIZENS is now on a building located at Macalester College, a college in Minnesota. The full name is THE KOFI ANNAN INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP. When Kofi Annan was Secretary General of the United Nations, the MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS were developed and signed by 193 countries. They were the focus of our last SUMMIT IN NEW YORK. They continue to be our focus as we include a new country into the ARK FAMILY, ARMENIA!!
ARMENIA has an ancient history and is perhaps one of the oldest countries in the world. They have had a difficult journey which we will learn about. They are now on the Global Stage since the revolution called "VELVET" was sparked and led by the young people.Some of them will be part of ARK VIII held in ARMENIA the first two weeks of July, 2019. ARK has much to learn from them and they are eager to learn from all of you as TOGETHER we work to bring about a GLOBAL CONNECTED FAMILY. The last word in the long title of words is UBUNTU.
UBUNTU is a word birthed by Nelson Mandela. At his memorial service this was shared by President Barack Obama:
“There is a word in South Africa: UBUNTU, a word that captures Mandela’s greatest gift ~ his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye, that there is a oneness to humanity that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others and caring for those around us...He not only embodied UBUNTU, he taught millions to find that truth within themselves.”
The Secretary General of the United Nations concluded his speech with these words of hope:
“We share a common destiny. We can master anything if only we face it together. And that is why we have the United Nations. Our future rests on solidarity. We must repair broken trust. We must reinvigorate our multilateral project. And, we must uphold dignity for one and for all.”
This DEAR ARK FAMILY is what we have come together for and what we carry in our hearts, minds and bodies as we go forward. We come together to lift up UBUNTU and we come together to share our common destiny that we can create a new world for all. God ~ Allah goes with us. How exciting can that be?
UBUNTU!
Judy Maghakian, ARK Director, along with Global Coordinators: Leonel ~ Guatemala Dalia ~ Lithuania Chikondi ~ Malawi Kumars ~ Iran Sami ~ Palestine
Ehtasham ~ Pakistan Father Tadeos ~ Armenia Steve and Rev. Dr. Cornell Edmonds ~ USA
BEYOND BLOOD AND SKIN: THE GLOBAL PRODUCTION AND CONSEQUENCES OF RACE AND RACISM
The annual International Roundtable at Macalester College, Minnesota, USA, sponsored by the Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citizenship, was attended by Judy and some ARK members. The session attended was held at the Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center. (Stricker Dayton is a generous sponsor of ARK.
Plenary Speakers and further reading available below: Fatal Invention: Racism and the New Racial Science by Professor Dorothy Roberts, American scholar, public intellectual, and social justice advocate Race, Skin Color, and Genetic Ancestry: Implications for Biomedical Research on Health Disparities by Professor Rick Kittles. Dr. Kittles is well known for his research and health disparities among African Americans. The Techne of Trickery: Race, Memory, and Machines by Professor Premesh Lalu. Lalu is Professor of History and the Director of the Centre for Humanities Research at the University of the Western Cape.
ARMENIAN FESTIVAL IN MINNESOTA, USA
ARK Minnesota participated in a one-day Armenian festival at St. Sahag Armenian church led by Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan. The festival provided the opportunity to learn about the Armenian Genocide as well as enjoy authentic Armenian food, learn about Armenian culture, music, and religion. In return, Elsa Lee and Elaine Klassen shared their music.
WORDS OF GLOBAL CELEBRATION BY ARK PARTICIPANTS
“I go home to Palestine full of hope because my land is part of the world. I know that love and peace begins first in my own heart.”
“ARK is the number one program of the center of my life! I am a Global Citizen living in Palestine.”
“Kofi Annan is a hero in my village in Malawi, his program touches the world.”
“I go home to Malawi to fight for the common good of the whole world.”
“Leaders to make this a better world will come out of my country Malawi.”
“I know change will come as it has to my country Lithuania when we stand up.”
“I am from Lithuania, and I stand up for the Universal Human Rights for all.”
“Everything is given to us by the Creator of the Universe to continue to build a Universe that everyone can safely call home.”
“For me ARK is like a guiding star I take home to Lithuania to build a new world.”
“I speak up for refugees that are pouring into my country. We are one people and one world, no walls, no separation, no one left out.”
“Changes are taking place in my community in Guatemala. We have the ARK FAMILY standing with us, so we stand TOGETHER and speak out.”
“Our hearts, hands, minds are joined with our ARK FAMILY that is here in Guatemala and all around the world.”
“ARK VII glued together the GLOBAL FRIENDSHIPS of ARK. The impact of this will create a ripple effect that will touch hundreds of lives with peace so needed in the world today.”
SEED PROJECTS
The USA group is currently reviewing SEED projects. November's newsletter will provide next steps for SEED projects leading to ARK Summit VIII in Armenia the first two weeks of July 2019.
BLESSINGS FROM DR. REV. CORNELL EDMONDS
Thanks for your patience and friendship. I hope and pray this is not too late. Give my thanks and appreciation to Karen. We are coming along at the Church of the Covenant. Each day brings its own challenges. However, our faith is not shaken. Today our message was entitled, "If Only God Would Listen," which focused upon the hubris of humanity to think it has the power to influence the divine will. Job says, "Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments....There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge. .." (23:3-4, 7) Imagine that, to think that righteousness is sufficient for a woman's testimony to be believed. I can hear Jesus declaring, 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is oppressed to enter the political environment and be believed." Our learning for this age may be that righteousness is not enough to enter Kingdom of Heaven or correct misguided political pursuit. However, there is good news for those who despair the direction of courts, legislatures and executives and lament, "then who can be believed?" Jesus looks upon us and declares, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” (Mk 10:27) Regardless of the outcome in the Senate, resulting is the muffling of cries of women for justice, God is ever vigilant and hears not the self righteous shouts of our voices, but the humble yearnings of our hearts. When we yield our hearts to the almighty God, the silent tears of women around the world will be wipes away by the Everlasting Arm of God and the seemingly impossible with become evidently possible. Keep the faith my dear brothers and sisters, God is listening!
Special blessings,
Cornell.
Send your ideas and suggestions to: mag@arkforpeace.org.
