Abraham Lincoln is often quoted as saying, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side.” But too often political and religious leaders select passages from sacred texts to bolster their own beliefs or prejudices.God must be appalled at hearing his/her name being used as justification for bigotry, discrimination, torture […]

Ten years ago I took part in a forum of scholars, social psychologists and racial dialogue practitioners, marking the 50th anniversary of Brown v Board of Education.  At the time we noted that American schools were reversing much of the progress toward integration achieved since the Supreme Court decision.    That same year, our youngest son graduated from Richmond Public Schools. […]

The theme of this year’s Lenten series at my church was “radical welcome.”  So I have been reflecting on what it actually means to create a welcoming space in my life, my friendships and my work with Initiatives of Change.  It takes courage to reveal your true convictions when you feel you may be alone in your beliefs among a […]

I have been reading Making Our Democracy Work by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer (Knopf 2010). One passage may be of particular relevance to the struggle for democracy now underway in many parts of the world from South Sudan to Egypt. It is also a challenge to those in Washington whose reluctance to follow the basic operating principles of […]

It is difficult not to write about Ukraine at this time. And I realize how little I and most of us really know about this huge country, the second largest in Europe, which now stands at the crossroads of history. Recently, I read Bloodlands: Europe between Hitler and Stalin by historian Timothy Snyder of Yale University (Basic Books, 2010). It […]

Tuesday – Day 5 Getting practical Throughout these days there has been virtually no public criticism of the United States. This is remarkable given its long history of interference in Latin American affairs. However, I think most people here recognize that there is a need for honest conversation and I have appreciated the opportunity over meals to at least begin […]

Monday – Day 4 Regaining trust and confidence Today has been another very intensive day. We began by gathering in national groups to consider some of the things we most hoped for in our countries.German Munich from Argentina spoke of his longing to end the deep political divisions as a result of violent repression under the military dictatorship in the […]

Sunday – Day 3 Becoming a learning community Today the International Council of IofC reported to the Encuentro on their visits to several Latin American countries. The council members hail from Mexico, USA, Canada, India, Taiwan, Nigeria (absent because of visa difficulties), Egypt, the UK, Australia and Sri Lanka. All were deeply touched by the warmth of hospitality they received […]

Friday – Day 1 Partnership building I have just arrived in Bogota, Colombia, to join colleagues from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean for an “Encuentro” – a time of fellowship, shared learning and partnership building.   “From the heart of the Americas: weaving a community of Change” is the theme of this gathering. Over the past several […]