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Elie Wiesel urged all participants to “think higher and feel deeper” and observed that “to remain silent and indifferent is the greatest of all sins.”  When asked “how does one know when to act in the face of injustice?” Wiesel’s response was simple: “Immediately.  Do not allow catastrophe or hatred to gain strength ever.”  Alice’s question became the organic theme of the Forum and her challenge was referred to throughout the dialogues.  Her remarks were echoed by Rabbi Bycel, who has worked extensively in Darfur.  Bycel insisted that the pursuit of justice requires us to restore meaning to the words “never again” and spoke of new and creative strategies in confronting violence.  Alice also insisted on the critical need to protect the witnesses of violence in the pursuit of justice.

 

“Conflict is a source of transformation.” – Search for Common Ground

The opening day closed with a session led by the Forum Facilitator, Mark Gerzon (Mediators Foundation).  Gerzon expertly helped weave the different parts of the Forum into a coherent and cohesive experience.  During his Essential Guide to the Forum, attendees agreed to guidelines for participation, were encouraged to enter into dialogue rather than debate and to honor, not avoid, differences.  Gerzon invited participants to be engaged in a learning lab and to recognize that “we cannot solve problems with the same consciousness that created them.”

“Shifts happen.” – Public Conversations Project

The Forum design was such that each of the plenary sessions was followed by smaller group discussions using the dialogue methodologies of Angeles Arrien & Patrick O’Neill, Facing History and Ourselves, Public Conversations Project, Search for Common Ground and The World Café.  A keystone belief was that communities cannot shift violence unless individuals within those communities are personally empowered and skilled in communication during conflict.

 

“The greatest challenge facing our world in the 21st century will not be a conflict over resources, culture, or ideology – it will be our ability to resolve those conflicts without violence.” – RockRose Institute

In a Conversation with Secretary Madeleine Albright, led by Jane Wales (World Affairs Council of Northern California), Secretary Albright urged “a moral foreign policy, not a moralistic one.”  Later in the plenary, Secretary Albright was joined by Fatima Gailani (Afghan Red Crescent Society), Katherine Marshall (Georgetown University, formerly of the World Bank) and Kavita Ramdas (Global Fund for Women) to address Economics and Justice.  [Click here to view the video clip.]

 

“The most important dialogue is with those with whom you do not agree.” – Maha ElGenaidi

Jeff Bleich (San Francisco attorney) facilitated a lively discussion of Whose Law Is It Anyway: Religious and Secular Visions of Justice, including Maha ElGenaidi (Islamic Networks Group), Dean Alan Jones (Grace Cathedral) and Judge John Noonan (Ninth Circuit Court).  As Dean Jones said, “It is very difficult to have a passion for moderation” but that passion is what permits the formidable middle to hold even in the face of deep divisions.  [Click here to view a related video news clip.]

 

“Forgiveness cannot be imposed.” – Juan Mendez

Eva Paterson (Equal Justice Society), Chaiwat Thirapantu (Bangkok Forum), Juan Mendez (International Center for Transitional Justice and U.N. Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide) and Dr. Joseph Marshall (Omega Boys Club) addressed shifting the way we look at justice issues in their discussion on Re-visioning Justice.  The dialogue focused on each individual’s personal power and responsibility to create openings for positive change in their communities and that the local has a global impact.  Dr. Marshall insisted that violent conflict prevention, particularly among youth in the world, must be addressed with the same effort, resources and scientific precision expended on any medical crisis.  In his work with gang youth, Marshall remarked, "I tell them I know that they know how to die, but I ask them whether they know how to live."

Juan Mendez described the "thirst for justice" as "universal" and that for transitional justice to be achieved in communities that have experienced mass violence, it must be 1) in consultation with all stakeholders, 2) subject to democratic debate but not dependent upon majority view, 3) implemented by fair procedure, 4) transparent and 5) for the sake of justice and accountability, not politics.  In his remarks, Chaiwat Thirapantu also reaffirmed the universal need for justice and the importance of each and every individual to commit each day to a meaningful life.  As Eva Paterson remarked, "I am going to die anyway.  The question is how am I going to live?"

 

“You can and, indeed absolutely MUST, do something to make the world a better place, to try to ratchet down the violence…” – Eva Paterson

At the close of the Forum, over 100 people made commitments to action initiatives that RockRose is following with updates.  RockRose is also sponsoring a professionally-led success-case study to measure the impact of this face-to-face and interactive Forum.

 

It’s all in the beginning…

In an ironic twist, Elie Wiesel was assaulted on the first evening of the Forum, after his presentation and as he was departing for his scheduled flight home.  At the time of the incident, the details and reason for the assault were unknown.  Out of respect for Prof. Wiesel's privacy, concern for his safety as the assailant was still at large, and cooperation with the criminal investigation, the Forum organizers did not announce this incident.  Subsequently, RockRose learned that the investigating authorities believed the alleged assailant to be a Holocaust denier who wanted Prof. Wiesel to recant his witnessing of the Holocaust.  The accused assailant has been arrested and is facing criminal charges in San Francisco.  We have extended our sympathy for and support of Prof. Wiesel.  The incident and its apparent motivation only reaffirm the need to respond immediately to issues addressed at the Forum as so many are now doing.

"The focus on the individual, on what an individual CAN do, is so important in a world where it is easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless." – Lizbeth Hasse, Forum Participant

WORLD FORUM 2007     ROCKROSE INSTITUTE     YOUTH DIALOGUE PROJECT

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