Dear Partner in Peacebuilding,
As we welcome this new year of 2017, I would like to personally thank you for your inspiring commitment to building global peace and prosperity for all. Despite the many challenges and much turmoil around the world in 2016, in every corner of the globe, we find examples of heroic men and women striving to uplift their communities, nations, and indeed the entire human family. Such examples remind us that when we join together for the greater good, and tap the power of the human spirit, we can overcome even the most daunting circumstances.
From one perspective, it appears that our world is becoming more divided and polarized than ever before. We now have unprecedented access to news and information about each other, whether current events in real time or mountainous data on our attitudes and preferences. With an acute focus on our differences, we can often forget our fundamental connectedness.
At Global Peace Foundation, we believe a shared future is within our reach, and that our shared identity and common aspirations as members of the human family establish the basis for sustainable peace.
The most essential human experiences are of family, no matter one’s race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, etc. All of us know that members of a family may differ – on personal preferences and even convictions about politics and religion – yet share a fundamental connectedness. People everywhere easily relate to the notion of the “human family.”
The diverse faith and wisdom traditions of the world affirm a conviction that we are one – that our common humanity draws us together because our human nature finds its fullest expression and meaning in relation to others. A vision that points toward a shared future based on our common humanity – as expressed in the simple yet profound phrase “one family under God” – is more compelling and relevant than ever before.
At Global Peace Foundation, we believe a shared future is within our reach, and that our shared identity and common aspirations as members of the human family establish the basis for sustainable peace. Our work in over 20 countries builds broad awareness of the central importance of universal principles and shared values as the basis for social cohesion and peacebuilding. We implement programs that apply this vision and demonstrate the efficacy of this values-based approach. The following “2016 Year in Review” provides a brief synopsis of our recent programs and progress.
This year, let us strive to find the deeper basis of our interconnectedness, and to more deeply understand the meaning and application of “unity in diversity.” What can we do within our families, within our communities, to contribute to the greater good? What can we do together to advance a movement for global peace?
May 2017 bring many advances in our collective efforts to serve the greater good. Best wishes to you and your family for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
incerely,
James P. Flynn
International President
Global Peace Foundation