Barriers to Positive Peace

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I'm proud to be a Rotary Peace Fellow - and encourage people (especially recent University Graduates!) to consider the fellowship & scholarship opportunities provided by faithful Rotarians and Rotary International.  I can only say great things about the work of every Rotarian I have ever known!  (Here's a link on how to apply!)


It is a delight to be connected through Rotary Peace Fellowship work to world-recognized - culture-shaping persons - in this case, award winning photo-journalist, Richard Wainwright, who represents the quality & caliber of Rotary Peace Fellows.

Rich just posted an extended photo-journalistic piece on his blog (separate from his published work world-wide) on "Barriers to a Positive Peace."

I pull out to share this single image.  For me, there many ways to talk about this image.  The "David vs. Goliath" like imagery - except in reverse, culturally (?).  The Palestinian youth with sling shot in perfect swing for attack - an ancient form of warfare - next to what is perhaps a tree, hundreds of years old -  an olive tree, a symbol of peace out of place (?).  The backdrop - captured in a way that it could be edited out - except that it is a crucial part of the backdrop to this drama.  The modern barbed wire, Israel's barrier wall with requisite graffiti.  And, the reality of what the barrier separates - this Palestinian youth - separated from the crane and construction of new development (progress?) on lands where Israelis build disputed settlements.


As always - those of us working with the Eupan Global Initiative - hope for a world where all forms of violence, slings & stones, are no longer needed -  and where barriers of division can be dismantled to build bridges of peace.

Toward eupan ~

~ marty alan michelson, ph.d. 

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