"Ahlan wa sahlan" is a traditional Arabic phrase for "welcome." These words formed the backdrop for my recent trip to the United Arab Republic of Egypt. Spending 11 days in Egypt—which boasts a history of 5,000 rich, mysterious, and fascinating years—opened my eyes to the wonders of the Middle East and North Africa. Every moment held a heady mix of excitement and anticipation that stimulated my quest for deeper learning. However, it isn't just Egypt's rich history and phenomenal beauty that is forever etched into my memory but also my participation in the Global Peace Initiative held there.
I was one of 180 adults who participated in the 2003 People to People International (PTPI) Global Peace Initiative in Cairo. This unique experience, led by PTPI President and Chief Executive Officer Mary Jean Eisenhower, provided participants with an opportunity to learn more about the culture, people, history, economy, education, and political structure of Egypt. The conference was held in conjunction with PTPI's first-ever Peace Camp, which brought together more than 50 students from around the globe under the theme "Peace Camp: An Evolution of Thought and Action." Today's students face a changing world, and we need new ideas to help them succeed in building a lifelong commitment to the civil society.
Greater understanding between individuals and peoples worldwide can reveal universal values and aspirations. Professor Mona Makram-Ebeid, American University of Cairo, astutely opined that "boundaries will always exist in the world, but they will not serve any useful purpose today as people unite to create a civil society." From the release of 1,000 white doves in Cairo, symbolizing peace and freedom, to the Peace Walk in Sharm El Sheikh, the "City of Peace," I observed people who were not divided by boundaries but united by the desire to serve others.
Economist Jeremy Rifkin (1997) defines the civil society in the United States as "the social glue that unites the diverse interests of the American people into a coherent social identity." This implies that a renewed commitment to civil society may hold the key to connecting future generations with their communities and society at large. It means promoting the quality of life in our communities, through both political and nonpolitical processes.
Individuals can often be more effective than governments in promoting human relationships and world peace. During the Peace Initiative, participants had a chance to meet the first lady of Egypt, Suzanne Mubarak; Celia Sandys, granddaughter of Winston Churchill; Andrés Pastrana, former president of Colombia; Mary Jean Eisenhower; and other world-renowned figures working to bring people together for peace, community development, and human rights. These leaders reaffirmed the vital role of civil society in promoting a culture of peace—especially in Egypt and North Africa.
In our continuously changing world, people need to promote friendly relations among all countries. If we recoil from our civic engagement responsibilities, society and our communities eventually will stop paying attention altogether. To avoid such a sad outcome, we should demonstrate to both adults and young people that peaceful solutions are achievable on an individual, communal, and global level.
We must all be messengers for peace and understanding, forming a worldwide movement to build a civil society.