Agency Discourse Memo

Date: Feb 14, 2011
Class: English 1311 Prof. Lynn Gilden and students
Name: Carla Cruz
RE: Creativity for Peace

The courage to lead. The promise of change.

For years the Middle East has had on going battles amongst their neighboring states. These confrontations have caused many innocent deaths to the citizens of the Middle East. Many of the people have to live a life that has been given to them by force and are not able to freely enjoy their lives with whom they would like or how they would like to live. Power, which is given to the leaders and not the people, has been the only motivation offered to the citizen which they can not directly obtain. They are made to believe that the people living around them are and always will be their enemy. A change needs to be made in order to liberate these citizens from their on going troubles that will never end unless there is peace.

Creativity for Peace, located in Santa Fe, NM, has given adolescent girls and women from the Middle East an opportunity for change. For eight summers they have dedicated their time and effort to promote future peace leaders. Approximately 14-20 girls, mainly between the ages of 15- 17, are able to experience valuable and non violent encounters amongst their known to be enemies. This camp offers various programs that help the girls to safely interact with one another. They focus on young girls from different religions because they believe they can nurture future peace leaders who will return to their home land with plans to make their country better.

In order for all the girls to have a better understanding about each other, they all participate in 10- 13 hour conversation that helps them express their feelings and thoughts on the on going conflicts between them. The camp also offers creative ways for the girls to express themselves. All the girls enjoy their time at the camp by being creative, having social time and also going on field trips. This gives the girls the opportunity to realize how similar they are in ways they never thought possible.

Creativity for Peace has made a tremendous, yet small change for the Middle East. It has brought hope for a better future. The organization has widely made and effect on many people who are more than happy to enforce these great ideas Creativity for Peace has to offer. Further information can be viewed on their website.www.creativityforpeace.com

Central Asia Institute

Central Asia Institute is by far one of the greatest things that happened to central Asia. An education can be the key to a better future, especially to the women. The women in Asia were given a chance for change. They are not expected to just be a house wife and not have a mind of their own. They have been given the chance to expand their minds in a safe environment. Children have also been given the opportunity to have an education that can offer them a better future which can help them break free from how they use to live. It has also offered the community many jobs and hope for change.

Peace.

When I think of peace, I think of the worst. Peace might be a soothing or comforting word or some but not for me. At first it was a comforting word for me but things have only gotten worse since I was little. When I here the word peace the thought of it never happening comes to mind. I visualize how many people suffer without peace, especially in other countries. I think of the families that have lost their loved ones in acts of war or cruel intentions from others. If people of their own race cannot treat each other well I do not know how they will find it in their hearts to treat others better. Many people act upon jealousy or resentment and do not care who will get hurt. I do not see how there was ever peace or how the word came about if it never existed. I remember people even went through the phase of peace signs they had them on shirts, bracelets, stickers, shirts and purses, etc.  No one wore it for its actual meaning just for a fashion statement. I am not bitter about peace either, I'm just not in denial.There will never be peace if one cannot find it within themselves, all we have left is hope.