Caravan: Newsletter of the Alliance for a Responsible and United World (Volume 5, April 2000)

Number 5

April 2000

Contents

	From Readers
	Editorial
	Alliance in Motion
	Oasis of the Alliance
	YOUTH WORKSHOP
	South Asia '00-'01
	YIN-YANG WORKSHOP
	The Artist
	Acknowledgements
	Cover Page

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I just received the fourth edition of Caravan. It is evident, both in reading it and by simply touching it, that there lies a healthy and efficient ecological sensitivity behind this magazine.

Throughout its articles, one also finds a certain essential element of humanistic utopia, without which it would undoubtedly be impossible to find an alternative to the planet-wide orchestration of avarice. The beginnings of a movement, of a new part of history, are beginning to manifest themselves against fatalistic resignation and withdrawal. Action is positively taking shape.

Already, a diversity of experiences is being heard, and people are organising themselves into collaborative efforts. I am aware of this weaving of curiosity and of sincere respect for others and for their visions, values, struggles and hopes. This platform is truly beautiful and so useful and open to all types of expression.

Sid Ali Chick (France)

Thank you for sending the fourth edition of Caravan (October 1999). This link through writing is important. I intend to ensure that this document be read by those whose spirits agree, but who are not yet active. Thank you for keeping Mali in your list of correspondents.

Djoliba remains available to organise a meeting with active "messengers" of the Alliance for a Responsible and United World. May this third millennium bring forth the fruits of your commitment to reflection.

P. Francis Verstraete (Mali)
Directeur Centre Djoliba,
B.P. 298, Bamako, Mali.
E-mail: djoliba@malinet.ml
URL: www.malinet.ml/pratique/centredjo

From Readers

Have we begun to speak in a new language?

"A Celtic myth asserts that once, long ago, every form on earthly life shared a common language. But an angry god took this language away from human beings as a punishment for their argumentativeness, their jealousy, their pettiness. From then on, human beings lacked the ability to communicate, not only with other forms of life, but also with each other. The dire consequences of this have been manifested in the history of this troubled, violent century. How to return to this ancient state? Can we create a vision that encompasses all cultures? A vision that transcends race and religion, boundaries and borders, geography and ideology; a vision which ensures that the future will be a time of peace and plenty, of hope and happiness. The time has come. The moon has risen. But can we do it before the moon fades into the dawn?" (From: "The Right to Hope: Global Problems, Global Visions -- Creative Responses to our World in Need," Earthscan Publications, 1995)

This passage was written in the final years before the turn of a new century and a new millennium. A time which we dreamed would bring an end to the conflicts, diseases, starvation and injustice that had dominated the 20th century. Three months into this new millennium, have things changed? Have we begun to speak in a new language? Not the language which is our native tongue, or one which we learnt in school or from our families or the streets, but a language which crosses cultures and borders, which brings with it a vision and speaks of possibilities and potential, of hopes and dreams becoming realities. We, who have lived through this almost unique period of history, should be not merely witnesses to what has passed, but should take this knowledge and become visionaries and shapers of what can be achieved from this moment on. In doing this, we may create a new language of unity and understanding where difference and divisions are celebrated not condemned and where injustice and power imbalances are seen as distant memories of a time long passed, in the history books of the last millennium.

Gráinne Kelly (Northern Ireland)

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