| Disharmony has "many
faces"-- the range is from war or genocide
to community and domestic
violence and includes conflict of any sort. Tie
diversity amongst peoples is the nature of humankind.
Reactions to this diversity occur in the form of
what we can call "differences," which
is anything
perceptual or conceptual which can divide peoples.
The movement to embrace a way to survive our
reactions to the diversity dates back to the beginnings
of what has been called "civilization."
However, resolving these perceptions of "us
and them" has become more and more complicated
in
our ever increasing mechanized world. Our ability
to survive harmoniously has become more and
more difficult.
The effort to create a world in a culture of peace
in the midst of diversity and in the midst of
differences marks the beginning of what has been
called "peace psychology." However, the
issue is
not within the purview of psychology alone--because
the overall and underlying concern is in regard
to humanity as a whole and to the survival of the
human race. Peace, therefore, becomes not just the
absence of war, nor even the resolution of conflicts,
but the presence of qualities, values, and
approaches in human relationships that build greater
harmony. This harmony occurs through the
generation of acceptance and understanding of diversity
and understanding ways to share the
resources, both those which are seen (e.g., minerals),
and those which are not seen (e.g., values). It
also involves ways of creating more understanding
toward the resolution of differences which would
interfere with our abilities to understand our
natural diversity.
A preventive approach to disharmony or conflict
is essential; that is, any and all differences which
intervene in relation to conflict resolution and
peacebuilding. It is this dimension, often hidden
from
view, that makes peace on any level possible. This
spiritual dimension has been and is essential to
all
religions and humanistic endeavors of all forms.
It is always compassionate. In addition, it is slowly
being recognized as the only way to survive and
thrive into the 21st century.
Caregivers of all kinds, be they medical, psychological,
administrative or financial, all over the globe
are beginning to recognize that without a vision--a
concern for humanity--the issue of material
survival is not possible. Without this concern,
without this orientation, there is no strength to
overcome difficulties. There is no place to give
both inside or externally in the world in order
to get
beyond the difficulties at hand. Helping people
in any way as an "attitude" and as an
"action" is a
unifying force globally. Therefore we are all members
of a supportive community regardless of our
expertise.
We, invite all of our colleagues who are concerned
and committed to helping others to come forth
and generate a new commitment to this purpose.
For further information, please contact: Steve
Handwerker, Ph.D., D.Div., 7300 W. Camino Real,
Suite 229, Boca Raton, FL 33433; e-mail:
peacewk@peacewk.org; phone: (561)447-6700.
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