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One Degree Closer to a Peaceful Future
D9930 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from New Zealand, Robbie Francis,
writes from Tel Aviv celebrating completion of her scholarship.
It’s hard to sum up the last year in a few words, however, I think
the events surrounding my graduation reflect my time here – a time
of extremes, oxymorons and irony.
My flatmates and I were at home preparing for the festivities and
all had guests arriving for the graduation ceremony, so it was a
pretty exciting time. Just as we were putting on our dresses, we got
the news that terrorist activity had escalated just hours from where
we live.
Terrorists had entered into Southern Israel through the Egyptian
border and opened fire on a public bus with rifles, grenades and
explosives just outside of Eilat – a holiday spot I visited in June.
When others arrived to help, a suicide bomber detonated his
explosive belt killing himself and the bus driver.
Simultaneously mortars and qassam rockets were fired from Egypt and
Gaza. In response, the IDF fired back, destroying rocket launchers
and smuggling tunnels.
Casualties included eight Israelis, terrorists, Egyptian
military/police and Gazans, not to mention a five-year-old Gazan
boy.
We arrived at the graduation venue with mixed emotions. Here we were
celebrating a degree in conflict resolution, and hours away people
were dying, violence was escalating and the Egyptian/Israeli peace
treaty was being violated; and we asked ourselves “what good is our
degree? How can we ever help in such a volatile situation? What is
our role in this conflict?”
It quickly became clear, however, that asking such questions can be
limiting and dangerous, as was highlighted by the speakers at the
ceremony.
It is times like these that the degrees of my colleagues and I are
more important than ever. We can and will make a difference. To
doubt ourselves is to discredit a year of hard work and, even though
we are young, we are the workings of a more peaceful future.
This was eloquently put by the students who, during the graduation,
planted a pomegranate tree on the university campus as a legacy for
our cohort, and said while we might not be around to eat its fruit
or sit in its shade, we are planting a seed for future generations
who will. In much the same way, while we might not have a direct
influence on the tragic terrorist attacks in the South today, we, as
resolutionists, mediators and negotiators, are the workings behind a
more peaceful future.
Over the last year I’ve grown; I’ve had my eyes opened to both the
horrors of international conflict and violence, but also to the most
beautiful advancements towards international peace.
My heart has broken over the racism and violence that plagues the
Middle East, but I have also been encouraged and blessed by some of
the most kind hearted, open and inspiring people I’ve ever met.
My thanks go to God, to Rotary, and to my whanau and friends who
have all stood behind me and supported me in both NZ and Israel. So, from me, signing out of the Middle East – Shalom, salaam, peace to you all. |
