A Grassroots Initiative for Peace – When A Name Doesn’t Matter
an article by Joanne Tawfilis

While attending an organizational meeting of a Southern California grass roots organization (www.ocgp.org/), that didn’t even have a name, it occurred to me that support for a Culture of Peace is moving forward, despite dire headlines we witness from daily newscasts.

The meeting objective was to gather people together who lived in and around the geographic area to discuss the notion that an international multicultural center would be a good thing for their community and the world. This objective was thrilling and as an invited guest, I expected to see only a small handful of people to attend. Instead, a group of more than 60 people showed up to join the round table discussion and to decide what actions they might engage in.

Among them were citizens of all age groups involved in careers ranging from community organization and cultural leaders to local politicians, investment bankers, architects, technical people, artists, and teachers, to name but a few. What was most interesting however, was a proud visible difference in ethnic backgrounds that clearly illustrated a multicultural and interested population. During the evening, someone commented that they felt like they were sitting in the midst of a United Nations meeting.

The meeting was lively and substantive and a clear exchange of ideas was welcomed and ideas began to flourish as people readily signed on to form a coalition and for individual roles required for a series of committee work that needed to be done.

I am confident that they will build their envisioned gathering place of peace and cultural diversity—the group will accept nothing less. The community effort was truly inspiring and most of all, displayed that appreciating that people are different and that everyone has something to contribute to the community was one fine example why Rediscovering Solidarity is one of the eight peace keys.

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