In the beginning...

So, I start to do some "guerrilla". During March, I tried to search people that have same passion about peace and making interfaith dialogue. In the community development analysis, the name is micro process. I start to build conversations with my closest friends in campus. I am so fortunate that I study about community development. With this study, I can talk about any important issues that happen in Indonesia in development perspective that includes peace and faith issues. So I discuss with Andri, my incredible friend of discussion. We share that peace should be start from the most basic things, a relationship.

A book from Lederach reminds us about creating " a moral imagination". One of the story is about a professor in Afghanistan who tried to build peace by making soulful dialogue with one of the Mullah, religious leader in that country. In another story tells how a group of women in Africa try to pursuing peace by doing what women usually do in that area, building a safe market that every women in that community can trade in secure place. The point is, peacebuilding need a creative act. In my own thinking, creating a group is one of the starting point to pursue this objective. I hope it become a snowball of many other positive actions. From the discussion with Andri, I learnt that this group is not only for share the common things but also understanding differences.

I also try to engage with other friends, that have same eagerness. Most of them agreed that the dialogue should build in mutual and respectful relationship. It is good to focus on how people can share their perspective that can help others. A friend agreed that 'just be yourself' in the group. My other friend Ratna who interested to join in the group said she is longing of this kind of dialogue since she has similar group while she in Indonesia. In short, this micro method 0-1 process succeed in reaching 7 people. We agreed to meet this weekend just to set up first meeting. I really hope we can enjoy our discussion and knowing the expectation of each persons. Therefore, I cross my finger for this meeting. Just lets do some actions!

Life2Share Community

Yea,
I have difficulties in pouring my progress in this blog. I try to, like now...
So, at previous article, I explain about my view on community. Now, I want to explain about the community that I tried to build. I want to say it "Life2Share" community. The idea is so simple. It is a 'melting pot' community. Friends that come from different perspectives of faith joining together as a group and share their worldview to other in a good sense of dialogue and respecting other.

Why I am thinking to made this group?
It starts when I'm thinking about my country, Indonesia. Indonesia, as we know, is very diverse, including the religion. However, I am so sad that I see in the last 10 years there are several social upheavals that occurred in Indonesia because of religion matters that might create crisis of nationhood. Even though, many people might argue that those conflicts are complex and multifaceted, but many reports and news said that religion factors still prominent (See this and there). We live in diversity, but why is it difficult to accept difference? What's happening? It would certainly be many reasons and will be a study that is profound and widespread.

I have passion in doing something about peace in Indonesia. Studying community development and some of Peace studies courses make me realize that peace-building efforts should start from the simple and small things. And for me it started from my own and those around me. One thing that cross in my mind is how to connect my incredible friends from various background to build a group or small community that have same passion for better Indonesia, a peaceful Indonesia. I believe if people can share their worldview and listen to other as well, the empathy will flourish and peace process will start when we can engage with other. This is the embryo of "life2share" community.

What do you think? How the small community can contribute in ‘peace process”?