By Randall Butler
As you read this, thirty-five courageous men and women are on a journey in Croatia. Their physical location will not change (except for an occasional field trip to the coast) for they are not touring to see the ancient villages and beautiful islands of the Dalmatian Coast. Theirs is a journey of transformation and discovery, which is why I call them courageous.
They are purposely crossing boundaries that most of us are not brave enough to get near or even consider venturing across. They are finding openings in the walls that separate enemies and walking through them not to attack each other but to build relationships. Serbs, Bosnians, Kosovars, Albanians, Croats, Macedonians joined by some Northern Irish, Americans, Romanians and Dutch – they are challenging the mental models, the ethnic stereotypes and misunderstandings that would keep them divided.
Along the way they are also speaking the truth about the atrocities each side has committed against the other. They speak the truth not in order to whip up their hatred of the other but to acknowledge the suffering of all and the need for a new collective future. Together they are learning the power of forgiveness to remove the shackles of bitterness, spite, and hatred.... Randall Butler, The Institute for Sustainable Peace.... Read all HERE.
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