Melbourne, Australia—The 2018 Peace Building Seminar series theme is: “Building a Culture of Values and Peace in Australia.” The series of seminars seeks to open a conversation about universally shared values that can be used to build peace. This seminar was the first in a series of four to be held this year to explore the moral, spiritual and methodological principles that underpin the work of WFWP and UPF.
Dr. John Stewart, author of the book entitled, From Genocide to Generosity, spoke about the importance of having the right mind-set for peace building. His book documents the lives of people who were deeply affected by the genocide in Rwanda. He has monitored changes in Rwanda from 1977 to the present day with respect to the healing and personal recovery efforts of amazing individuals affected by the genocide. He said, “The practice of healing and forgiveness is more likely to make human development a success.”
Anne Bellavance, president of WFWP Australia and IVP for the Oceania Region, urged leaders to go the path of living for the sake of others. A life of living for the sake of others opens the gates of peace. She noted the importance of learning from historical successes, when loving the enemy brought reconciliation and peace.
John Bellavance, vice president of UPF Australia and director of UPF Victoria, spoke about peacebuilding as the battle between selfish love and unselfish love. Selfish love is the source of the misuse of people, the misuse of love and the misuse of material wealth to the detriment of others. Peacebuilders must master self-centered love, pride, jealousy and anger in themselves.