Cup Half Full

Dr. Popa, our fearless leader, asked if we would be willing to commit to a 36-hour fast. People fast for many reasons; spiritual, health, challenge, or cleansing just to name a few. Our group thought it would be an appropriate opportunity to become more introspective, and focus our minds on the work we will be setting out to do tomorrow. I have been known to fast and detox from time to time, so I readily agreed. I suggested a more meaningful goal of giving up something that would truly be a challenge. Our group decided technology and food woul be enough of a challenge. I personally  felt this would be a little challenging but nothing to drastic. I kept my mind open to finding something else more challenging to give up.

I thought about it. Nothing really perked my interest until the first full morning of the full day without food. I woke up and went to make coffee and realized in order to be transparent in my commitment, coffee would have to go. If you don't know me personally you should know, I love coffee. As in lurve it. So, with my bean grinder in one hand and fresh Thomas Hammer La Revolution beans in the other I sighed and put them away and reached for yet another glass of distilled water.
I drank it.
Nowhere even close to the satisfaction I get from a cup of coffee.
As the day progressed, I was hungry, but didn't find it to distracting. What was distracting, however was how incomplete I felt without my joe.
I decided to start packing. When I took a step back to take in my suitcase and all I had put in, I realized there are many things in my life I feel complete me almost to the point where they have their own person just like my darling Joe; Chuck Taylor, Oliver Peoples, my books, etc. I am not by any stretch a walking bill board. However, I can't think of anything off the top of my head that I need. Want yes, but even that list is not long.
Today was the end of our 36-hours. When I woke up this morning I drank yet another big glass of distilled water ate a piece of fruit and went to yoga. After my yoga class, I didn't have my coffee. I am waiting one more day, because I know I will appreciate it that much more. Going without, gives us time to appreciate what we take for granted. But, it is clear to me that regardless of whether I have a cup or three cups of coffee or none at all, my cup is half full. 

What is a Refugee?

Not to long ago, I thought I had a handle on what it means to be a refugee. However, since joining in this journey the form of my understanding has been carved into a clearer definition.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) defines refugee as: People who have fled their countries due to fear of persecution, having crossed an international boarder. At present there are at least 42 million people uprooted by conflict. 

Another group that should be introduced are the Internally Displaced People (IDPs). That is to say they are uprooted but in their own country. While they are often called refugees, they don’t fit the original definition of what it means to be a refugee.

The UNHCR defines IDPs as someone who is forced to leave their home but remains within their borders. This group makes up nearly two-thirds of the entire  population of displaced people seeking asylum. IDPs populations could be found in countries such as Sudan, Columbia, Iraq etc.

As we move forward, we hope to give you a clearer picture of who these people are on a micro level. All of these people have names and their own story. The sea of 42 million+ might cause the eyes to gloss over and our goal in this accompaniment is to bridge the gap between definitions and statistics.

History Repeating: Current Parallels

       In December of 2010, the world watched Tunisia bravely united, lighting the spark of revolution. By January 2011, Tunisia's longtime President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, had been ousted. The flame of revolution spread to Egypt, swiftly igniting a fire so hot and strong in the hearts of of the Egyptian people protesters camped for 18 days in Cairo's Tahir Square as President Hosni Mubarak played an emotional game of chess with his country, ending with Mubarak in checkmate and a jubilant and free Egypt. One by one, like dominoes, countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East joined together in protests and acts of civil disobedience to try their luck in the game of democracy.
       What is amazing is that on December 16th 1989, the same hunger for freedom, the same passion, and yearning for basic human rights being witnessed in the current uprisings, took place almost exactly 12 years ago in Timisoara, Romania.  The Romanian Revolution violently claimed over 1,000 lives. It will be very interesting to be in Romania, while events that shaped the country are unfolding in the Middle East.
      Of particular note, we are in a similar situation play out in Libya. As history is being written and the quest for democracy continues, it is paramount, we as humans learn from our mistakes and take the time to remember the darker tones of the human story.

Come along and take that Ride

The voice of David Byrne from the talking heads has been bouncing between my ears. "We're on a road to nowhere, come on inside" except that we are going somewhere. In 23 days we will leave for leave for Timisoara, Romania. I am honored, excited, nervous, inspired, humbled and (insert adjective here) to be part of the pilot graduate course from Gonzaga's Leadership Accompaniment course in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Timisoara, Romania.

We will spend four weeks accompanying refugees at the UN Emergency Transit Center (ETC). In as much as we will accompany the refugees in their transition into a new culture, they will accompany us in our journey towards understanding and empathy. Katherine Miller says there are times when worlds connect or collide and we are given the opportunity to understand another's construction or perhaps to change our own (as cited in Shepherd, St. John & Striphas 2006:36), and this is one of those times.

The Objectives for the course are

• Develop knowledge of and strategies for learning about the current refugee population in our own community

•  Develop knowledge of and strategies for learning through ethnographic accompaniment and dialogue

•   Develop knowledge of strategies for rapid needs assessment as a methodical process for field study and investigation

• Develop knowledge of and strategies for applying ethnographic principles of observation, interviews, and accompaniment with UN staff and refugees to learn about refugee hardiness and resiliency

• Develop understanding and appreciation of host country from local civic leaders, students, and university faculty

• Develop knowledge and strategies for thinking creatively about the role of leadership and communication practices with humanitarian organizations and local refugee organizations

"There's a city in my mind, come along and take that ride." I invite you to jump beyond your everyday routine and dig the world. This is your formal invitation to join in our quest for accompaniment so that in some way we may share in your journey because, "it's alright, baby it's alright." 

References:

Shepherd G. J., St. John, J., Striphas, T. (2006). Communication as . . . Perspectives on theory.        

        Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 

Talking Heads (1985). Road to nowhere on Little Creatures [CD] New York: Sire Sound (1985).