Christmas 2005
by
Peter Noteboom
Executive
Director
Global Learning Partners
No matter
how long the night, the day is sure to come.
Today is Winter Solstice, December 21,
the day when we get the least sunlight and the most moonlight.
I'm reminded of a favorite African proverb: "No matter
how long the night, the day is sure to come."
I have to admit that 2005 has been a rough
and tumble year. Close by my family has seen big changes, with
the peaceful and dignified death of my father last month. Global
Learning Partners has weathered a major change in staff with
the departure of Connie Kuipers earlier this year. Further away
the daily news brings with it steady news of violence and conflict
in the Middle East. The Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the
Pakistan earthquake devastated very large communities. This
seemed like a long year, I can barely remember events that took
place in December of last year.
One early cold morning in Northern Niger
in the African Sahara, I had the privilege of waiting for the
sun to burst over the horizon. It looked like the diamond of
light appearing after an eclipse. From one second to another,
the whole landscape was bathed in glorious dawn light. It warmed
me up from the inside.
I feel now like I did that morning, impatiently
waiting for the sun to burst over the horizon: hoping that conflict,
violence and the accompanying despair may come to an end, that
all people might be able to return to their homes, that civil
rights and liberties be respected, protected and fulfilled,
that freedom and human well being might return, and that all
people might live without fear or malice.
In the coming year, I know that GLP graduates,
teachers and staff will be working with people in rebuilding
communities devastated by natural disasters; we will be working
in California with nutritionists struggling against childhood
obesity; we will be working in South Asia with mothers and village
health workers who are building healthier communities together;
we will be working in Nigeria with community development workers
who are accompanying their fellow citizens in building a more
just, fair and prosperous society; we will be working with peacebuilders
whose focus is to mediate conflict and work for the conditions
that create and sustain peace, global peace. We will continue
to share what we know about how adults learn so that all people
might become Subjects of their own learning, decision-makers
and doers, taking charge of their own destinies.
I'm not sure we can make the sun shine,
or turn the Earth. But I know we are all impatiently awaiting
the light. I wish you a bright holiday season, one where both
sunlight and moonlight illumine what you value, display your
accomplishments, and light the way ahead in 2006.
- Peter
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