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What is Reconciliation?
The concept of reconciliation has a long history and many interpretations, and remains controversial today. It is applied in different ways in different cultural settings. However, there is a common theme: the stimulation of communication and dialogue across the great divides of nationality, culture, philosophy, race, and religion.
Such dialogues ultimately arise from local, face to face interactions between individuals. However, they depend also on the broader, cultural contexts within which communities are constituted. Today, the communication occurs on a global scale, instantly across national and international boundaries. The possibilities for community building and sharing of experiences and knowledge are greatly expanded.
Reconciliation is therefore a process, not an end in itself. It can accommodate the great diversity of viewpoints and perspectives and embrace a large variety of endpoints and moral goals. This does not imply passivity in the face of human rights abuses or a neutral stance on matters of social or ethical principle. Rather, it leaves open the specificity of the responses to such problems, which need to be decided in relation to the particular details of individual contexts.
Vision and broad aim
The global reconciliation network seeks to facilitate the process of reconciliation at both local and global levels by providing a framework within which people can explore ways of developing and extending exchanges of a cultural, educational and intellectual nature. In accordance with its underlying objectives, it will operate within a decentred, democratic framework that permits the development of autonomous cells or interest groups. Utilising direct, face to face contact and contemporary means for communication across geographical boundaries it seeks to recreate globalisation's 'human face' and formulate strategies, processes and proposals which bring the peoples of the world closer together.
Objectives
Specifically, it is proposed to engage individuals from different cultural, national, philosophical and religious traditions on issues, topics and projects of common interest and concern around the theme of reconciliation to work together:
- to share knowledge and experiences
- to extend relationships, contacts and practical skills
- to deepen ethical reflection about social and cultural issues on a local and global scale
- to provide support for existing projects
- to develop joint initiatives
The network aims to work with other groups, consortia and networks towards common goals and wherever possible to avoid duplication of effort and resources. Many individual groups are well resourced and operate with a high degree of effectiveness; these can provide valuable advice to others working in related areas which would benefit from access to their experience. Thus the network would provide a resource which groups can utilise if they wish.
The network can also assist the development of specific projects by facilitating access to appropriate knowledge and experience, developing resources and assisting with contact between individuals and local communities on the one hand and national and international bodies on the other. It is intended that it will generate a variety of events, including alliances, cooperative projects and other kinds of engagement.
What the network is not
The network itself does not embrace or presuppose a particular political agenda. Expression of, and free discussion about, a range of perspectives is actively encouraged. A particular interest in ethical issues, conceived in a broad sense, will be maintained, and reflection on the nature and role of ethics in both personal relationships and international affairs today will be promoted. It is not claimed, however, that dialogues can by themselves overcome injustices and inequalities systematically entrenched at the level of social structures. Rather, they are supportive of, and supplementary to, a multiplicity of processes and practices at the level of social and cultural action.
Reconciliation is not a program. It is not limited to or directed towards a single endpoint, or set of endpoints. It aims at a diverse, cosmopolitan communication, a proliferation of social and cultural discourses. It refers to a process, of engagement, of disputation, of social practice, that is consistent with many coexisting endpoints. The global reconciliation network does not intend to supplant any of the groups or their struggles: it aims to assist them in their individual quests, to help them coordinate their activities, to broaden their scope.
This process does not aim to be a conflict resolution body. It does not negotiate with governments. It does not seek to intervene in national or international crises. It is a cultural process to promote direct contact between groups and individuals within civil society.
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