Education is for Creating Peacemakers

On November 22, 2019, the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) Bay Area chapter hosted their second Peace Starts With Me Campus Event at Chabot College, centered around the theme “Education Empowering Peacemakers.” The event, a part of CARP’s mission to promote education of heart and character at the campus level, aimed to inspire faculty, students, and community leaders to uphold and advocate for these values.

Preparations for the event had been underway since the beginning of the semester, with CARP members eagerly anticipating the gathering. Mikuni Tamura, a CARP student at Chabot College, highlighted the relevance of the topic for college students, remarking, “We always ask, ‘What do we want to become?’ but not ‘Who do we want to become?’ I think that’s important to discuss.”

Seventy-five people, including students, community members, and faculty, attended the three-hour evening program. The event began with a warm welcome from CARP Chabot President Monica Schlaepfer and Vice President Junta Naito, who also introduced various student club performances, including a lively dance to “Give Love” by Andy Grammer.

A short presentation by Erika Gordon, a CARP student leader from Cal State East Bay, focused on the CARP curriculum’s perspective on the purpose of education, emphasizing the importance of heart and character development as a foundation for career success. Erika also introduced Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founder of CARP and initiator of the Peace Starts With Me movement, who inspired the message being spread across college campuses.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Mose Durst, author and educator, delivered a powerful address titled “Education Empowering Peacemakers.” Drawing on studies in Positive Psychology and his own experiences, Dr. Durst discussed how education can help develop and liberate the inner values of each person. He encouraged the audience to adopt a long-term vision similar to the Native American Iroquois tribe’s philosophy of considering the impact of their actions on the next seven generations. Dr. Durst left the attendees with a thought-provoking quote from Confucius: “If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.”

Participants then engaged in table discussions to reflect on the keynote address and its message of education as a tool for peacebuilding. Many shared insights from the talk, with Debra Collins from KCRH 89.9 FM remarking on the strength of unity and education in forming coalitions for peace.

The evening concluded with student and faculty representatives expressing their gratitude for CARP’s role in fostering spiritual growth and meaningful conversations. Raffle prizes were distributed, and CARP members ended the event with a moving rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” leaving the audience inspired and hopeful about the role of education in shaping future leaders who will contribute to a peaceful world.

This event highlighted the importance of reflecting on the purpose of education and its role in raising leaders capable of making a positive impact on society.

For more information, visit https://www.carplife.org