Message from the President
Welcome!
José Zaglul
President
EARTH University
As we approach the twentieth anniversary of the
creation of EARTH, we recall that during its establishment, we were
in the midst of the Cold War. The world was divided for more than
40 years and plagued by wars and armed conflict resulting from ideological
and political differences.
The division not only brought war and death worldwide,
including in Central America, but it also made us forget that dialog
is a tool of peace and respect. Simply put, we forgot how to be
human.
Nearly two decades after the end of the Cold War,
many nations continue facing wars that, in some cases, have provoked
humanitarian crises without precedent.
How bad do things need to get before we change?
Are we so blind as not to see that we can end this all if we act
with solidarity, tolerance and respect?
I am a firm believer in the power of dialog. When
this happens in a harmonious and peaceful environment, it leads
to positive results and solutions arise.
As President of EARTH University, I have had the
opportunity to participate in global seminars on the eradication
of hunger, the protection of the environment and sustainability.
In these activities, citizens from all over the world, including
Arabs and Israelis, dialog and interact peacefully.
A little more than five years ago, I participated
in a course on Conflict Resolution at the University of Georgetown.
The seminar gathered 60 students from Europe, the United States
and other countries in conflict in the Middle East. To my surprise,
Jews and Palestinians, together with young people from other nations,
showed a great level of commitment to the search for peaceful solutions
to the problems in their countries and abandoned the tension and
friction between them.
These young men and women showed the potential
of a generation that believes in dialog, listening and tolerating
the cultural differences of its neighbors.
With them, I learned the importance of strengthening
future generations, imparting to them values and enabling them to
foster peace, with an open mind and a positive attitude.
In addition, I have reflected on how the EARTH
University campus is a living example of how the equilibrium of
opinions, cultures, customs and religion is possible.
Students from 25 countries and four continents,
live under the principle of freedom with responsibility and each
of them, regardless of their origin or socioeconomic background,
develop an academic life based on equality and respect values that
they later replicate in their communities upon graduation.
This reflection takes on a new relevance during
this time of great uncertainty, when we don’t need more violence
or suffering, but rather, we cry out for unity, solidarity and love.
Let us unite with the objective of maintaining
peace and harmony and act now to guarantee a prosperous and just
society for our children around the world. I am hopeful that by
doing so, we will bring about the solutions the world needs.
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