THE EDITOR, SIR:
At the invitation of the Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, a significant group of Jamaicans attended conferences of Initiatives of Change (formally known as Moral Rearmament), from August 11-18 in Caux, Switzerland. Jamaica had the largest and most impressive contingent out of the many different cultures and nations. There were 300-400 people from all over the world meeting each other and discussing different concerns.
The first conference was focused on the spirituality factor in secular society. It was realised that the concept of secularism needs rethinking. The religious and the spiritual are not marginal phenomena, relics of the past. They are an integral part of every civilisation. It is clear that our world urgently needs a radical reorientation towards humanity, and a change in attitudes towards the material world and towards nature. This change can draw on the riches of the great faiths, for we know that there is "One God, creator of all."
The second conference was equally challenging and focused on human security in a changing world. Problems are not only in Jamaica, for at a global level, inequalities, corruption, environmental degradation and conflict have been allowed to grow to the point of crisis. Human security can only be restored by good governance, which depends on accountability, transparency and participation at all levels of society.
Jamaica gave a panel discussion on Human Security at Work, presented by Walkers-wood Caribbean Foods. I also shared Riddim of Creation, my CD celebration of song and dance, calling on the world to start a new riddim of peace and love.
At the end of the conference Jamaica organised the "cultural night," with various songs and dance. The world knows again of the creative talent of Jamaican people. At the end of the evening everyone of different languages "spoke" the one language of "singing" joined in by expressing: "Walk in peace and love! Go in peace and love!"
I am, etc.,
MARTIN J. SCHADE
