Dear SIETARians,
Yesterday's election was truly
an historic moment in our lives. It was a testimony not only to
democracy but also to the endless opportunities that lie ahead for
those of us currently working in the intercultural field or on the path
to entering it. In many ways, Obama is a symbol of the work that many
of us dedicate our energy and passions to doing. He is an agent for
change, a powerful voice that seeks to unify people from differing
races, ethnicities, cultures and values by creating dialogue to explore
our similarities and address our disparities, and a leader to restore
friendships around the world that have been severed. He represents hope
for so many disenfranchised people who now believe, in the words of
Margaret Mead, "…that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can
change the world."
For us as interculturalists,
Obama's victory is even more of an incentive for us to pursue our
professional goals of bridging cultural barriers and fostering
intercultural understanding. We too are agents of change
in our vocations—be it organizing educational and cultural exchanges,
providing diversity or cross-cultural training, or engaging groups in
conflict to have dialogues to find peace. I hope that in welcoming our
new president and this era that promises change, each of us will find a
renewed determination to continue our work in developing the
intercultural field.
Warm regards,
Julia Gaspar-Bates
Executive Coordinator
