Day 27 - Lorena Julio

Dear Friends,

It is a joy to share with you this letter of hope in the context of a new Season of Nonviolence. I greet you from Argentina, from the South, with much love and gratitude. Even if you may not know it, you have accompanied me over these past two years as I joined the Season of Nonviolence, where I not only experienced and was nourished by each of the learnings offered during these 64 days of reflection, but also made important decisions in my life. For this, I feel deep gratitude—for having met you through the global peace movement Jai Jagat, and for continuing to build together with you a world with more peace and equity.

Here comes the second pillar from which I wish to greet you today: commitment. You are a lighthouse for me. The time we shared in Alberta was an embrace and, above all, an eye-opener. You showed me that even if the platform changes, the goal remains the same: to contribute our grain of mustard seed so that each day we may all live with dignity. When we first met, I was working to promote the rights of persons with disabilities; today, I am focusing my efforts on climate action, but always with the human being at the center. That was and continues to be my commitment, and I thank you for giving me light when I felt lost.

Finally, I want to share that I have great faith in what we can do as a community. If we begin to see one another again as brothers and sisters, if we move away from the terrible individualistic model imposed on us by capitalism and consumer society, and if we dare to look into each other’s eyes, we will be able to face today’s challenges. The irreversible climate crisis, human displacement, wars—these can be overcome if we once again place the human being at the center, and I hold hope that this will happen. I am certain that those reading these lines today share this same hope. I embrace you!

From the bottom of my heart, I wish that gratitude, commitment, and hope accompany you during these six days and in every day of your lives.

With affection and respect,

Your friend,

Lorena Julio
Hilario Ascasubi, Buenos Aires, Argentina