Reflections on My Time at Hebrew University
By Jothi Shan, Toronto
What a privilege it was to be part of an organization founded by Dr. Albert Einstein!
I had returned home to Toronto after spending five months in a remote town in northern Kenya while studying International Relations at Trinity College, University of Toronto, specializing in conflict resolution. I took every opportunity to bridge my mostly academic theoretical learning with the “real world.” A fellow traveler and friend (pictured) from my Kenya trip introduced me to Hebrew University and three years later, I found myself in the heart of Jerusalem among a vibrant and ancient city and surrounded by beautiful olive groves, in a region to which I had no personal or professional ties. I was committed to pursue a career in humanitarian work and looking for knowledge to build my tool box.
I quickly learned that working for peace requires an unwavering commitment to optimism and one needn’t dig deep to feel despair in any given day. My time at Hebrew University, the site visits across the country, the exposure to the rich cultures, history and the day-to-day realities faced by all communities, brought me closer to the people and issues I had only previously confronted in newspaper headlines in Toronto.
These interactions and the many hours of learning from some of the most leading thinkers and PR actioners of peace at Hebrew U challenged my many assumptions about peacebuilding. Unlike conflict, peace requires real courage, meaningful dialogue paired with careful action and an infinite amount of resources. Empathetic diplomacy, self-reflection and strong will to adapt and change are necessary ingredients.
Easier said than done and yet so many people believed in our collective capacity to strive to build more peaceful societies. In small and big ways, I witnessed through my research and interactions, the courage and conviction of the many organizations and people working for a better future for all. Their resilience and passion were contagious. I’m forever grateful for the friendships. I learned from them about the pinnacle of optimism and in every job I’ve had since, it’s one of the most valuable lessons I draw on.
- Jothi is a Development Manager at UNICEF Canada in Toronto