Thoughts and Thanks from the Skoll World Forum 2008
Heidi Kuhn, CEO & Founder, Roots of Peace

Generational wisdom derived from stone statues suddenly became alive as former President Jimmy Carter emerged onto the stage surrounded by over 1000 guests in a “circle of modern elders” focused on impacting change.   The eloquent words of a remarkable Southern gentleman with a vision for peace deeply touched the souls of all who were in attendance, as he called forth a world full of empathy, love, peace, truth and understanding—qualities of the most powerful people in a democracy who uphold these virtues.  President Carter proudly spoke of what “is” possible within our world rather than “impossible” as he shared global victories established by The Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity.   His dream for America is that he hopes we will again become the champion of peace, and restore our image as a nation of pre-emptive wars.  Such words deeply resonated in my heart, as we strive to turn MINES TO VINES in Afghanistan and Iraq—giving farmers alternative agricultural alternatives to poppies—and bringing forth a new generation where “peace grows” from the bottom up, not the top down.

 The finale of the Skoll World Forum Closing Ceremony were the inspirational remarks by former Vice President Al Gore, who served as a personal reference for Roots of Peace in the final selection process of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 1995.  During the UN World Environment Day 2005, he served as the keynote speaker for an event co-produced by Roots of Peace and the World Resources Institute at The Carnelian Room in June 2005.  These were the days prior to “The Inconvenient Truth” and the impact upon his global call to action for climate change has grown even more passionate over the years.  The brilliance of Jeff Skoll and Participant Films catapulted this issue to the consciousness of seeking a sustainable planet.  Now, he has a “new” passion—The Alliance for Climate Change—which will be launched in two weeks. 

 In closing, Al Gore reminded the audience that “There are often moments in history where great trauma has unleashed great opportunity.”

 A sincere “thank you” to Jeff Skoll, Sally Osberg, and the entire Skoll Foundation staff for reminding us of our moral responsibility to walk through the fire holding hands, as we seek to create a world of “change makers” reinvigorating empathy and understanding for all.  May we take the words etched into our hearts through these inspirational scenes of Oxford and apply them to a modern world.  Inshallah!