Nov. 7 2009
The ARMS DOWN Conference opened with an address from the President of Costa Rica, Mr. Arias. A former Nobel Peace Laureate, and one of the creators of Disarmament for Development, President Arias’ words were touching as he told a story of Buddha and his experience of a world of suffering and poverty outside of his palace. President Arias related Buddha’s experience to our responsibility to take action to improve our world. Later we spoke with his secretary, and arranged a short meeting with President Arias before his motorcade’s departure. During our meeting, President Arias was encouraging and interested in what we shared with him regarding The Art of Living and the opportunities for a partnership in his country to work on social projects. He advised us to set up a meeting with the Director of his Foundation to discuss the details. The president complimented us many times on how much he loved Montreal, in particular its cuisine. We are definitely men cut from the same cloth! After a quick presidential photo op we were back in the conference, focusing on the topic of the day, Nuclear weapons. What is their status in the world? What are the repercussions of their use? Most importantly, what can we do? As we broke into our afternoon sessions, ready to learn more, my body let me know that there was a less important but much more urgent priority. The water in Costa Rica was not as friendly as I had hoped.
The ARMS DOWN Conference opened with an address from the President of Costa Rica, Mr. Arias. A former Nobel Peace Laureate, and one of the creators of Disarmament for Development, President Arias’ words were touching as he told a story of Buddha and his experience of a world of suffering and poverty outside of his palace. President Arias related Buddha’s experience to our responsibility to take action to improve our world. Later we spoke with his secretary, and arranged a short meeting with President Arias before his motorcade’s departure. During our meeting, President Arias was encouraging and interested in what we shared with him regarding The Art of Living and the opportunities for a partnership in his country to work on social projects. He advised us to set up a meeting with the Director of his Foundation to discuss the details. The president complimented us many times on how much he loved Montreal, in particular its cuisine. We are definitely men cut from the same cloth! After a quick presidential photo op we were back in the conference, focusing on the topic of the day, Nuclear weapons. What is their status in the world? What are the repercussions of their use? Most importantly, what can we do? As we broke into our afternoon sessions, ready to learn more, my body let me know that there was a less important but much more urgent priority. The water in Costa Rica was not as friendly as I had hoped.
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