I haven't blogged in so long...
Today, I remembered that the Nobel committee is based in Oslo when I found myself suddenly upon the Nobel Peace Center and the Nobel Prize Hall in downtown Oslo. I didn't have to go inside, but simply stood in front of the building absorbing the awe of peace. They had an interesting caricature portrait of Abiy Ahmed Ali out front. He won the peace prize only last week for his bold overtures of peace towards Eritrea. This was a good decision by the committee.
I'm in Oslo for the GEF meeting. This is my meeting. I organize every inch of it - every talking point, every speaker, every guest, the agenda, etc. The Norwegians hosted it for me, but with the promise that I would do the heavy lifting. So, I'm too tired to type, because the meeting ended a short while ago.
It was a rousing success if I do say so myself. One of the things I worked very hard on was fundraising among the partners. Without naming names, there was an incredible outpouring of increased support. It was so cool to watch as partners tried to grab the spotlight from each other to announce their commitments.
I'd like to take full credit, because I am shameless in my quest for support. However, what drives me are the activists who need it. My credit evaporates quite quickly, because it is the voices of these activists that swayed the crowd. Their incredible stories of defending human rights in some of the toughest places in the world got peoples' attention and lit up their compassion. They risk their lives for rights. It is inspiring and amazing. Many guests in the room had never heard these stories before, and I could see that they were stunned by these brave people.
The weather is cold and rainy, and nothing like my last trip to Cyprus where it was hot and dusty, and certainly nothing like my ridiculous (but still important) trip to Barbados before that.
I am lucky, not because I travel to these places, but because my work supports people doing the absolute best and most important work there is: defending the rights of all people.
Thank you, Oslo, for being a hallowed city in your own right, and, thus, a natural location to welcome bravery and brilliance from around the world.
