Posted on May 2: Student groups create circle of compassion

During politically unstable times, differences in faith can create diverse opinions. But at McMaster, these differences brought McMaster Students Against the Occupation, the Jewish Student Association and the Peace Village closer together.

These groups met recently to exchange dialogue on how to create an inviting climate and a structure where differences of opinion can be shared. Ecumenical chaplain Carol Wood and Hamilton psychiatrist Joanna Santa Barbara, who teaches in McMaster's peace studies program, facilitated the meeting.

“Each one of the students involved in this problem has a compassionate heart,” says Santa Barbara. “In a dialogue, there is the possibility that each person's “circle of compassion” can grow a little to include those from the other identity group.”

Initially, she hopes guidelines will be established so that identity-based groups on campus can act with consideration for the feelings of other groups. “We want a campus where everyone feels respected, included and safe.”

Creating guidelines for respectful interaction between groups, seeking discussion without tension, creating a new group that could serve as an intermediary, inviting others to the table, seeking historical experts, establishing a joint group that can help groups deal with differences and establishing a student led group to resolve issues were some of the goals established.

“The most important idea put forward at the meeting was that despite our political differences, the campus can still be a place of both co-existence and dialogue,” says Sina Rahmani, president of the McMaster Students Against the Occupation. “Only through dialogue — effective dialogue — can we avoid the creation of an ethnic rift.”

Leanne Campbell, chair of the Jewish Students Association, agrees. “Dialogue encourages mutual understanding which can then lead to peaceful co-existence between campus groups,” she says. “It is for this reason that we must keep the lines of communication open.”

Campbell hopes the dialogue will continue, but also feels other groups on campus should get involved. “Hopefully, this dialogue is a good stepping stone which will help promote peace on campus.”

Bilal Sabra, president of Interfaith Unity and a member of the Peace Village, thinks dialogue will help reduce tension sometimes experienced between groups. “My hope is that in this dialogue, people will listen to each other and gain an understanding of other view points . . . I think that we have an opportunity, and perhaps even a duty, to reduce the tension and keep the peace, even if it is only on our campus initially.”

McMaster is raising consciousness about the importance of these issues, through the student dialogue meeting and the formation of the President's Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community, says President Peter George in a recent editorial in The Hamilton Spectator. “The University's role is to provide a forum for informed discussion, one in which dissenting opinions can be exchanged without fear of intimidation or violence, because it is only through the free exchange of ideas and opinions that we will arrive at a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding us.”