Mohonk Consultations had the good fortune to participate in a unique 3-day brainstorming session of global and local leaders working with The Normandy Chair for Peace (NCP) to create new curriculum and philosophical direction for environmental law and peace initiatives around the world. The NCP was formed 5 years ago to “tell a different story” about Normandy, France as an alternative to its renown as the location of D-Day during WWII. The conference took place from April 18th – 20th, 2022 at Mohonk Mountain House.
With the phrase “We will have Peace on Earth when we have Peace with Earth”, the group was skillfully led by Nicholas Robinson, professor emeritus from Global Center for Environmental Law at Pace University. Robinson chose Mohonk for the event because of its history of peace conferences, continued today by Mohonk Consultations.
Spirited dialogue ensued with representation from three generations of environmental lawyers (many trained at Pace University), university instructors in peace-making, indigenous leaders from the Lenape tribe (the first people of the Hudson Valley region), environmental/religious scholars, and representatives of the U.N.
Mohonk Consultations and Smiley family member Louisa Finn welcomed the group with a presentation on the history of Peace Conferences at Mohonk. Mohonk and the Smiley family were lauded by the group for their commitment to “intergenerational values”, a theme of the conference proceedings along with “the rights of future generations”, a body of legal research conducted by Émilie Gaillard, Coordinator of the NCP.
Current Normandy Chair for Peace and environmental lawyer Tony Oposa of the Philipines brought his passionate message of H.O.P.E. (Help Our Planet Earth) to the conference, communicating that without “the language of the heart” we will not inspire real change on Earth. Oposa is notorious for being the first to win a case by naming his descendants as plaintiffs, which set a precedent for recognizing the rights of future generations to a healthy environment. Oposa is leading a “Good Stories” movement which seeks to amplify inspiring initiatives around good practices with the Earth.
With the recognition that Indigenous people still care for the most important biodiverse places on earth, representatives of the Lenape Center in NYC contributed essential insights, as well as ceremonial songs and drumming to set the stage for a “meeting of the minds”.
The conference not only uplifted all its participants with stimulating discussion, thought, singing, and shared food, but renewed Mohonk Consultation’s relationship with the UN; one started by our founder Keith Smiley in the 1970s. After three days of seeking transformative action toward human harmony with nature”, the group left Mohonk and proceeded to celebrate Earth Day in NYC near the UN, by reporting on its research and findings to UN affiliated officials.
Click here for the event program and a full list of speakers!
“There is no better place than Mohonk Mt. House to pose these questions and have these discussions. The great idea of hosting this time of reflection at Mohonk is already fulfilled – I feel it.” — Pascal Buléon, Head of the MRSH (Research in Scientific Humanism), University of Caen, Normandy