Changing the narrative: Chris Hunter on why war in Ukraine is not the end of the story

‘These stories from Ukraine will offer encouragement to many facing similar conditions.’

Finding words for the situation in Ukraine today is challenging; words simply seem inadequate. And yet those words, with our prayers and our actions, are important to our friends and colleagues in Ukraine. These are the peaceful citizens of a young, democratic nation subjected to the terrifying military might of a superpower.

Over the last few days I have been in contact, mostly through social media, with a number of friends and partners in Ukraine. Since 2014, together with colleagues from Chechnya and Friends Peace Teams (Asia West Pacific), I have been working with Ukrainian peacebuilders, teachers, psychologists and volunteers to explore ways to transform conflict through the Power of Goodness story collection. We have also engaged, together with AVP trainers from Ukraine and Georgia, in peace training through an Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshop series called Creating Cultures of Peace and Justice.

These friends, like everyone in Ukraine today striving to live in peace, have in the last few days had their lives turned upside down by senseless, unjustifiable military aggression by foreign forces. So many people around the world have been stunned that such barbaric, illegal measures can be employed in the twenty-first century. The conflict transformation and peacebuilding tools that we have learned and practiced together are needed now more than ever, so much more than the all-too-often polarising chatter and sabre-rattling of politicians east and west.

The Power of Goodness stories are based on the lives of real people from around the world. They depict instructional moments in how to rely on the power of goodness in difficult situations, and the amazing results of doing so. When war broke out in Ukraine in 2014, Peacebuilding UK and our colleagues in Chechnya felt strongly that the Power of Goodness stories – and the peacebuilding and therapeutic activities that we had developed alongside them – could be useful for people dealing with the consequences of war there, just as it has been in the North Caucasus for nearly two decades.

Over the last few years, new Ukrainian stories have been a valued addition to the collection of tales we have from Chechnya, Russia and around the world. They give us a glimpse into how to heal and rely on life’s transforming power, even after losing everything and being displaced by violence. Our Ukrainian friends have a wide range of views on the situation in their country, with some present at our gatherings being more pro-western and others more pro-Russian. The stories have provided valuable tools to help deal with, and learn to respect, these differences, while finding new ways to live together in peace.

With the growing numbers of people in the world displaced by violence, these stories from Ukraine will offer encouragement to many facing similar conditions. They will be a source of inspiration as our hearts go out to them. The stories can be found at https://friendspeaceteams.org/english-story-collection, with the most recently-added ones at the bottom of the page being from Ukraine.

Western media has covered several examples of civilian resistance to the Russian invasion over the last few days. Ukrainian civilians, young and old, have been seen stopping military vehicles by standing in front of them, or forcing them to veer off roads. Traffic signs all over Ukraine have been changed from directions to short, direct messages telling the Russian invaders to go home. The US Quaker activist George Lakey reminds us that civilian total non-cooperation with an invading force has been used effectively in history in other places too, such as Czechoslovakia in 1968, where people also renamed signs.

The shock of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has also reverberated throughout Russia. I hear the deep dismay of friends and colleagues there who wish for peace in Ukraine and peace for all. Peaceful anti-war protests in dozens of Russian cities are important, and offer hope. Nearly two thousand arrests were made during the first few days of protest following the invasion of Ukraine. If Russians around the country are prepared to go out to protest, knowing the risks of being beaten, arrested or worse, they must then be the tip of the iceberg of protest, conscience and disgust in Russia at this war.

I am glad to have the opportunity to hear from friends in Ukraine and to let them know that we stand united with them through these turbulent times. We support them in holding the vision of a peaceful Ukraine. This week I also had the powerful experience of joining an online Quaker Meeting with 170 Friends from Ukraine, Russia and around the world to together hold the situation in the Light.
For now our urgent common task, whether we’re in Ukraine, Russia or elsewhere, is to work to stop this war and support those affected by it. This may be through our thoughts and prayers, supporting peace activists in Ukraine, donating to relief efforts, writing to our elected representatives, attending or initiating protests, or informing our friends and communities of what is truly going on in Ukraine and the work being done for peace.

Sooner or later the bombs and artillery will cease and the peaceful vision of our friends in Ukraine will prevail. Lives and relationships will be healed and reconciled. Until then, friends in Ukraine, know that your friends around the world are praying that this day will come soon. We are holding you in the Light, ready to do our part and reach out in any way we can.

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Comments

Many thanks, Chris, for this engaging and inspiring article.  I agree with you and George Lakey that non-violent resistance would save more Ukrainians and protect their means of well-being than violence to the invaders.  The means of survival - homes, utilities, hospitals and so on would be preserved.  Peter

By jarmans@phonecoop.coop on 10th March 2022 - 18:12

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