Caitlin and The Arch

As some of you know, I just got back from South Africa, where I attended Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday party in Cape Town. The festivities included a glorious service at St. George’s Cathedral (the center of Archbishop Tutu’s struggle against apartheid), a beautiful party at a winery in Stellenbosch, and a discussion between Archbishop Tutu and the Dalai Lama called “Peace and Compassion As Catalysts For Change”.

Their words echo in my mind: Archbishop Tutu reminded us over and over of the value of “compassion” while the Dalai Lama spoke of “warmheartedness” and “concern for others.” It filled me with joy and determination to be with men who are leaders not because of money or political power, but because of compassion and concern for their fellow human beings. The discussion brought into sharp focus the profound, world-changing power of “warmheartedness” and of helping others to lead peaceful and dignified lives. I felt the fire in my belly and the warmth in my own heart thinking about the fact that AVC seeks to unlock leaders based on the same principle: harnessing compassion and a warm heart.

When asked what message he had for young people, Archbishop Tutu was very clear: Dream. Do not allow yourselves to be infected by the cynicism of older people. The world of tomorrow exists currently in the hearts and minds of young people. If we allow young people to dream, if we help foster warmheartedness, and if we place young people who have compassion and concern for others into leadership positions, the world of tomorrow will be one characterized by that light. Dreams are where social movements are born. As we here at AVC decide on our first group of 10 volunteers, I can’t wait to see what dreams we harness and to be a part of the world that they create.