About Le Anne Clausen Expertise I can answer questions about human rights work as a vocation, human rights as they pertain to the Middle East and/or Muslim world, particularly Palestine/Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan. While in Iraq, I helped to investigate prisoner abuses, including those at Abu Ghraib. I can also answer questions on women's rights in the Middle East. I cannot give you legal advice.
Experience I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, including Palestine, Israel, and Iraq. I also participated in a human rights delegation to Afghanistan in summer 2005. I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations, with special study on women's issues; I also worked one year for an Arab women's grassroots human rights organization. I am currently working to build an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization
Publications "Be the Healers" (considering next steps for addressing the Abu Ghraib scandal), July 2004 edition, "The Lutheran" magazine.
Also: www.christian-muslim.net; www.young-activist.blogspot.com; additional interviews and articles about me are available via Google search.
Question Hi my name is Nick Haines-Bellamy I am currently studying at the university of Canterbury in New Zealand. At the moment I am completing a research topic on World Peace. I would be extremely great full if you could help me by giving an insight into your ideas on this. This is my Question: Do you think the eutopian ideal of world peace is achievable and if so how? if not why not?
Kind Regards
Nick
Answer Hi Nick, and thanks for your question. I tend to think that the 'Utopian' ideal of peace is not acheivable, because its most common understanding is that there will be no conflict. However, where there are two beings, there will always be conflict. Of course, not all conflict is bad--when handled properly, it can lead to cooperation and new bridges between previously isolated individuals/groups. Still, I do believe that much of our violent, damaging conflict could be reduced through equitable application of current human rights law, and the continual seeking out of better policy.
