On Wednesday August 12th, 2015, KARAMAH’s LLSP class of 2015 were ready to utilize their new skills from the previous two-day conflict resolution workshop to discuss diplomacy, to debate, and to discuss potential roads to progress in their community. Students heard from Dean Robert Destro about his diplomacy work and the interfaith outreach he has done on behalf of the United States. Dean Destro described the work he has done with Dr. al-Hibri as well as with representatives from Iran, Iraq, and other governments, emphasizing the necessity of cultural understanding and respect in his work. He focused on the ways in which faith and an open mind are in diplomacy work, saying, “don’t let anyone talk you out of bringing your religion to the front, because that’s the language that people in your society speak, so…you’ve got to speak to them in a language they understand.” He recognized that people will not always be on the same page regarding certain issues. However, he advised participants: “if you know that there’s a particularly bad actor in some ministry, you should go have coffee with them…that’s why God sent you, to be the gift, to show them how to do the right thing.” Dean Destro opened up the floor to a discussion of ways participants could deal with tensions, as well as his own experiences. Participants gladly utilized their skills from the past two days of conflict resolution workshops, while opening their minds to the unique wisdom Dean Destro could share with them.
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