Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal. -Martin Luther King Jr.

Profile Information

Favorite website: http://www.linkedin.com/in/katherineaustin

When it comes to peace, how would you describe yourself?: I am a pacifist

What do you believe are the 'burning issues' today?: Poverty, Education, Our Planet, Human Rights

What must we overcome to achieve peace?: Greed

More: While religious extremists have always engaged in violence, their numbers have not been large. In the worst conflicts that have affected the greatest numbers of people, from the US invasion of Iraq to the forced recruitment of child soldiers and atrocities in Africa, greed and the lust for power seem to be the driving forces for conflict. The fear and prejudice that lead to violence spring from the belief that someone else is going to take away or harm what you possess. And fear and prejudice have so often been manipulated by leaders, from Hitler to George Bush, in order to further their own agendas of greed and power.

In addition to redressing economic imbalances, education is so very crucial. The greatest shock to me, on becoming a parent, has been that children are not born loving, peaceful, and unselfish! (lol) We must guide them, and show them by our own actions how to be kind and unafraid. This is where education becomes so important, as not all parents are equipped to teach their children in this way. Education also increases understanding, which in turn alleviates fear.

I think that the international community must unite in condemning those governments who do not protect and nurture their people. Is this naive?

Can we change the world?: Definitely

More about me: After years of striving for career success, I've begun to seek a simpler life, one in which I have the time and energy to do the work I really care about (which includes trying to teach my own very rowdy, intense son to be kind and generous). Have won a few prizes for poetry, am writing a book on stem cell research and a television pilot, and am working on a couple of novels. I also work frequently as a freelance journalist, and as a consultant and analyst in biotechnology and cleantech (sustainable energy, "green" technologies, water issues, etc.)

(I guess I should add that my husband is a member of the IPCC, which won the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in '07. I'm hoping that by being extra nice to him and helping him focus on his work, perhaps I'm adding a little to peace in the world!)

I moved to Canada from the U.S. fifteen years ago, and have fallen utterly in love with this place. It is a gracious, civilized country, in which kindness, peace, social justice, intelligence, wit, and reason are highly valued. I do recommend it.

Promise to respect others and refrain from spamming?: Yes

Comment Wall (30 comments)

You need to be a member of iPeace.us to add comments!

Join iPeace.us

At 12:45pm on June 17, 2010, Eva said…: Hello,

iPeace is deleted from David Califa the end of June. Here you can find a new home.

http://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/

You are cordially invited.

Warm regards, Eva

At 12:43am on May 16, 2009, omarkhayam said…: hello wise katherine austin.
all my best wishes for you
peace an dlove for you
omar

At 11:13am on February 28, 2009, Sabine Theresia said…: Dear Katherine!
I met you on Sohail's page and that made me curious about you. It's very nice to find you being so interested in education and being the mother of an intense child. That's the same with me. Our children are a unique gift for us, a wonderful challenge. Every day they help us to become more awake and aware.
Until the birth of my daughter Kara Joanna, who is 7 now, i worked as a primary school teacher. It's my strong wish to return to school soon in order to offer spaces of living awareness for the children, especially for those who got the stamp ADHD /ADD / ADS from the grown-ups in their surrounding. But the risen problems are born out of the ignorance and inability of parents and other educators, who are not able to deal with the high amount of energy, creativity, intuition, spontanity and inborn spirituality of those children. It really hurts me, seeing a lot of those brilliant souls and minds being imprisoned by the limits of the people in their surrounding.
Before being and working with those children, i have to collect some more experience and a lot of ideas and helpful tools in order to create a real good concept.
I guess your son / sun is a very intelligent, creative and intuitive child. (He must be as he has very special parents.) Please, feel invited to share your experiences and stories. When i read your profile information, i feel a strong wish to get in contact with you, so i would deeply like you to be in the circle of my friends.
Thank you, Katherine for BEING and SHARING HERE!
Sunny greeting from grey Cologne! sabine

At 7:13am on February 27, 2009, Swirling Rainbow said…: Beautiful teachers, mirrors of Light Love Awareness Consciusness.

At 5:13am on February 27, 2009, Benito el Lobo caballero de la paz said…: beauty,
i go to peru this summer for my vacation and to discuss about project too :)
kisssxxxx
benito
bonne nuit ma belle katherinexxxx

At 5:11am on February 27, 2009, Benito el Lobo caballero de la paz said…: hi lady
hum tks
i would like to discuss with directly, i just saw your link and hum i would like discuss about your carreer.
i give you my msn benoitdube66@hotmail.com
take care beauty lady
benito el lobo
xxxxxxxx