International Relations: Travel, Humanitarian Aid, & Diplomatic Activities
Essays by speakers involved in international travel, humanitarian aid, or diplomatic activities.
Andrade, Víctor, 1905-
Bolivian ambassador to the United States Victor Andrade describes how he explained the concept of electricity to his son, and states his beliefs that the soul, like electricity, is an unseen force; that a moral order exists; that happiness must be based on immaterial, rather than material, means; and that all individuals are equal.
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Bartlett, Florence Dibell, 1882-1954
Philanthropist and art collector Florence Bartlett describes how her belief in the unity of humanity developed during an encounter with Bedouins in the Sahara desert, and explains her decision to create a museum of folk art, which expresses that bond of unity between peoples.
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Bowles, Chester, 1901-1986
Chester Bowles, the United States ambassador to India, describes his belief that an adequate response to the threat of the nuclear age will require cooperation from all sectors of humanity, and that the issue of world poverty must be addressed.
Bunche, Ralph J. (Ralph Johnson)
African American Ralph Bunche, 1950 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Director of the Trusteeship Division of the United Nations, describes being raised by his grandmother Nana, and states the beliefs that she passed along to him, including faith in God and the dignity of all persons.
Button, Dick, 1929-
Figure skater Dick Button describes how, during a skating exhibition in Prague in 1948, he was showered with oranges wrapped in messages from the Czech people, messages which underscored his belief in the importance of political freedom.
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Carlson, William S. (William Samuel), 1912-
William Carlson, President of the State University of New York, describes how his experience of living with an Inuit family in Greenland disproved his belief of belonging to a superior race, and he states his beliefs in the brotherhood of humanity, the virtue of patience, the need for self-evaluation, the unity of family, and the method of science.
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Compton, Wilson Martindale, 1890-1967
Diplomat and educator Wilson Compton describes the influence of his Presbyterian parents on his beliefs (including his mother’s child-rearing philosophy of “The Bible, soap, and spinach”) and explains how the Golden Rule is a concept found in all of the major world religions.
Cranston, Ruth
Author and lecturer Ruth Cranston describes how a period of questioning and her world travels helped her to develop a set of beliefs which she found common to all religions: the unity of life; the interdependence of humanity; and the need to love and serve others, protect the weak, and live a non-violent life.
Day, George Martin
George Day, former YMCA and Red Cross representative in Russia and professor emeritus of Occidental College, describes his belief in the equality of all races, in the brotherhood of humanity, in a personal God, and in the potential for Russian and American peoples to live in harmony.
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Grady, Henry Francis, 1882-1957
Diplomat Henry Grady describes some of his experiences as a diplomat, particularly during race riots in India between Hindus and Muslims, and explains why to live a good life with dignity one must follow the Golden Rule and “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.”
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Hammarskjöld, Dag, 1905-1961
Swedish Secretary General of the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld describes his beliefs in the value of self-sacrifice and service to country and humanity, in the equality of individuals, in the importance of intellectual honesty, and in the rewards of selfless love and duty.
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Heller, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Heller, founder of the “Share Your Birthday” movement, describes how her experiences with receiving and giving small gifts led her to believe that giving helps people come to know one another and reduces conflict between them; this belief led her to found the “Share Your Birthday” movement in an effort to promote international peace through the act of children sharing toys with other children across the world.
Helms, Paul H.
Businessman Paul Helms describes his work with the Ford Foundation, as well as the impact his Christian upbringing has had on his beliefs, including his belief that giving 10% of his income results in tangible blessings.
Holliday, Kate
War correspondent Kate Holliday describes people she has met, both in her hometown and through her travels around the world, and states her beliefs in the brotherhood of humanity, in the right to freedom of worship, and in the Golden Rule.
Hoskins, Lewis M., 1916-2011
Lewis Hoskins, Executive Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, recalls a time when he was taken prisoner by a Chinese soldier while providing humanitarian aid and his ability to find a common humanity and brotherliness with his captor that disarmed the fear and violence of the situation.
Jacob, Betty
Betty Jacob describes her belief in the brotherhood of humanity, her disillusionment, and the final reaffirmation of her belief sparked by her work with international citizens via the United Nations.
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Katz, Milton, 1907-1995
Milton Katz, Associate Director of the Ford Foundation, Chief of the United States Marshall Plan, and Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, describes how his experiences in another culture caused him to question the universal nature of his own values, but his reaction to world powers such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union led him to conclude that his values of freedom and justice and charity were true, after all.
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Kyrou, Alexēs Adōnidos, 1901-1969
Greek diplomat Alexis Kyrou explains the confluence of belief and knowledge and the importance of his Greek heritage to his beliefs and enumerates what some of these beliefs are: cooperation, the importance of a spiritual life, patriotism, and respect for others.
Murray, Gilbert
Gilbert Murray, a professor of Greek and poetry, describes the religious importance of poetry in his life and how his experiences in WWI guided his efforts to prevent future war in his work with the League of Nations and beyond.
Notowidigdo, Moekarto, 1911-
Indonesian Foreign Minister Moekarto Notowidigdo describes being in jail during the Indonesian push for independence, and witnessing the camaraderie of prisoners from all socioeconomic statuses, which led them to sing the Indonesian National Anthem during an execution.
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Pickett, Clarence
Clarence Pickett, Executive Secretary of American Friends Service Committee, describes his experience in the Korean War during negotiations and how a meditation center highlighted the common humanity in all sides, and all people.
Romulo, Carlos P. (Carlos Peña), 1899-1985
Carolos Romulo, Ambassador to the United States from the Philippines, describes his belief in being true to himself despite the cost, exemplified by his inability to be with his family while he operated the broadcast Voice of Freedom during WWII and in his decision to withdraw his candidacy for president of the Philippines in order to help a candidate who shared his values win the election.
Runbeck, Margaret Lee, 1905-1956
Author Margaret Runbeck describes her trip to India to combat illiteracy, and her belief that there is a spiritual revival underway, as people realize that rational intelligence alone cannot prevent “global suicide.”
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Spender, Percy
Australian ambassador to the United States, Percy Spenders explains how and why it is important for people to consider the future one is leaving for the following generation and states his belief that it is our duty to create a better world in which the next generation can live without fear.
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Underhill, Irvin Windfield, 1896-1982
Reverend Irvin Underhill, manager of the Richard Allen Homes public housing project, believes that good things can come out of adversity when one keeps faith and he recalls an experience in Africa in which fear and danger led him to peace and tranquility.
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Vansittart, Robert Gilbert Vansittart, Baron, 1881-1957
Diplomat Lord Vansittart describes his belief that there is no compromise possible between good and evil, and that an individual must make a stand against evil.
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Worthington, E. Barton (Edgar Barton), 1905-
Scientist Dr. Edgar Worthington describes his belief in the mutability of beliefs and how his personal beliefs evolved out of traditional religious dogma into a wider appreciation for nature and beauty and principles irrespective of doctrine. He also describes his perspective of Africa as an European immigrant to the country.
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