Author Archives: June Edvenson

Gorbachev’s fortunes were always in a state of thaw. His background in agriculture had pleased Communist pollsters, But his acceptance of widening freedoms he saw Flowing in the Baltic States and across their borders Resulted in his losing his grip on the Soviet Union, itself. From ‘Man of the Year’ and the Committee’s choice, toContinue reading “1990 – Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev – 2”

Gorbachev studied law in Moscow and became Politically active early in life.  His reward Was progressively gaining power and influence.  His fame Grew as he travelled for the Communist party – toward A restless Eastern Europe.  As the USSR collapsed, He had risen to power at a moment he’d not let lapse: He saw theContinue reading “1990 – Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev”

The 14th Daila Lama, Buddhist, a farmer’s son, Won for resisting the use of violence in Tibet’s struggle To regain its liberty from China after their defeat: his humble, Non-militant stance in attempted negotiations proved Unsuccessful, leading to, well, both disapproval And derision, awards and questions:  Can a strategy Of non-violence succeed when purposeful moralContinue reading “1989 – The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso”

Since 1956, U.N. peace operations were stationed At precise conflict points. This award was made Honoring a half-million in 53 nations. Negotiation And persuasion quieted conflicts where ceasefires were laid But formal peace treaties were not yet concluded. The role of this work was to ‘actively protect’ – to subdue The tensions of those withContinue reading “1988 – The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces”

Oscar Arias Sanchez, then President of Costa Rica Received this award for his work in generating a treaty Designed to build Peace between five Central American nations. Lack of freedom, poverty, insecurity and repression Were part of the lives of over 25 million in this area. Conflict gave way to a more open and trustingContinue reading “1987 – Oscar Arias Sanchez”

Elie Wiesel was sent with his family to die By the Germans, in the Holocaust of Hitler’s intolerance. From Wiesel’s liberation onward, his clarion cry Was always to prevent ‘contributory negligence:’* He became a writer and wrote of the camp’s atrocities, Not simply to witness man’s barbarous treatment of man, But to awake in allContinue reading “1986 – Elie Wiesel”

As nations developed nuclear weapons while saying This ‘helped’ their security, others who knew were laying A scientific and medical foundation to speak the truth To power, destroy the ‘false hope’ messaging and ruse: Few can scientifically fathom the scope of destruction, Either by human limits or obfuscation.* This organization began jointly between American andContinue reading “1985 – International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War”

“Who controls the past controls the future; Who controls the present controls the past.”* By whose law, like gods, do we assign rights by stricture? On what moral precept tear families apart, aghast? Tutu saw whites shoot blacks in their own backyards, Helped initiate the demand that Mandela be released From prison for ‘political’ crimes.Continue reading “1984 – Desmond Tutu – 2”

Desmond Tutu was born in South Africa, poor. He trained as a teacher but wanted to be a doctor. Because this was not permitted, he asked, ‘What can I do?’ And a churchman he could be. A black man In apartheid’s time, he championed progressive change By non-violent means. His leadership skills ranged From buildingContinue reading “1984 – Desmond Tutu”

Lech Walesa was born in Poland and became An electrician and mechanic. He supported Student strikes, was bugged by secret police, thwarted. He worked at the Shipyards, was fired, in shame For trying to organize workers for better conditions. Men were dying, undervalued, underpaid. Imprisoned And later released, he climbed the walls to lead TheContinue reading “1983 – Lech Walesa”